It’s amazing how much someone’s life can change when their video goes viral.
Kira Pregiato was just a college student, barely out of high school when a casual video she filmed in her childhood bedroom changed everything. Pregiato filmed the video without a second thought, simply talking about a cologne that she liked, and posted it to TikTok. It wasn’t her first video, but it was the first to have so many views.
In less than two days, that video was seen more than 20 million times and had nearly 10,000 comments — and the views and comments kept coming.
In a recent interview, Pregiato, opened up about the experience.
“I didn’t expect anything to come from it,” Pregiato said. “I was just being myself, talking about a cologne I liked. Next thing I know, my phone’s going insane.”
She even remembers the exact moment it hit her that things were different.
“I was at a friend’s house when I noticed the notifications,” she said. “It was like watching a slot machine spin—likes, comments, follows. I actually thought my phone glitched.”
It wasn’t just likes, comments and followers, either. The explosive growth turned into actual cash, and within a month, Pregiato made $100,000. She knew that she wanted to jump on this opportunity while it was there, and that meant leaving school.
“It was a scary leap,” she said. “I knew I was stepping away from something safe, but I felt like I had to take the opportunity while it was in front of me.”
But she didn’t just stick to TikTok. Pregiato decided to join OnlyFans after trying platforms like Fanfix as a way of diversifying her revenue streams.
“I told everyone that I was never going to make an OnlyFans account, but the temptation got to me,” she said. “Even now, when I look at my bank account, it doesn’t feel real — it feels like Monopoly money.”
Thankfully, leaving school and joining OnlyFans has worked out for Pregiato — at least for now. She explains that while her monthly earnings are now in the upper six digits and that she makes more than a brain surgeon, she doesn’t take it for granted and is trying to keep a level head. Though she did allow herself to splurge on a BMW M4.
“I’m not out here blowing it all on designer stuff,” Pregiato said. “I’ve hired a financial advisor, and I’m already looking at property in Miami and Austin.”
But it isn’t all sunshine and daisies. The influencer is struggling to balance everything that comes with this kind of fame. “Some people who ignored me before suddenly want to hang out,” she said. “It’s awkward, but I’ve learned to keep my circle tight.” She added that not everyone has understood her choices. “Not everyone gets this world. It’s not traditional,” she said. “But I’m doing what works for me.”