University of Alabama senior and Zeta Tau Alpha member Kylan Darnell has announced she is taking a “step back” from recruitment and from posting about the sorority rush craze sweeping college campuses.

Darnell, the reigning Miss Ohio Teen USA, has spent the past three years sharing an inside look at sorority life, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the “Bama Rush” phenomenon that has captivated college campuses and social media users alike. But this year, she says, will be different.

“I just wanted to come on here because I am somebody that has painted my whole college life, my whole sorority life online,” Darnell said in a TikTok video. “There’s been good and bad. But today, I’m not all dressed up for recruitment. I’ve personally decided to take a mental health day for the next three days.“

Raised in Ohio, far from the deep-rooted Southern sorority traditions, Darnell admitted she arrived at the University of Alabama with little understanding of rush.

A former Miss Ohio Teen USA, Kylan Darnell says joining a sorority helped her find community and confidence far from home. (Kylan Darnell)

Darnell said her decision to “take a couple steps back” is to protect her own peace.

“I personally feel that if I was to post this year and to promote it (rush), then I would be doing those girls an injustice,” Darnell explained. 

“Now I’m not saying don’t rush. I loved it. But I’m just saying that I’m in a mental health spot where I’ve been struggling. I can’t go online this year and I won’t lie to you guys about it. I’ve just not been enjoying it. I’ve not been having fun.” 

Support poured in from followers, with one commenter praising her “integrity at such a young age” and another writing, “Always choose you and what’s best for you. Your TikTok fam has your back!”

Darnell said while she is still an active member of her sorority, she will take the next three days off from posting online and helping with recruitment to help her little sister with rush and enjoy time with her family.

“My family’s here, my friends are here and I’m gonna help my little sister go through recruitment because I can already tell it’s gonna be really hard for her. That is why I’m not participating this morning. I just need a break because I can’t lie to myself anymore this week because I’m really struggling with it. Anyway, I love you all.” 

Bid Day for thousands of Alabama sorority hopefuls is set for August 17, but this year, Darnell will be watching from the sidelines, prioritizing peace over performance.