Bella Poarch

Early life and adoption

Bella Poarch was born Belinda Marie Macadengdeng Batumbakal on February 9, 1997, in San Fabian, Pangasinan, Philippines. Her biological parents were unable to care for her due to poverty, leading to her being raised by her grandmother in the slums until the age of three.

In 2000, she was adopted by Kenneth Taylor, an American military veteran, and his Filipina wife, Eden. Following the adoption, the family settled on a large farm in the Philippines, where Poarch spent the remainder of her childhood.

Poarch has described her upbringing in the Philippines as traumatic and abusive. In a 2021 interview on the H3 Podcast, she detailed a childhood defined by grueling manual labor and severe physical punishment. From the age of seven, she was required to wake up as early as 4: 00 a. m.

to complete farm chores, which included cleaning animal waste and sweeping the yard. She stated that her adoptive father would withhold breakfast or physically strike her if these tasks were not completed to his satisfaction.

Poarch noted that while she and her adoptive brother were subjected to this treatment, her two older adoptive sisters were exempt from hard labor and received preferential treatment.

Move to the United States

In 2010, at the age of 13, Poarch moved to the United States with her adoptive parents and brother. The relocation was precipitated by her father's need for heart bypass surgery, a procedure that required travel to the U. S. Her two older sisters, who were over the age of 18 at the time, remained in the Philippines.

The family initially stayed with an aunt in San Francisco, California, for several months before settling in Fresno.

Poarch attended high school in the Central Valley region of California. She has characterized her time in school as a important escape from her abusive home environment, even with describing herself as a "loner" with few friends. During this period, she continued to face strict controls at home, including prohibitions on extracurricular activities. She graduated from high school in Fresno at the age of 16.

Military enlistment

Seeking a permanent exit from her family home, Poarch enlisted in the United States Navy in 2017 at the age of 17. Because she was a minor, her parents were required to sign a waiver to authorize her enlistment. She later recalled that her father's parting words at the airport were telling her never to return.

This marked the conclusion of her early life under her parents' guardianship and the beginning of her independence. She served for three years as an aviation ordnanceman, with deployments in Japan and Hawaii, before transitioning to the civilian career that would lead to her social media prominence.

Military Service

In 2015, at the age of 17, Poarch enlisted in the United States Navy. She required a parental waiver to join as a minor, a decision she later described as her "only way out" of her abusive household. Her adoptive father's parting words to her as she left for recruit training were, "Don't ever come back here.

This is not your home." Following her brother's enlistment, she sought the military not only for escape to establish independence and financial stability.

Poarch completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. During boot camp, she was selected for a performing division (frequently referred to as a "900 division"), where she participated in musical performances and choir duties for graduation ceremonies. Following basic training, she attended "A" School in Pensacola, Florida, to receive specialized technical training for her rating.

Poarch served as an Aviation Ordnanceman (AO), a role responsible for the handling, storage, and assembly of airborne weapons. Her duties included the maintenance of guns, bombs, missiles, and rockets used on Navy aircraft.

Standing at approximately 5 feet tall and weighing under 100 pounds, Poarch frequently handled equipment and munitions that outweighed her. She achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class (E-4) during her tenure.

Deployments and Stations

Over the course of her four-year contract, Poarch was stationed at multiple bases in the Pacific theater. She spent of her service stationed in Japan, where she developed a deep appreciation for Japanese culture. Her final duty station was at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While stationed in Hawaii, she began to transition out of active duty, eventually settling there briefly before moving to Los Angeles.

Mental Health and Discharge

Poarch's military service was marked by severe mental health challenges. She was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during her enlistment. In a 2021 interview, she revealed that her mental state to the point of suicidal ideation, leading to a brief hospitalization in a psychiatric ward.

She credited her fellow sailors and friends in the Navy for providing a support system that helped her survive this period.

In 2023, Poarch disclosed that she was a victim of sexual assault during her year of service at age 18. She stated that she did not report the incident at the time due to fear, though colleagues noticed physical injuries.

