Transgender influencer born without arms or legs says online hate “pays her bills”

Briel Adams-Whitley, 26, a transgender influencer born without arms or legs, has revealed that negative comments online no longer hurt her—they actually help pay her bills. The social media star first went viral during the pandemic with makeup videos, and now she has turned online hate into income.

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During lockdown, Briel’s life changed dramatically. A motivational tour she had been preparing for years was canceled, leaving her at home with no plans. “I thought, why not film a makeup video?” she recalls.

The video quickly gained popularity—but alongside the views came questions. Audiences wondered why she didn’t use her hands. That’s when Briel made a bold decision: she revealed the truth—she was born without limbs. That moment proved pivotal, earning her millions of views and a growing audience.

Briel says her confidence developed over years. Her adoptive mother encouraged independence from a young age, even when it was challenging. Later, Briel began showing the world that she was more than “a girl in a wheelchair.” In school, she performed in dance routines and eventually choreographed her own shows.

Around the same time, she discovered makeup—a new avenue for self-expression. Over time, Briel developed her own unique technique for applying cosmetics without hands.

In 2020, she met her future husband, Adam, who supported her during a crucial moment: deciding to openly share her transgender identity. She came out publicly on social media in 2023. “When I posted that video, I finally felt like I could breathe. The world saw the real me,” she says.

Early on, online negativity hit hard. “I used to cry in the bathroom over comments,” Briel admits. But her perspective has shifted: “Now I think, thank you, you’re paying my bills.”

Today, Briel uses her social media presence not just for fame, but to challenge perceptions. She notes that many people still mistakenly link physical disability with intellectual limitations. “People are shocked when they realize I’m completely independent,” she says.

Looking ahead, Briel is focused on new goals: becoming the face of a cosmetic brand, publishing a book before turning 30, and expanding her online platform. “I have so much more ahead of me,” she says.