Lil Tay, the controversial internet star who first went viral as a child flaunting luxury cars and stacks of cash, is once again at the center of a heated debate—this time over comments she made about women working traditional nine-to-five jobs. Now 18 years old and recently launched on OnlyFans, the content creator is doubling down on her belief that education and conventional careers are pointless, insisting that true success lies in following her path.
A Bold, Divisive Statement
Tay Tian, better known as Lil Tay, officially joined OnlyFans in July, just after her 18th birthday. Shortly after, she posted a video with a message that immediately ignited backlash across social media.
“If you’re over the age of 25 and you’re still working a 9 to 5, you are a failure,” she declared. “By then, you should’ve already made your bag.”
Her words were paired with encouragement for women to abandon traditional careers and instead embrace platforms like OnlyFans as a route to quick wealth. “Ladies, every single one of you should drop the link, like me. Literally, just make your bag. Who cares what anybody thinks?” she added.
Family Fallout and Personal Choices
Tay also revealed that her decision to join OnlyFans caused major conflict within her family. According to her, relatives “disowned” her and even forced her to leave home. “They don’t talk to me anymore. But who cares? I can literally buy their whole life if I wanted to. I’m good,” she said, brushing off the estrangement.
Education, she claimed, was never part of her plan. “Harvard was never gonna help me make eight figures,” she said. “That’s why I dropped out of it, and I dropped the link instead.”
Critics Clap Back
Her remarks quickly drew intense criticism, especially from women proud of their careers in medicine, education, and other professional fields. One nurse responded, “Being a nurse means I’m a failure? I work 8–5 in outpatient oncology, treating cancer patients. I like to think I’m not a failure, and I don’t think my patients think so either.”
Others were more blunt, with one commenter writing, “Imagine calling people a failure when your entire life is an embarrassment.” Another added, “Sorry girl, but I’m going to college. Your journey isn’t everyone’s.”
Many online users accused Lil Tay of “ragebaiting”—deliberately making shocking statements to stir up controversy and attention.
The Money Claim
Despite the backlash, Lil Tay doubled down on her choice, claiming financial proof to back up her words. On Instagram, she boasted that she had earned more than $1 million within just three hours of launching her OnlyFans page on her birthday. “We broke the f**k out of that record,” she wrote.
She even promoted content shot just minutes after midnight on her birthday, calling it exclusive and time-limited. This bold marketing style only added to the firestorm surrounding her.
From “Youngest Flexer” to Adult Content Creator
Lil Tay is no stranger to controversy. Back in 2018, she became an internet sensation at just 10 years old with her profanity-filled videos where she flaunted designer clothes, luxury cars, and cash. She famously referred to herself as “the youngest flexer of the century” and once claimed her bathroom fixtures “cost more than your rent.”
Her antics drew criticism even then. Rapper Snoop Dogg was one of the many voices urging her to step back, saying she needed to be in school “learning how to be a little girl, not a dumb grown person.”
Behind the scenes, her mother reportedly borrowed her boss’s Mercedes-Benz for one of Tay’s videos, which ultimately cost her the job.
Past Scandals and Public Drama
In 2023, Lil Tay’s name resurfaced after a shocking and false announcement of her death appeared on her Instagram account, which also mentioned her brother. The story quickly unraveled, with Tay later clarifying that her account had been hacked. She called the ordeal “a very traumatizing 24 hours,” describing how she received heartbreaking calls from loved ones before she could clear up the situation.
Another OF Star Adds Fuel to the Fire
Lil Tay isn’t the only OnlyFans creator stirring controversy. Bonnie Blue, a 26-year-old from England, also faced backlash after leaving her traditional office job to create explicit content in Australia. She claimed to earn between £600,000 and £1.5 million per month, but her career took a darker turn after she promoted an “extreme challenge” event involving thousands of men. The platform shut her account down for violating its rules.
The Bigger Picture
Lil Tay’s comments have sparked a broader cultural conversation about money, success, and societal expectations. To some, she represents the new generation’s willingness to reject traditional paths like higher education and steady jobs in favor of fast money and online fame. To others, she embodies the dangers of glorifying instant wealth without acknowledging the value of hard work, purpose, or stability.
While Lil Tay insists she has “made it” and encourages others to follow her lead, her statements continue to divide audiences. For every fan praising her independence and hustle, there are countless critics defending education, traditional careers, and the dignity of hard work.
Whether her words were genuine beliefs or simply a calculated move for attention, one thing is clear: Lil Tay still knows how to dominate headlines.