Although she had the option to renew her contract, medical professionals advised against it due to her declining mental health. Consequently, Poarch separated from the Navy in 2019 with a medical discharge.

She has since spoken openly about the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life, noting that the structure of the military provided a sense of purpose that was initially difficult to replace. even with the hardships, she has expressed pride in her service and the discipline it instilled in her.

Social media career

Poarch created her TikTok account in January 2020, though she did not begin actively posting content until April 2020. Her early uploads focused on gaming and cosplay, frequently featuring her wearing a green Razer headset and holding a controller. On April 10, 2020, she posted her video, which later accumulated over 1. 5 million likes.

Her content strategy initially relied on the "Face Zoom" filter, which tracks the user's face to create a, bobbing effect. This visual style, combined with her "cute" and anime-inspired aesthetic, became her signature format on the platform.

On August 17, 2020, Poarch posted a video in which she lip-synced to the track "M to the B" (originally "Soph Aspin Send") by British rapper Millie B. The video, which featured her rhythmically bobbing her head and making exaggerated facial expressions, went viral immediately.

It became the most-liked video in TikTok history, amassing over 64 million likes and 2. 3 billion views. The clip's success catalyzed a massive surge in her following; she gained approximately 40 million followers between August and December 2020, averaging nearly 165, 000 new followers per day during her peak growth period.

As of February 2026, Poarch is the third most-followed individual on TikTok with over 92. 7 million followers, trailing only Khaby Lame and Charli D'Amelio. She also holds the record for the most followers of any person from the Philippines. Her social media presence extends to other platforms, including Instagram, where she has 11.

6 million followers, and YouTube, where her channel has garnered 7. 1 million subscribers. Although she launched a Twitch channel in April 2020, her activity on the streaming platform has been sporadic, with approximately 196, 000 followers.

Poarch's rapid rise was accompanied by controversy. In September 2020, viewers noticed a tattoo on her left arm resembling the Rising Sun flag, a symbol associated with Japanese imperialism and considered offensive in South Korea and other parts of Asia due to World War II atrocities.

The incident sparked the hashtag #CancelKorea in the Philippines after Korean netizens directed racial slurs at Poarch and Filipinos. Poarch issued a public apology on September 6, 2020, stating she was unaware of the symbol's historical context. She subsequently covered the tattoo and committed to educating others about the symbol's history.

Following her viral success, Poarch secured several high-profile brand partnerships. In December 2020, she participated in Moncler's #MonclerBubbleUp campaign alongside Charli D'Amelio, helping the hashtag generate over 2 billion views.

In October 2021, she signed as a brand ambassador for the gaming peripheral company HyperX, starring in campaigns for their QuadCast S microphone. She also served as an ambassador for the mobile MMORPG Ragnarok Origin in late 2021, promoting the game through cosplay and exclusive content.

These deals marked her transition from a viral content creator to a commercially viable media personality, paving the way for her subsequent music career with Warner Records.

Music Career

In May 2021, Poarch signed a recording contract with Warner Records. Her transition from social media personality to recording artist began immediately with the release of her debut single, "Build a Bitch," on May 14, 2021. The track, produced by Sub Urban, debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later peaked at number 56.

The song also reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart. The accompanying music video, directed by Andrew Donoho with creative direction by Sub Urban, featured cameos from internet personalities including Valkyrae, Mia Khalifa, Bretman Rock, and ZHC.

The video accumulated over 500 million views on YouTube, and the single received Platinum certification from the RIAA.

Following her debut, Poarch released "Inferno" in August 2021, a collaboration with producer Sub Urban. The track continued her dark pop aesthetic and addressed her experiences with sexual assault. On August 12, 2022, she released her debut extended play, Dolls.

The six-track EP included her previous singles alongside new tracks "Living Hell," "Villain," and "No Man's Land," the latter featuring Canadian musician Grimes. The title track's music video featured appearances by Grimes, Madison Beer, and Chloe Cherry.

The track "Villain" was subsequently used as the official theme song for the WWE Extreme Rules event in October 2022.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Poarch expanded her discography through collaborations and standalone singles. She partnered with American singer-songwriter Lauv for the single "Crush," released on September 15, 2023. Two months later, she released "Bad Boy!" and featured on the track "Sweet Venom" by K-pop group Enhypen.

