Time flies. It really does. One minute you’re watching a tiny 11-year-old girl with incredible flow crush a freestyle in the passenger seat of her dad’s car, and the next, she’s a full-blown adult navigating the music industry on her own terms. If you've been wondering how old is Lay Lay now, you aren’t alone. The internet has a habit of freezing child stars in time, but Alaya High—better known to the world as That Girl Lay Lay—is officially leaving her "kid star" era behind.
As of early 2026, Lay Lay is 18 years old.
She hit that major milestone on January 28, 2025. Honestly, it feels like just yesterday she was the youngest female rapper to ever sign a record deal with Empire Distribution. But the math doesn't lie. Born in 2007 in Houston, Texas, Alaya has spent more than half her life in the spotlight.
The Numbers: Breaking Down How Old Is Lay Lay Now
Let’s get specific. Since we are currently in January 2026, Lay Lay is just days away from turning 19. If you are reading this before January 28, she’s 18. If you’re reading this after that date, she has officially entered her last year of being a teenager.
It’s a weird transition for fans. We saw her go from a viral sensation to a Nickelodeon lead. Her show, That Girl Lay Lay, was a massive hit for the network, but it actually wrapped up its run in March 2024. When the show ended, she was 17. Seeing her move from scripted kids' comedy into whatever comes next is the part that has everyone checking their calendars.
Why Everyone Is Confused About Her Age
Why does everyone keep asking how old is Lay Lay now? There’s a few reasons. First, Nickelodeon shows stay in heavy rotation. You might see a rerun from 2021 and think she’s still 14. Second, her brand was built on being "That Girl"—a persona that felt youthful, energetic, and, well, little.
But Alaya isn’t little anymore. She stands at about 4'7" or 4'8" (she’s always been petite!), which sometimes tricks people into thinking she’s younger than she actually is. But don't let the height fool you. Her business mind is way beyond her years. She’s been managing a multi-million dollar brand since middle school.
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Life After Nickelodeon
When Nickelodeon canceled the show after two seasons, it wasn't because it wasn't popular. The industry shifted. Nick started leaning more into animation and moving away from live-action sitcoms. Plus, Alaya and her co-star Gabrielle Nevaeh Green were simply growing up. You can only play a "magical avatar come to life" for so long before you start wanting to do more mature projects.
Since the show ended, Lay Lay has been doubling down on her first love: music.
- She’s been in the studio constantly.
- Her style has evolved from "cute kid rap" to a more polished, Southern hip-hop sound.
- She’s leaning into her Houston roots more than ever.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Lay Lay was a "manufactured" star. People see a kid on TV and assume a big corporation created them. That’s not the case here. Alaya was a viral beast long before Nick came knocking. Her father, Acie High, was a rapper himself and helped her hone her craft in the car. Those "Freestyle Friday" videos were the real deal.
The fact that she's 18 now means she has more control over her contract than ever before. In the industry, 18 is the "magic number." It means you’re no longer subject to strict child labor laws (Coogan laws) regarding filming hours, and you can sign your own paperwork. For a girl who has been a boss since age 11, this is basically her liberation day.
What's Next for Alaya High?
Now that we've settled the question of how old is Lay Lay now, the real question is: what does she do with her adulthood?
We are seeing a lot more "Alaya" and a little less "That Girl Lay Lay." It’s a common move for child stars (think Miley or Selena). She’s still got the deal with Empire, and her social media presence is massive—over 1.3 million on Instagram alone. She’s transitioned from being a "kid rapper" to an "influencer and artist."
Honestly, the transition looks pretty smooth so far. She avoided the typical "child star meltdown" and seems to have a solid circle around her.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following her journey, keep an eye on her music drops rather than the TV schedule. The sitcom era is over, but the rap career is just getting its second wind.
- Check her YouTube: That’s where the rawest content still lives.
- Watch for "Alaya High" branding: You'll likely see her start using her real name more often to distance herself from the "Nickelodeon kid" image.
- Support the independent moves: Now that she's an adult, her business ventures (like her "Lay Lay's Drip" line) are likely to get more sophisticated.
The girl who started out rapping about lip gloss and school is now a woman in the room where the big deals happen. At 18, the world is basically her playground.
Keep an eye on her birthday on January 28. Every year she gets older, the "That Girl" moniker feels a bit more like a legacy and a bit less like a current description. She's growing up, and honestly, it’s kind of cool to see.
Next Steps:
To stay updated on her latest projects, follow her official Instagram @thatgirllaylay or check out her music on Spotify under Alaya High. Her most recent tracks show a significantly more mature lyrical style than her Nickelodeon days.