Viral internet personality Lil Tay, real name Claire Hope, has ignited fierce debate after claiming she earned over $1 million within just three hours of launching her OnlyFans account. The 18-year-old, once dubbed “the youngest flexer of the century,” unveiled the platform debut during a TikTok Live stream shortly after midnight on her birthday, July 29, 2025.
Lil Tay stated that filming for the content began at exactly one minute past midnight, the earliest legal moment she could produce adult material. She claimed that much of the content was created for subscribers who had pre-ordered since 2023, Complex reports. Later that same day, she posted what she said were screenshots of her account earnings on X, showing gross revenue of $1,024,298.09 from subscriptions, tips, and paid messages.
Lil Tay pictured recently. Credit: X/@LilTaybepoppin
The announcement drew immediate comparisons to fellow viral star Bhad Bhabie, who also made headlines for her rapid earnings on the platform after turning 18. Lil Tay’s claim of making over $1 million in mere hours has not been independently verified, but the figure alone sparked widespread attention and controversy.
She also revealed she had turned down multi-million-dollar deals from adult entertainment companies, reportedly worth between $30–40 million, choosing instead to launch independently on her own terms.
The launch, which went live on August 2, was clearly timed to coincide with her coming of age and signals a major shift in her public image. Once known for flashy videos flaunting luxury cars and cash as a pre-teen, Lil Tay’s evolution from child influencer to adult content creator marks a stark transition.
Her brother, Jason Tian (previously involved in managing her brand) made a brief appearance during the livestream but appeared visibly uncomfortable.
The public response has been pretty divided, with some fans praising Lil Tay for reclaiming control of her narrative and monetizing her brand and others expressing concern about the ethical implications of a former child star entering the adult content industry so quickly after turning 18.
Lil Tay posted what she said were screenshots of her account earnings on OnlyFans. Credit: Instagram / @liltay
Her history has been marked by headlines, including a widely publicized 2023 death hoax that falsely reported her passing. That incident led to renewed scrutiny of her upbringing, management, and personal wellbeing.
Whether Lil Tay will continue producing adult content remains uncertain. Industry watchers have said that her OnlyFans debut has already outpaced her prior earnings from brand endorsements and viral fame. But others warn that such a rapid and provocative rebranding may come with long-term consequences.
For now, Lil Tay has re-entered the spotlight on her own terms, leaving many to wonder what comes next in this dramatic new chapter.