In February 2024, she collaborated with artist 6arelyhuman on the dance-pop track "Don't Like Anybody." Her musical output continued with the release of "Sweet Delusion" on October 18, 2024, a track critics noted for its shift toward a more, indie-pop sound.

In 2025, Poarch contributed to the soundtrack for the second season of the Netflix series Wednesday. Her covers of The Cranberries' "Zombie" and Blue Öyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper" were released in August 2025. Earlier that year, she released the single " You Always Love Her?" on March 21, 2025.

Her work has garnered nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards, the People's Choice Awards for New Artist of 2021, and the iHeartRadio Music Awards for Best Music Video.

Discography and Chart Performance

Musical Style and Vocal Technique

Bella Poarch's discography is primarily categorized as "dark pop," a genre she use to juxtapose bright, melodic hooks with heavy, frequently traumatic lyrical content.

Critics and vocal analysts have noted her use of a "kawaii" or "baby voice" timbre, characterized by breathy, high-pitched delivery, which she frequently contrasts with a fuller, more resonant lower register in her verses.

Her vocal range is estimated to span approximately A#3 to E6, allowing for significant agility in her upper register, including whistle tones. This duality serves as a sonic metaphor for her public persona: the tension between the polished, "perfect" influencer image and the survivor of severe abuse.

Her production choices frequently incorporate toy pianos, lullaby-like melodies, and industrial bass lines, creating an atmosphere that Billboard described as "audacious" and "darkly comic." In a 2021 interview, Poarch Prince, Dua Lipa, and Madonna as key musical inspirations, while crediting the Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku as a primary influence on her vocal processing and visual presentation. This synthesis of Western pop structures with Eastern otaku culture elements defines her unique sonic identity.

Lyrical Themes and Narrative Arcs

Poarch's songwriting is deeply autobiographical, functioning as a method to reclaim agency over her past. Her debut single, "Build a Bitch" (2021), directly critiqued the commodification of women's bodies, using the metaphor of a "build-a-bear" factory to unrealistic beauty standards. The track's lyrics reject the notion of being "custom-made" for male consumption, a theme she expanded upon in her 2022 EP, Dolls.

The single "Inferno" (2021) addressed her experience as a survivor of sexual assault. Rather than a ballad of victimization, Poarch and collaborator Sub Urban constructed a revenge fantasy where she acts as the punisher.

In a pinned comment on the music video, she stated the visual was how she "wished her experience went," reclaiming power through artistic expression.

Similarly, "Living Hell" (2022) provided a literal window into her childhood trauma; the music video featured a yellow room identical to the one she was locked in as a child, symbolizing the inescapable nature of her PTSD. She described the song as a sonic representation of her struggle to break free from the "pattern" of abuse.

Visual Artistry and Pop Culture Influences

Poarch's visual output is characterized by high-concept world-building, heavily influenced by anime and film. She has frequently the 2011 film Sucker Punch and anime series like Naruto and One Punch Man as foundational to her aesthetic.

This is clear in her music videos, which frequently feature her in combat-ready, stylized costumes that blend "magical girl" tropes with military utilitarianism, a nod to her own background as a U. S. Navy veteran.

The "Dolls" music video (2022) exemplified this style, featuring a cinematic battle sequence that included cameos from Grimes and other digital creators. The video extended the narrative universe established in "Build a Bitch," depicting a robot revolution.

Fashion plays a serious role in this storytelling; Poarch alternates between a "Kawaii" aesthetic (pastels, pigtails) and a "Baddie" aesthetic (dark colors, leather, visible tattoos), visually representing the conflict between her perceived innocence and her resilience.

Evolution and Recent Works (2024, 2025)

By 2024, Poarch began shifting toward a "raw and authentic" sound, moving away from the highly polished production of her early work. In May 2024, she teased that her debut album was "70% done" and would feature more stripped-back, emotional instrumentation.

