At just 22, Lauren Whelan reflects on her rapid rise to fame and the challenges of being an influencer, including a public breakup and navigating online negativity.
Lauren Whelan, a 22-year-old from Carlow, Ireland, first ventured into the world of social media when she downloaded TikTok in 2018. Since then, she has amassed over 1.7 million followers on the platform, where she shares her life and engages with fans through her username @laurenwhelxn. In addition, she has 132,000 followers on Instagram.
As the latest Goss Cover Star, Lauren candidly discusses her swift ascent to fame, detailing both the advantages and challenges that come with being in the public eye. Recognized for her lively 'Get Ready With Me' (GRWM) videos and personal vlogs, she has earned a reputation as a relatable figure among her followers, who feel connected to her journey.
Despite her popularity, Lauren has faced significant personal challenges, especially this year, as she navigated a very public breakup with fellow content creator Shane Morgan. She acknowledges that public perceptions of her can be skewed, stating, 'Everyone thinks I’m a b***h,' a misrepresentation she believes stems from online haters. Behind her signature auburn hair and trendy tattoos lies a young woman who has previously dealt with severe bullying during her school years.
Despite the negativity, Lauren remains resilient. Her journey as a full-time content creator began somewhat accidentally. Her first TikTok video was set to a Charli XCX song, made when she was just 16 years old. During her Transition Year in school, she found herself with ample free time to create content, which led to a rapid increase in followers, reaching 50,000 by Christmas of that year.
Lauren’s breakthrough came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed her to focus on content creation full-time. '2020 was the year I was supposed to do my Leaving Cert. I had so much time on my hands, and I just pumped out the videos, and I just took off there,' she explained.
One of the pivotal moments in her career was joining Ireland’s first TikTok house, The Go House, which was designed to boost the productivity of its residents through collaborative content creation. Although it lasted only three months, Lauren enjoyed her time there, humorously recalling how the house received eggs thrown at it after its location was revealed.
With the pandemic causing many to turn to social media for entertainment, Lauren found that it significantly contributed to her rise. 'I absolutely believe the pandemic aided my success,' she stated, attributing the increased time for content creation to her growing follower count.
Family is essential to Lauren, who lives at home in Carlow and has 13 tattoos, with her favorite dedicated to her grandmother. While she acknowledges that her family rarely appears in her videos, she clarified that it is not a conscious decision. 'I just feel like I don’t really want to rely on my parents for content and stuff all the time,' she said.
As an influencer, Lauren is no stranger to negative comments. Following her breakup and the launch of her podcast, 'Under the Influencer,' she faced increased trolling. 'I haven’t really gotten too much trolling up until recently... But now I’ve just switched my mentality into realizing that people that give you any sort of hate online, they genuinely just have nothing else to do,' she remarked.
Lauren's breakup with Shane Morgan in April marked one of the lowest points in her life. The public's interest in their relationship and subsequent split led to widespread speculation and scrutiny. 'Obviously it’s tough going through a breakup, never mind having so many people invested in it online,' she shared, noting that the reaction affected her mental health significantly.
Reflecting on the breakup, Lauren expressed that while it was a difficult time, she has since moved forward. 'That was a very low point in my life, and my mental health was really, really affected by that. But again, we’ve moved on,' she said.
Despite the challenges, Lauren is not currently seeking new relationships, humorously stating, 'I’m sworn off men for the foreseeable future.' She expressed a desire to enjoy her independence and focus on herself for the time being.
When discussing the public's perception of her, Lauren believes there is a significant amount of begrudgery in Ireland regarding influencers. 'Irish people 100% suffer from tall poppy syndrome. We cannot be happy for people,' she commented, noting that whenever she attempts something new, she often faces criticism.
Her podcast, which she co-hosts with fellow influencer Miriam Mullins, has also received mixed reactions. 'I feel like the general Irish community is just so negative towards people that are trying something new,' she observed, emphasizing that she does not understand the negativity surrounding others' pursuits.
Looking ahead, Lauren has ambitious career goals, including a desire to start her own fashion brand. 'My end goal is to have my own fashion brand,' she revealed, while also mentioning her dream to attend Fashion Week with a prominent label.
As she reflects on her journey, Lauren remains committed to her influencer career. 'I will literally do this until my dying breath. I absolutely love this job,' she stated, underscoring her passion for content creation and the community she has built.
In her personal life, Lauren is contemplating moving out of her family home, believing it will help her grow and develop further. 'The next big thing for me is hopefully just moving out,' she said, also expressing a desire to travel more extensively in the coming years.
With her determination and resilience, Lauren Whelan continues to navigate the complexities of influencer life while remaining focused on her goals and personal growth.
