If you’ve spent any time on the "clean" side of YouTube or TikTok lately, you’ve definitely seen her. She’s usually surrounded by stacks of books, sipping something caffeinated, or trekking across the country in a van with her husband, Ryan Trahan. But for some reason, the question of how old is Hailey Trahan (known to most as Haley Pham) seems to break the internet's collective brain every few months.
People get confused. Maybe it’s because she started her channel when she was practically a kid. Or maybe it’s because she got married at an age when most of us were still trying to figure out how to do our own laundry.
The short answer (before we get into the weeds)
Right now, as we’re sitting here in early 2026, Hailey Trahan is 25 years old. She was born on December 5, 2000.
I know, I know. It feels like she should be thirty by now given how much she’s accomplished, or maybe nineteen because of her "girlypop" energy. But the math doesn’t lie. Born in the final month of the millennium, she’s a quintessential Gen Z creator who has quite literally grown up in front of a lens.
Why the confusion about her name?
You might notice I’m using "Hailey Trahan" and "Haley Pham" somewhat interchangeably. Technically, she’s Haley Trahan now. She married Ryan in November 2020. However, her brand—the one with millions of subscribers and a massive "bookstagram" following—is still very much tied to her maiden name, Pham.
The "Teen Bride" stigma that stuck
One reason people still ask how old is Hailey Trahan with such frequency is the controversy surrounding her wedding. When she and Ryan tied the knot in 2020, Haley was just 19 years old.
In the world of secular influencers, getting married at 19 is basically unheard of. It sparked a massive wave of "why the rush?" videos and Reddit threads. Some fans were worried she was moving too fast; others cited her Christian faith as the reason for the early nuptials.
Because that "teen bride" narrative was so strong, many casual viewers still have her frozen in time as a teenager. Seeing her now, managing a debut novel release and running a multi-million dollar business, creates a bit of cognitive dissonance. She isn't that 19-year-old girl in a white dress anymore. She’s a 25-year-old woman navigating a very adult career.
Growing up on the grid
Haley started her YouTube journey back in 2012. Think about that for a second. In 2012, most of us were posting blurry photos of our lunch on Instagram with the "Valencia" filter. Haley was 11 or 12 years old, uploading dance videos and makeup tutorials from her bedroom in Austin, Texas.
Most people don't stay the same person they were at twelve. Thank God, right?
But for Haley, those shifts happened publicly. We saw the "dance mom" phase, the "relatable high schooler" phase, and the "lifestyle vlogger" phase.
The Bookish Pivot
Recently, her age has become relevant again because of her content shift. She moved away from generic vlogging and leaned hard into the "BookTube" community.
Honestly, it was a smart move. Her audience grew up with her. The girls who watched her do "First Day of School" vlogs in 2017 are now in their mid-twenties, looking for book recommendations.
- 2012-2018: The "Growing Up" era (Dance, DIYs, High School).
- 2019-2021: The "Young Adult" era (Marriage, moving out, finding faith).
- 2022-Present: The "Author/Book" era (Reading vlogs, writing her own novel).
Real-world milestones in 2026
It isn't just about the number on a birth certificate. Haley’s 25th year is shaping up to be her biggest yet. She recently announced her debut novel, Just Friends, which is slated for a March 2026 release through Atria Books.
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Writing a book at 25 is a feat, but she’s been building the "author" persona for years. She’s not just a YouTuber anymore; she’s a legitimate player in the publishing world.
The Ryan Factor
You can't talk about Haley's age or life without mentioning Ryan Trahan. He’s 27 (born in 1998), making them a fairly young "power couple" in the digital space. They’ve spent the last year doing massive charity projects, like the "50 States in 50 Days" challenge for St. Jude.
Watching them, it’s easy to forget they are still in their mid-twenties. They handle budgets, travel logistics, and philanthropic goals that would make a 40-year-old sweat.
What most people get wrong about her age
The biggest misconception? That she’s "too young" to know what she’s doing.
There’s this weird bias where if a creator is pretty and bubbly, people assume they aren't the ones pulling the strings. But if you look at the trajectory of the "Trahan-Pham" household, it’s clear they are savvy business owners.
Haley has survived multiple "cancellation" attempts—like the infamous 2019 Greece trip vlog where she was criticized for being "unrelatable"—and came out the other side more successful. That kind of longevity in the influencer world doesn't happen by accident. It takes a level of maturity and thick skin that most people don't develop until much later in life.
Staying updated on Haley
If you're trying to keep up with what she's doing now that she's 25, your best bet isn't her main YouTube channel (though she still posts there). It’s her "In My 20s Diaries" series.
That’s where she’s the most honest about the "quarter-life" stuff. She talks about the pressure of being a young wife, the struggle of staying creative, and the reality of living in the public eye.
Actionable insights for fans and creators
If you're a creator looking at Haley's path, or just a fan wondering how she does it, here's the takeaway:
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- Audit your "brand" frequently. Haley didn't stay a "dance vlogger" just because that's what worked in 2015. She pivoted to books because that's where her passion (and her maturing audience) went.
- Don't fear the "young" label. Whether you're 19 or 25, people will always find a reason to say you're "too" something. Haley used her early marriage and young age to build a unique, wholesome niche that stands out in a crowded market.
- Diversify your output. She isn't just relying on AdSense. She has the book deal, the clothing lines, and the brand partnerships.
So, next time you see someone asking how old is Hailey Trahan, you can tell them she’s 25—but she’s got the career of someone who’s been at this for a lifetime.
To stay truly updated on her latest projects or the release of her novel, you should follow her "Leaping" newsletter or check her community tab on YouTube, as that's where she drops the most frequent updates regarding her book tour dates and new merchandise launches.