Haley Kalil is one of the few creators who has built a second career that is bigger than her first. She started as a Sports Illustrated model and pageant winner. Today she is a viral comedy creator with more than 23 million followers, the host of the Netflix competition series Win the Mall, and the defendant who won a privacy lawsuit brought by her ex-husband, former NFL lineman Matt Kalil. This guide covers her background, career, marriage and divorce, the lawsuit, her current relationship and the income behind her net worth.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Haley Baylee Kalil (née O’Brien) |
| Nickname/Stage Name | Haley Baylee, haleyybaylee |
| Date of Birth | August 6, 1992 |
| Place of Birth | Minnesota, USA |
| Age | 34 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Profession/Occupation | Model, content creator, comedian, TV host |
| Years Active | 2014 – present |
| Education | St. Cloud State University (Medical Biology / Biomedical Sciences, summa cum laude) |
| Genre/Field | Comedy, satire, lifestyle, fashion |
| Spouse/Partner | Matt Kalil (m. 2015; div. 2022) |
| Dating/Relationship Status | In a relationship (partner’s name not public, revealed August 2026) |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | Estimated in the multi-million-dollar range (figures vary) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in |
| Notable Works | Win the Mall (Netflix), SI Swimsuit Issue, E! red carpet hosting |
| Awards/Honors | Miss Minnesota USA 2014, SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year, TIME100 Creators 2025, Streamy nomination |
| Social Media | TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads (@haleyybaylee) |
Haley Kalil’s Early Life and Education
Haley was born on August 6, 1992, and was born and raised in Minnesota. Before modeling was even an option, she was a science-focused student. She has said she was teased at school for being a geek, and for her height, which reached 5 ft 8 in.
She grew up admiring fashion magazines and idolized the models in them. But that world felt out of reach for a girl from Minnesota with no industry connections. In a 2020 podcast, she recalled being laughed at when she said she wanted to model.
Instead, she followed the academic path. She studied medical biology (biomedical sciences) at St. Cloud State University and graduated summa cum laude. Her plan was medical school, and the entertainment industry was not part of it.
That background still shows in her work. Her comedy is sharp and detailed, and it often looks at the beauty industry from the outside. In my experience reviewing creator profiles, a strong non-entertainment education is often what gives a comedian a distinct angle, and that holds true for her.
From Pageants to Sports Illustrated Modeling
Haley’s modeling career began through pageants and small local jobs, not through a big agency. She did commercial modeling in her home state while still thinking about medicine. Pageants gave her stage experience and her first public profile.
Miss Minnesota USA 2014
In 2014, she was crowned Miss Minnesota USA. The title gave her visibility in the state and a reason to take modeling seriously. It also brought interest from agencies that had not noticed her before.
Pageants taught her how to speak on camera, how to handle interviews and how to stay composed under pressure. Those skills later became the base of her red carpet hosting work.
After her reign, she kept modeling locally. At this stage it was a side career, not her main plan.
The SI Swim Search and Haley Kalil Bikini Fame
Her big break came from Sports Illustrated’s open casting call, the SI Swim Search. Like many hopefuls, she did not succeed on her first attempt and was rejected before she was selected. She has said the experience changed her life.
In 2019, she made it through the Swim Search, and the following year she was named SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year. Her Swimsuit Issue shoots are the source of most “Haley Kalil bikini” searches. They are professional editorial images from her SI era.
That SI fame made her a recognized name. It also built the early audience she later took to social media. The open casting route matters: she earned her place through a public competition, not through industry contacts.
How Haley Kalil Became a Viral Comedy Creator
Haley’s shift to social media began during the pandemic, when modeling work slowed. She moved to TikTok and began posting regularly. That move, from model to creator, is what made her famous worldwide.
Her early content leaned on her model image, and much of her early audience was men. She soon changed direction. She began making satirical skits and parodies of pop culture tropes, such as the “girl with a phone” bit and over-the-top influencer behavior. Her audience shifted toward women, who connected with her relatable storytelling.