This period marked a significant diversification of her portfolio, including contributions to the Wednesday: Season 2 soundtrack in 2025, where she covered "Zombie" and "Don't Fear The Reaper.".

Her collaborative roster expanded to include international acts such as K-pop group ENHYPEN ("Sweet Venom") and Mexican singer Kenia OS ("Bad Boy!"). In a major business move, Poarch signed with Brandon Silverstein of S10 Entertainment in May 2025, signaling a strategic pivot to solidify her status as a global pop mainstay rather than just a viral sensation.

Her March 2025 single, " You Always Love Her?", continued her trajectory into more, ballad-driven territory.

Key Musical Releases & Thematic Analysis (2021, 2025)

Public image

Bella Poarch's public persona is defined by a sharp contrast between her "kawaii" (cute) aesthetic and her background as a United States Navy veteran. She rose to global prominence in August 2020 with a lip-sync video to Millie B's "M to the B," which became the most-liked video in TikTok history.

Her content initially focused on facial expression-heavy lip-syncs, frequently using the "Face Zoom" filter to accentuate a doll-like, anime-inspired appearance.

This curated image, characterized by pigtails, rosy cheeks, and alpaca plush toys, stood in direct opposition to her four years of service as an Aviation Ordnanceman, a juxtaposition that fueled early media interest and audience fascination.

even with her rapid ascent, Poarch's career has faced significant scrutiny. In September 2020, she became the center of a geopolitical controversy after displaying a tattoo on her left arm resembling the Rising Sun flag, a symbol associated with Japanese imperialism and considered offensive in South Korea and other parts of Asia.

The incident sparked a massive backlash on social media, particularly from Korean users. Poarch issued a public apology, stating she was unaware of the symbol's historical context, and subsequently covered the tattoo with a heart design before having it removed. She has since used her platform to advocate for cultural sensitivity and education.

Poarch has leveraged her massive following to address serious social problem, particularly mental health and the effects of trauma. In interviews with Vogue and on the H3 Podcast in 2021, she openly discussed her diagnosis of complex PTSD, anxiety, and severe depression stemming from her abusive childhood in the Philippines.

She has stated that her "cute" online persona initially served as a coping method to mask her trauma. Her transparency regarding these struggles has reshaped her public image from a one-dimensional viral star to a vocal advocate for abuse survivors, with her music frequently exploring themes of resilience and self-.

Her debut single, "Build a Bitch," released in May 2021, directly challenged the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by social media. The music video, which depicts a factory where men construct ideal women, critiques the commodification of female bodies and the pressure to conform to perfection.

The project marked a deliberate pivot in her image, positioning her as a critic of the very algorithmic culture that facilitated her rise. The video featured cameos from other internet personalities, reinforcing her status as a central figure in the creator economy while attempting to subvert its toxic elements.

By 2024 and 2025, Poarch had successfully transitioned into the high fashion and luxury sectors, moving beyond her initial cosplay-adjacent style. Her brand partnerships have included a campaign for Moncler and a runway appearance for Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 in 2022.

In September 2024, she attended the Prada Spring/Summer 2025 show in Milan, garnering attention for a hairstyle adorned with numerous bows, a look that signaled her acceptance into elite fashion circles.

This evolution culminated in her appearing on the cover of Vogue Philippines in October 2025, where she was styled in couture that paid homage to her Filipino roots.

Her marketability extends into pop culture collectibles; in 2022, Funko released a "Pop! Rocks" vinyl figure (number 289) of Poarch, immortalizing her "Build a Bitch" outfit.

As of early 2026, she remains one of the most dominant figures on social media, boasting approximately 93 million followers on TikTok, making her the fourth most-followed individual on the platform, alongside over 11 million followers on Instagram.

Brand Partnerships and Fashion Campaigns

Following her rise to prominence on TikTok, Poarch secured a series of high-profile endorsements with global fashion and beauty conglomerates. In September 2020, she participated in the ad campaign for Valentino's Voce Viva fragrance, promoting the product alongside retailer Sephora.

