Bullied Teen's Viral TikTok Inspires Homecoming Comeback

In September 2025, high school senior Kaylee posted a candid TikTok video about her reluctance to attend her school's homecoming dance. In the video, the 17-year-old explained that she had worn the same dress to the dance every year and didn't feel like going after having negative experiences in the past, including being "bullied" and having other girls "make fun of" her dress.

The TikTok went viral, amassing over 19.4 million views, as Kaylee opened up about her difficult high school years. She shared that she had been bullied her "whole life" for "being small" and had struggled to find friends, often sitting alone at lunch. After a particularly bad experience at her ninth-grade homecoming, Kaylee decided to skip the dance the following year.

However, the overwhelming support from kind internet strangers inspired Kaylee to attend the dance after all. Several people, including a user named Kaiti, reached out to offer Kaylee dresses for the event so she had something new to wear. Even some brands and celebrities showed their support for Kaylee, letting her know they were rooting for her.

With a newfound sense of confidence and Kaiti's dress, Kaylee walked into the dance with her head high alongside her two brothers. While the experience was "kind of crazy" as she became a viral TikTok star, Kaylee says the dance went "pretty good" and that she's grateful for the support she received from her online community.