Several viral moments boosted her reach. These include her apartment tour with Caleb Simpson in New York City, a Jared Leto sketch that drew millions of views, and a slime-inspired outfit at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. She has also made collaborations with the Jonas Brothers, Ed Sheeran and Courteney Cox.
The industry recognized her work. She was named to the TIME100 Creators list in 2025 and earned a Streamy nomination. She also spoke at the 2025 Creator Marketing Summit about building a brand without over-corporatizing it.
Haley Kalil’s Social Media Following
Her follower counts change constantly, but recent figures look like this:
| Platform | Approximate Followers |
|---|---|
| TikTok | 16+ million |
| 9 to 10 million | |
| Snapchat | 1.6 million |
| Threads | 1.3 million |
Her combined audience is well over 23 million. That spread matters. Algorithm shifts can hurt creators who rely on a single platform, and her presence across several apps protects her.
Her tone is tongue-in-cheek and easy to share. That is why her content spreads well beyond her niche into general internet culture.
Red Carpet Hosting and TV Work
Her comedy following led directly to hosting work. She became a regular face at major award shows, interviewing celebrities for outlets such as E! News and Variety. Her style mixes real questions with the playful energy her fans expect.
Her hosting credits cover some of the biggest events in entertainment:
- Academy Awards (Oscars)
- Grammys
- Golden Globes, including the 2026 Golden Globes
- Tony Awards
- E! pre-Met Gala red carpet coverage
She has also taken small acting roles, including Christmas in the Spotlight and The Weapon, and appeared on Let’s Marry Harry: The Reunion. These are side projects. Her main TV value is still her hosting and personality.
The biggest step in her TV career is Win the Mall on Netflix, which is covered below. It is her move from guest host to the face of her own series.
Haley Kalil’s Ex-Husband: Marriage and Divorce With Matt Kalil
Haley Kalil’s ex-husband is Matt Kalil, a former NFL offensive tackle. The Minnesota Vikings drafted him fourth overall in the 2012 draft. They met while both were rising public figures in Minnesota and married in 2015.
The marriage lasted nearly seven years. During that time, her SI fame and her online career grew quickly, and she took on the Kalil name that she still uses professionally. They had no children.
They divorced in 2022. Haley has said the issues included different views on starting a family. She wanted kids, and he was not ready at that point. She has still described him as a good person, and the split itself was quiet in public.
Matt later remarried. He married Keilani Asmus in April 2024, and the couple has a son. That new chapter became part of the later legal dispute between the two exes.
The Matt Kalil Lawsuit Explained
The lawsuit is the main reason the divorce came back into the news years later. In November 2025, Matt Kalil filed a privacy lawsuit against Haley in Minnesota federal court.
What the Lawsuit Claimed
The case centered on comments Haley made during a livestream (a Twitch stream) about their marriage. She discussed private marital details, including remarks about his anatomy and the couple’s physical incompatibility. The clips spread widely on TikTok and other platforms.
Matt’s legal team, led by attorney Ryan Saba of Rosen Saba LLP, argued that she publicized private details for profit. They said the comments brought unwanted attention and disturbing messages to him, his current wife and his family. The complaint asked for a jury trial and damages over $75,000.
The claim was framed as tortious invasion of privacy. Under this type of claim, the disclosures must be private, highly offensive and not a matter of legitimate public concern.
The Motion to Dismiss and the Ruling
Haley’s side filed a motion to dismiss. They argued that she was talking about her own life, her own marriage and her own trauma. They said that is protected free speech under the First Amendment. They also pointed out that women should be able to share their stories.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 2025 | Matt Kalil files the lawsuit |
| January 2026 | Motion to dismiss briefings filed |
| September 17, 2026 | Court dismisses the lawsuit |
Senior U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz dismissed the case. He found that her comments were about her own life and marriage with a public figure. That made them a matter of legitimate public concern rather than an actionable privacy violation. Matt’s side may still choose to appeal.
From a content point of view, this ruling is notable. It is one of the clearer examples of a court protecting a creator’s right to discuss her own past relationships, even when the commentary feels invasive to the ex-spouse.