This marked her entry into luxury advertising, which she expanded in late 2020 by joining Moncler's #MonclerBubbleUp campaign. The initiative, which also featured Charli D'Amelio, generated over 2 billion views on TikTok.

In July 2022, Poarch starred in a Skims swim campaign alongside Paris Jackson and Madison Bailey, modeled for Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand.

Her involvement in the fashion industry continued with a prominent role in Rihanna's Savage X Fenty runway shows. Poarch walked in the Vol. 3 show in September 2021 and returned for Vol. 4 in November 2022. By late 2022, she fronted Steve Madden's "Maddenwood" campaign, an augmented reality marketing initiative that also featured rapper Latto.

In August 2023, Hugo Boss tapped Poarch to face its Fall/Winter 2023 campaign, further cementing her status in the modeling sector. also, she collaborated with streetwear brand Ripndip in 2020 to release the limited-edition "RIPNDIP x Paca" clothing line, featuring her signature alpaca plush toy.

Gaming and Technology Ventures

Poarch has leveraged her background as a gamer to secure business deals within the esports and tech industries. In October 2021, she signed as a brand ambassador for HyperX, a gaming peripherals division of HP Inc., serving as the face of their QuadCast S microphone campaign.

While reports in December 2020 indicated that major esports organizations 100 Thieves and FaZe Clan expressed interest in signing her as a content creator, she did not join either roster officially, though she appeared in collaborative content with 100 Thieves members.

In late 2021, she partnered with Activision for the launch of Call of Duty: Vanguard, appearing in promotional advertisements for the -person shooter.

Her likeness has been licensed for physical collectibles, most notably through a partnership with Funko. In November 2022, the company released three distinct Pop! figures modeled after her: a standard "Patchwork" figure, a "Gold" premium figure, and a Pop! Album figure.

In the cryptocurrency space, Poarch collaborated with TikTok and Lil Nas X in October 2021 to release the platform's official NFT collection. She also partnered with Cash App in October 2020, modeling their apparel line and hosting a $100, 000 Bitcoin giveaway.

Financial Portfolio and Investments

Data from 2023 commissioned by FOREX. com ranked Poarch as the fifth "best celebrity investor," citing a 51% return on her net worth through assets including luxury vehicles and real estate. Her property portfolio includes a home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, purchased for approximately $4. 3 million.

Industry metrics estimate her earnings for sponsored TikTok posts range between $50, 000 and $150, 000, depending on engagement levels.

Her music career, underpinned by a May 2021 recording contract with Warner Records, generates additional revenue streams; independent analysis suggests monthly streaming royalties for top-tier influencers can range from $40, 000 to $100, 000.

Anti-Asian Hate and AAPI Advocacy

Following the surge in anti-Asian hate crimes across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, Poarch utilized her massive social media platform to advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

In March 2021, she released a public service announcement on Instagram addressing the rise in racially motivated attacks, urging her followers to actively support their Asian friends and neighbors.

During this period, she disclosed her own experiences with racism after immigrating to the United States, citing instances where she was "randomly attacked and assaulted" as a teenager due to her ethnicity.

Her vocal stance on these problem contributed to her recognition by Gold House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enabling the Asian Pacific diaspora. In May 2022, Poarch was named to the Gold House A100 list, an honor recognizing the 100 most impactful Asian Pacific leaders in culture and business.

The organization highlighted her role in uplifting the API community through her visibility and digital influence. In interviews with publications like Vogue, she has consistently emphasized the need of stereotypes against Asian women, pledging to use the discipline learned in the military to fight against discrimination.

Mental Health Awareness

Poarch has made mental health advocacy a central pillar of her public persona, frequently discussing her diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), major depressive disorder, and anxiety.

These conditions, she has stated, from the severe physical and verbal abuse she endured during her childhood in the Philippines, as well as traumatic events during her military service. By openly detailing her symptoms, including panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and dissociation, she has sought to destigmatize psychiatric treatment for her Gen Z audience.

In 2021, she partnered with the mental health organizations to promote therapy accessibility. During an appearance on the H3 Podcast in June 2021, she provided a graphic account of her upbringing to host Ethan Klein, a disclosure she later stated was intended to help other victims of domestic abuse feel less.

