From beauty pageants to digital influence: the multifaceted career of Haley Kalil
In short: Before becoming a prominent social media figure, Haley Kalil navigated the high-stakes world of beauty pageants. From being crowned Miss Minnesota Teen USA to appearing in Sports Illustrated, her journey reflects the evolving landscape of modern celebrity, moving from traditional titles to global digital recognition.
Born Haley O'Brien in Excelsior, Minnesota, Kalil’s path to stardom began in the pageant circuit. At age 16, she competed in Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2009, finishing as third runner-up. She returned in 2010 to claim the Miss Minnesota Teen USA title, representing her state at the Miss Teen USA competition held in the Bahamas.
Her pageant success continued into her college years. While a senior at St. After earning a Bachelor of Science in psychology and medical biology, graduating summa cum laude from Cloud State University, she won the title of Miss Minnesota USA 2014. This victory earned her a spot in the Miss USA 2014 competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she placed in the top twenty.
Kalil transitioned into professional modeling through the Sports Illustrated Swim Search. In March 2018, she was announced as one of two winners of the competition, alongside Camille Kostek. This led to her debut as a rookie model in the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Following her 2018 contract with Wilhelmina Models New York, she declared in March 2023 that she was quitting agency representation because of bad experiences.
In the digital era, Kalil has achieved significant influence. She was named to the inaugural TIME100 Creators list in July 2025 and recognized as a Forbes top creator in both 2024 and 2025. However, her digital presence has not been without controversy; in May 2024, a TikTok video she posted was criticized as tone-deaf regarding the Gaza-Israel conflict, acting as a catalyst for the Blockout 2024 campaign.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Haley Kalil
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