I’m an influencer and was brutally trolled for becoming a homeowner at 21 – I wanted fans to see I’m normal but people accused me of bragging

• Katylee Bailey, from Bradford, felt ‘guilty’ for celebrating her house purchase
• READ MORE: Influencer breaks down in tears after facing a backlash 

An influencer who faced backlash from her TikTok followers for boasting that she had bought her first home at the age of 21 has revealed she wanted people to see she was ‘normal’.

Katylee Bailey, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, posted a video in April celebrating that she managed to buy a house outright and is mortgage-free despite her young age. 

But not everyone was happy, with some users saying pointing out that they work full-time and cannot afford to be a homeowner. 

Speaking to Fox News she said: ‘People were saying that I was bragging, showing off, the hate just got worse and worse and worse to the point where I felt guilty for doing such a big accomplishment within my life.

‘I wanted to feel secure in my life, to have that security, I did such a big thing and people still decided that they wanted to bring me down.’ 

Katylee Bailey, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, who faced backlash from her TikToK followers for boasting that she had bought her first home at 21 reveals she felt ‘guilty’

In the controversial clip the influencer held a champagne bottle with confetti inside, which she popped before cheering, and captioned the clip: ‘Biggest achievement of my life. Here’s to my new chapter.’

In the new interview, Katylee – who dropped out of university to become an influencer – said that she used to have to borrow money from family to pay for food. However, she now claims she’s been able to help her loved ones out financially.

Although Katylee admits that her job isn’t a standard ‘9-5’ role, she says she still has all the responsibilities of running her own business as she hit back at trolls who said it wasn’t a ‘real job’.

Katylee said she even ‘struggled’ to actually move into the house because of the amount of hateful comments she received.

She added: ‘I wanted people to grow with me. I just wanted to show people that [influencers] can have a big following but still be normal.’ 

At the time one commenter wrote: ‘So sad the people that work the least get this and people putting their life on the line can barely afford heating.’

Another commented: ‘Lucky you, here I am paying 2 grand in rent every month because I am not eligible for a mortgage despite working 40 hours a week.’

Katylee then made a second video where she sobbed to her followers about the comments she had been getting. 

Katylee posted a video in April celebrating that she managed to buy a house outright and is mortgage-free despite her young age

Katylee then made a second video where she sobbed to her followers about the comments she had been getting

Katylee said she even ‘struggled’ to actually move into the house because she felt such a heavy weight on her shoulders after all the hate

The Telegraph and Argus reported that Katylee first started her TikTok ‘as a bit of fun’ but now earns up to £1,000 per video she posts. She dropped out of university to pursue social media as her full-time career

She said: ‘I just wanted to come on here to say that I’m sorry to anyone who feels like I’m bragging about the house thing. 

‘Yes, the system is absolutely f***ed, I will never get my head around the fact that I’ve become so lucky.’

The Telegraph and Argus reported that Katylee first started her TikTok ‘as a bit of fun’ but now earns up to £1,000 per video she posts. She dropped out of university to pursue social media as her full-time career. 

Katylee continued by saying: ‘But believe or not, as much as some of you guys don’t wanna understand this, I do actually work and let me tell you something, social media is so mentally draining. 

‘I know there are many people out there who work their a***s off. I genuinely did just fall lucky with social media.

‘And yes my family have given me an amazing life. But I didn’t get brought up with money, so to be able to achieve such a big thing at 21-years-old, I’m just so grateful.

Some users took to the comments to express how they felt about Katylee’s video – with some saying they work full time and still can’t afford to buy a house

‘It’s not me bragging, it’s me being so proud of myself. I think if anyone else had the opportunity, they’d do it.’

Katylee went through a breakup with another TikTok influencer, Grace Waites, after they decided to call their 21-month relationship quits. 

She continued: ‘It’s like people think I’m not human or something, I actually have other things going on in my life and I’m getting brought down for something that I am genuinely so proud of myself for.

She then wiped some tears from her eyes and said ‘sorry’, with a semi-giggle. 

Katylee continued by saying: ‘I would just like to say a massive to all my family and friends and supporters.

‘It’s down to everyone’s love and support that I’ve been able to get to where I am today. 

‘Yeah everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but don’t bring someone else down just to make you feel better about yourself.

‘Unfortunately in this day and age, it’s like people say you’ve got to think smarter not harder, and I still can’t get my head around the fact that I’ve become this lucky.’

She continued by saying: ‘If you don’t like it don’t watch it because I’m going to be building IKEA flatpacks tomorrow and guess what? I’m recording it.

TikTok users flooded to the comments to send Katylee support and told her not to be sorry about the situation

‘Why? Because I want to, so f*** all you haters and to all my supporters, I love you all.’

The video racked up 675,000 views and more than 70,000 likes, with users taking to the comments section to send their support.

One user said: ‘Do not apologise!!! People are so sad within their own lives they can’t be happy for others. Congrats babes your doing so well and should be so proud.’

Another wrote: ‘It’s pure jealousy. Ignore it. Well done.’

A third penned: ‘Ignore everybody being negative and keep doing great hunny!! Keep your chin up.’

But the TikToker revealed she has decided not to let social media ‘haters’ bring her down.

Adding: ‘I think what I’ve learned from doing social media is you’re never going to make everyone happy.’

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