Her musical releases frequently mirror this advocacy; the music video for "Build a Bitch" (2021) challenged the "factory-made" perfection demanded of women by social media algorithms, while her EP Dolls (2022) dealt with themes of reclaiming power from abusers.

She has described her transition from military service to social media stardom as a shift in her "battleground," stating in 2020 that she wakes up "looking forward to going to war" against her mental health struggles with a new support system.

Veteran Support and Sexual Assault Advocacy

As a veteran of the United States Navy, Poarch has advocated for improved mental health resources for service members. Her activism in this area is deeply personal; in October 2023, she revealed on the Call Her Daddy podcast that she was a victim of sexual assault during her year of service.

She detailed the institutional failure she experienced, noting that even with arriving at work with visible physical injuries, her superiors and peers did not intervene. This disclosure was part of a broader effort to shed light on the prevalence of sexual violence within the armed forces (frequently referred to as military sexual trauma or MST).

Poarch has used her status as the only veteran on the Forbes Top Creators list (2023) to the gap between military culture and the entertainment industry. She frequently addresses the difficulties veterans face when transitioning to civilian life, particularly regarding the loss of structured camaraderie.

Her advocacy focuses on encouraging veterans to seek professional help rather than relying solely on the "tough it out" mentality frequently instilled during service.

Cultural Accountability

Poarch's method to activism has also involved public accountability regarding cultural sensitivity. In September 2020, she faced backlash for a tattoo resembling the Rising Sun flag, a symbol associated with Japanese imperialism and war crimes in East Asia.

Upon learning of the symbol's offensive history to Koreans and other victims of WWII-era Japan, Poarch issued an immediate apology, stating she was unaware of the historical context.

She subsequently covered the tattoo and committed to educating herself and her fanbase on historical symbols, turning a controversy into a dialogue about cross-cultural respect and historical awareness.

Personal life

Poarch resides in Los Angeles, California. In April 2023, she purchased a mid-century modern estate in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood for $4. 3 million. The 1959 property features a Japanese-inspired, a tea house, and extensive gardens, reflecting her interest in nature and privacy.

Relationships

Poarch was married to Tyler Poarch, a fellow U. S. Navy veteran. The couple met in the military when they were both 19 years old and married in January 2019. Poarch kept the marriage secret throughout her rise to fame on TikTok, later explaining that her husband preferred to remain out of the public eye.

In November 2022, she filed for divorce in Los Angeles County, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing revealed that the couple had no children and that Poarch did not request spousal support. The divorce was finalized in October 2023. Poarch retained her married surname professionally.

Mental health

Poarch has spoken openly about her struggles with mental health, which she attributes to her traumatic childhood and military service. In 2017, while serving in the Navy, she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

During an October 2023 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, she revealed that she attempted suicide by overdose shortly before her discharge from the military. She credited her brother, who was also stationed in Japan, with encouraging her to seek therapy.

In August 2021, Poarch disclosed that she was a victim of sexual assault during her military service. She addressed this trauma artistically in the music video for her single "Inferno," which depicts her fighting back against attackers. She has stated that music and content creation serve as outlets for her healing process, though she continues to manage symptoms of anxiety and PTSD.

Tattoos and controversy

Poarch has numerous tattoos, of which she uses to cover scars from physical abuse she endured as a child. In September 2020, she faced significant backlash from South Korean social media users after displaying a tattoo on her left arm that resembled the Rising Sun flag, a symbol associated with Japanese imperialism.

Poarch issued a public apology on September 6, 2020, stating she was unaware of the symbol's historical offensiveness to Koreans and other East Asian nations. She immediately covered the design and later had it removed. Other notable tattoos include a ship with feathered wings on her back and a script on her chest that reads, "There is no fear in love, perfect love drives out fear."

Interests

Outside of her entertainment career, Poarch is an avid gamer and cosplayer. She frequently streams video games such as Fortnite and Minecraft. Her interest in anime and Japanese culture influences her fashion and content style. She is also known for her attachment to an alpaca plush toy named "Paca," which appears frequently in her social media posts.