The Met Gala “Let Them Eat Cake” Controversy
Haley’s biggest backlash came in May 2024. While working for E! at the Met Gala, she posted a video of herself lip-syncing “let them eat cake” in an 18th-century style outfit inspired by Marie Antoinette.
The timing was poor. The clip went up while pro-Palestinian protests were taking place, and many viewers saw it as tone-deaf. Online criticism was quick, and she lost followers and reach during the following weeks.
She deleted the video and posted an eight-minute apology. She also clarified that she was not invited as a guest. She was there working as a host. The episode is now often cited as a lesson in how fast context can change the meaning of a joke online.
Haley Kalil Boyfriend: Who Is She Dating Now?
In August 2026, Haley posted publicly about a new boyfriend. She has kept his name private, which marks a change from how openly she talked about her marriage.
Based on her posts, the relationship was a few months old when she announced it. She has shared small moments but not his identity, so any names circulating online should be treated as speculation.
This privacy makes sense given the lawsuit. After years of public attention on her marriage, keeping her current relationship low-key protects both her and her partner.
Win the Mall on Netflix
Win the Mall is Haley’s own competition series on Netflix, and it premieres November 18. It is her biggest project as a host.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Format | Reality competition series |
| Episodes | Eight |
| Contestants | Ten teams of two |
| Setting | A real, working mall |
| Host | Haley Kalil |
The show places contestants inside a real mall, where they compete in shopping and strategy challenges. The format plays to Haley’s strengths, combining shopping, comedy and strong personalities.
Special guests include Lilly Singh, Jonathan Van Ness, Keith Lee and Salish Matter. Each brings a different audience. That is a smart move for a show built on creator crossover appeal.
Haley Kalil Net Worth and Income Streams
There is no officially confirmed figure for Haley Kalil’s net worth, but most public estimates place it in the multi-million-dollar range. Her income comes from several sources rather than a single one, which is typical for top creators today.
Her main income streams include:
- Brand deals across TikTok and Instagram
- Amazon Live shopping streams
- Red carpet hosting fees from major award shows
- TV work, led by Win the Mall on Netflix
- Out-of-home advertising partnerships, such as LinkNYC
- Earlier modeling income from SI and commercial work
Amazon Live and Her Brand Philosophy
Amazon Live is one of her steadiest earners. In her livestreams she promotes products while chatting with viewers in the live chat, which feels closer to a community hangout than an ad.
The products reflect her real life. She promotes GREENIES treats for her three dogs and Tree Hut products for exfoliation, and she runs special holiday streams. Her rule is simple: promote what she would actually use.
She has said she avoids over-corporatizing her content. She also encourages creators to work with brands across different niches. This approach keeps her audience’s trust, and that trust is what makes brands keep paying her.
The LinkNYC Partnership
In summer 2026, Haley partnered with LinkNYC, the network of more than 4,000 digital screens across New York City. Her content appeared in public spaces across the city, not just on phones.
She has described deals like this as part of diversifying her income. Because TikTok has gone through an ownership transition, relying on one app is a risk. Offline exposure gives her a platform she does not depend on an algorithm for.
She also said she chooses partners whose values match hers. For her, the payment matters less than whether the deal makes sense for her content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Haley Kalil’s Husband Now?
Haley Kalil does not currently have a husband. Her only marriage was to Matt Kalil, which ended in 2022. She is now in a relationship with a partner whose name she has not made public.
How Old Is Haley Kalil?
Haley Kalil was born on August 6, 1992, which makes her 34 as of 2026. Her zodiac sign is Leo.
Does Haley Kalil Have Children?
No. Haley and Matt Kalil had no children during their marriage. Matt now has a son with his wife, Keilani Asmus.
Can Matt Kalil Still Appeal the Lawsuit Ruling?
Yes. A dismissal in federal court can be challenged in a higher court, so an appeal is still possible. For now, the September 2026 ruling stands in Haley’s favor.
Where Can I Watch Haley Kalil’s New Show?
Win the Mall streams on Netflix starting November 18. All eight episodes follow ten teams competing inside a real mall.
What Is Haley Kalil’s Social Media Handle?
She posts as @haleyybaylee on TikTok and Instagram. Most of her satire, sketches and brand content appear there first.
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