Why Gen Z Is So Here for Trisha Paytas’s Redemption Arc

After a decade in the spotlight, Trisha Paytas has fallen to cancel culture a handful of times. But somehow she still remains a star, with 10.8 million followers and over one billion likes on TikTok. Just a few years ago, Trisha was posting videos crying on her kitchen floor, explaining her worries of being unlovable and alone for the rest of her life. But now, just five years later, she is happily married with three children and a loving fanbase. So who is the woman who has been outcast from social media so many times — and how is she now a fan favorite despite it all?

Her surprising popularity with Gen Z came up during a recent SheKnows Teen Council focus group, where members raved about her unexpected longevity and iconic weirdness. “She’s really funny, and she’s been around for a long time,” said Carson, 17.

Quite simply put, she’s kooky. Social media has labeled her as iconic for her many surprising choices and side quests. Even before she was known for her social media presence, our generation watched her appear on My Strange Addiction for tanning, Guinness World Records Gone Wild for fastest talking, and even a quick cameo on Modern Family. She then grew popularity on YouTube for her karaoke covers and infamous stories from the kitchen floor.

Now, however, she’s known on TikTok, where her fans watch family content and, most recently, anxiously awaited the announcement of her third child and his name — another topic our focus group (and her fans everywhere) were quick to hone in on. Greta, 17, filled in anyone not in the know: “Have you heard her children’s names? Malibu Barbie, her daughter named Elvis, and then Aquaman, who was just born. Aquaman’s a boy, but she did say the name was gender neutral.”

Of course, no Trisha Paytas baby announcement would be complete without reviving the internet’s favorite running joke: that every time she gives birth, a major celebrity dies. The so-called Trisha Paytas Baby Theory is all over TikTok. Her firstborn’s birth coincided with the death of Queen Elizabeth, her second coincided with the death of the Pope, and now little Aquaman’s arrival was announced around the same time the world lost Ozzy Osbourne. What started as a bizarre coincidence has now become an iconic part of her lore, just another thing to keep her oddly relevant (in the most Trisha way possible).

It’s no surprise that Gen Z is quick to cancel well-known social media influencers, but it’s rare for one to return after not just one rejection, but many. It seems, though, that her past missteps have been long forgotten to make way for her new life — one that Gen Z couldn’t be happier about. And the main reason why? Our generation has watched her young adulthood unfold: the horrible moments, the times that required growth, and her final blossom into a happy woman, confident in herself and her choices.

TikTok users are now posting videos of her growth, editing clips of her from five years ago with clips of her more recently, showing the remarkable change in her disposition and tone — and it’s going viral. Comment sections are full of supportive words:

“She has really grown as a person. I am actually low-key proud of her. No one could make a redemption arc like her.” – @shyheim_2008

“I’m gonna be honest. I used to hate Trisha. But after she had her baby and got married, I’ve grown to love her. This is definitely what she needed in her life.” – @chloe._.bartusik

“I genuinely think she just needed someone to love her correctly, and I’m so glad she got that.” – @spookyaverie

Our generation has looked past her wrongdoings — and come out on the other side to support her while understanding her faults and successes. I think what truly sets her apart from other canceled creators is that she was upfront with social media about her struggles. It was always clear that she needed growth, and it was clear that circumstances — whether it be the people she surrounded herself with or her own mental health journey — were making that growth impossible. So for once, my generation stuck with her and followed her through the good, bad, and horrible until we reached the other side.

For us, seeing her happy and thriving is a reward. Just as you would congratulate an old friend for making it out of a tough spot, we are proud of Trisha for her happy ending. And we’ll be there, following along, for her future chapters.

Interested in joining our Teen Council or learning more? Email us at teencouncil@shemedia.com.