Regarding her adoptive family, Poarch remains estranged from her parents, Kenneth and Eden Taylor. She has stated that her adoptive father told her never to return home when she enlisted in the Navy.

While her parents attempted to reconnect following her internet success, Poarch rejected the contact, citing their absence of accountability for the abuse she suffered. She maintains a close relationship with her younger brother.

Music Career and Debut

In May 2021, Poarch signed a recording contract with Warner Records. She released her debut single, "Build a Bitch," on May 14, 2021. The track, produced by Sub Urban and Elie Rizk, debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later peaked at number 56. The song addresses the pressure women face to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.

The accompanying music video, directed by Andrew Donoho, achieved viral success, accumulating over 400 million views on YouTube by 2022. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single Platinum, denoting sales and streaming equivalent units of over one million in the United States.

Following her debut, Poarch collaborated with singer-producer Sub Urban on the single "Inferno," released on August 13, 2021. The track served as the lead single for Sub Urban's debut album and the second single for Poarch's then-upcoming project.

The music video, which included cameos from streamers such as Ludwig and Disguised Toast, peaked in the top 5 of YouTube's trending charts upon release. In 2022, Poarch was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the social media category, recognizing her rapid transition from content creator to recording artist.

Dolls EP and Subsequent Projects

Poarch released her debut extended play, Dolls, on August 12, 2022. The six-track project included her previous singles alongside new material such as "Living Hell" and "No Man's Land," a collaboration with Canadian musician Grimes.

The title track, "Dolls," was released as a single in July 2022, accompanied by a music video that served as a conceptual sequel to "Build a Bitch." The video for "Living Hell," released simultaneously with the EP, depicted Poarch trapped in a room, symbolizing her traumatic childhood experiences. Rolling Stone described the EP as having a "dark pop tone.".

In September 2023, Poarch released the single "Crush," featuring American singer-songwriter Lauv. This was followed by the release of "Bad Boy!" in November 2023, and a remix featuring Mexican singer Kenia OS in December 2023.

Throughout 2024, Poarch continued to expand her discography with the singles "Don't Like Anybody" (featuring 6arelyhuman) and "Sweet Delusion," the latter released in October 2024.

In 2025, she contributed to the soundtrack for the second season of the Netflix series Wednesday, recording covers of "Zombie" by The Cranberries and "Don't Fear The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult. She also released the solo single " You Always Love Her?" in early 2025.

Discography Statistics

The following table lists selected singles by Bella Poarch, including their release years and certifications.

Music Videos

Poarch has released multiple high-production music videos, frequently collaborating with director Andrew Donoho. The table details her primary music video releases between 2021 and 2025.

Awards and nominations

Bella Poarch's transition from military service to social media prominence and subsequently to the music industry has been recognized by multiple award bodies. Her rapid ascent in 2020 led to a series of nominations and wins that acknowledge both her digital influence and her musical output.

Between 2021 and 2025, she received accolades from organizations including the Streamy Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. These honors frequently highlight her ability to the gap between short-form video content and traditional pop music.

In 2021, Poarch received her major industry acknowledgments following the success of her debut single "Build a Bitch." The Streamy Awards, which honor excellence in online video, named her the Breakout Creator of the Year. During the same ceremony, she received nominations for Creator of the Year and Short Form content.

The visual effects in her "Build a Bitch" music video earned a nomination at the MTV Video Music Awards, placing her alongside established artists in a technical category. The UK Music Video Awards also recognized the production with a nomination for Best Pop Video , International.

That same year, the People's Choice Awards nominated her for New Artist of 2021, validating her entry into the mainstream music market.

The following year marked continued recognition for Poarch's dual role as a creator and recording artist. At the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards, she won the Social Star Award, a category determined by fan voting. She also received a nomination for Best Music Video for "Build a Bitch" at the same event.

The MTV Movie & TV Awards: Unscripted honored her with the Breakthrough Social Star award in June 2022. Beyond entertainment ceremonies, Poarch was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Social Media and was named an honoree on the Gold House A100 list, which recognizes impactful Asians and Pacific Islanders in culture.

Poarch's influence with younger demographics resulted in consecutive recognitions at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. In 2023, she won the orange blimp for Favorite Social Music Star. She was nominated in the same category again in 2024, competing against other internet personalities who have crossed over into music.

Her 2022 EP Dolls also garnered serious attention, with the title track receiving a nomination for Best Concept at the 2023 Berlin Music Video Awards. In December 2024, Poarch appeared at The Streamer Awards in Los Angeles, where she performed her singles "Sweet Delusion" and " You Always Love Her?" for the live audience.

List of awards and nominations

Controversies

Bella Poarch has faced significant public scrutiny since her rapid ascent to fame in 2020. Her career has been marked by cultural insensitivity accusations, high-profile misunderstandings, and about her private life that contradicted her public persona. These incidents frequently sparked intense debate across social media platforms, necessitating official apologies and legal interventions.

"Rising Sun" Tattoo Incident

In September 2020, Poarch became the center of a geopolitical social media conflict after displaying a tattoo on her left arm resembling the Rising Sun flag. The symbol is associated with Japanese imperialism and is considered deeply offensive in South Korea and China due to historical atrocities committed during World War II.

Korean netizens criticized the tattoo, leading to a wave of backlash that included racial slurs directed at Filipinos.

Poarch issued a public apology on September 6, 2020, stating she was unaware of the symbol's historical weight and had viewed it as an aesthetic design inspired by American singer Jhené Aiko. She immediately committed to covering the tattoo and scheduling its removal.

The incident escalated into a "culture war" on Twitter, with the hashtag #CancelKorea trending in the Philippines as Filipino users defended Poarch against the racist attacks she received. She later covered the design with a heart symbol before undergoing laser removal.

Secret Marriage and Divorce

For the two years of her mainstream fame, Poarch presented herself as single. yet, in November 2022, court documents revealed she had been secretly married to Tyler Poarch since January 2019. The couple met while serving in the U. S. Navy. The shocked her fanbase, as she had never publicly acknowledged a spouse or worn a wedding ring in her content.

Poarch filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Court, citing "irreconcilable differences." She requested that neither party pay spousal support. In a statement following the leak, she admitted to keeping the marriage private to protect her husband from the pressures of her online celebrity. The divorce was finalized in October 2023, with Poarch retaining her married surname professionally.

Cardi B Twitter Hack

In August 2022, Poarch's official Twitter account posted a series of aggressive messages targeting rapper Cardi B. The tweets claimed Poarch's newly released EP Dolls was "better than any Cardi album" and included polls asking followers to choose between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. The posts threatened to leak explicit photos if they received a certain number of likes.

Cardi B responded by posting screenshots of private Instagram messages from Poarch, which showed the influencer expressing admiration for her music. Poarch regained control of her account hours later, revealing she had been hacked while asleep. She issued a direct apology to Cardi B, who accepted the explanation. The incident highlighted the security vulnerabilities faced by major influencers.

Racism Accusations and "Harambe" Nickname

Poarch faced accusations of anti-Black racism in 2020 after referring to a Black friend from her military service as "Harambe" in a social media post. The name refers to a gorilla killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016, which became a meme frequently used in racially offensive contexts.

Poarch clarified that "Harambe" was the friend's actual nickname within their military unit, used by him and his peers as a term of endearment rather than a slur. She provided screenshots of past interactions to prove the context was consensual and long-standing, though she acknowledged why the term was problematic to the wider public.

"Build a Bitch" Music Video Edits

Following the May 2021 release of her debut music video "Build a Bitch," reports surfaced that beauty influencer James Charles had been cut from the final edit. Leaked behind-the-scenes footage and TikTok clips showed Charles on set in a costume matching the video's aesthetic.

His removal coincided with serious allegations of misconduct leveled against him at the time. While Poarch's team did not problem a formal press release on the matter, the decision to scrub him from the project was widely interpreted as a move to distance her debut from his controversy.

Summary of Public Disputes