Bella Poarch
Denarie Bautista Taylor[2][3][4][5][6] (born February 8, 1997[7]), known professionally as Bella Poarch (/pɔːrtʃ/ PORCH),[8] is a Philippine-born American social media personality, singer, and United States Navy veteran. On August 17, 2020, she created the most liked video on TikTok, in which she lip syncs to the song "M to the B" by British rapper Millie B. She is the most followed TikTok contributor from the Philippines.[9][10][11] In May 2021, she released her debut single "Build a Bitch".[12]
Bella Poarch | |
---|---|
Born | Pangasinan, Philippines | February 8, 1997
Other names | Denarie Bautista Taylor[lower-alpha 1] |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2020–present |
Spouse |
Tyler Poarch
(m. 2019; sep. 2022) |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Labels | Warner |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 2017–2020 |
Rank | E-4 |
Awards | |
TikTok information | |
Page | |
Followers | 92.7 million |
Likes | 2.3 billion |
As of October 18, 2023, she has over 93.2 million followers on TikTok,[13] ranking as the third most-followed individual on the platform behind Khaby Lame and Charli D'Amelio.[14] She signed a music record deal with Warner Records in 2021.[12]
Early life
Poarch was born on February 8, 1997[15] in the Philippines.[14] She was raised by her grandmother in the slums until the age of three and was then adopted.[16] Her adoptive father is an American who had served in the US military and her adoptive mother is Filipina. Both parents met in Saudi Arabia where her adoptive father was stationed, before settling in the Philippines. In an interview, she recounts that she and her adopted brother were heavily abused all throughout her childhood, up until her enlistment in the military.[17] She lived on a farm with her family: her adoptive parents, and three (adopted) siblings, including two older sisters and her brother. She had many of the responsibilities for the farm, even as young as seven years old. She recounts that her adoptive sisters did not receive the same treatment as her and her brother. Poarch states that her father was verbally and physically abusive, while her mother did not get involved, but remained complicit. Her family (with exception of her sisters who still reside in the Philippines) moved to San Francisco to live with her aunt for a couple of months, before the family moved to Texas when she was 13[14] due to her father's need for bypass surgery. She states that although she was no longer subjected to physical abuse, her father still emotionally maltreated her at home.[17]
Musical career
In January 2020, Poarch created her TikTok account. She started actively posting on TikTok based on gaming and cosplay content in April 2020. She gained notability in August 2020, when her lip sync videos went viral, most notably her video where she is lip-syncing to "Sophie Aspin Send" by Millie B. The zoomed-in video of her lip-syncing to that tune and rhythmically bouncing went viral and became TikTok's most liked video of all time. Following her TikTok success, she launched a YouTube channel and Twitter page in the months after she joined TikTok.
Poarch is also associated with her alpaca stuffed toy.[18][19] In 2020, she released a limited clothing line RIPNDIP x Paca Collaboration.[20]
In December 2020, Poarch's rising popularity peaked when she reportedly grabbed the interest of two large professional Esports organizations – 100 Thieves and FaZe Clan, which apparently showed interest in her, a live streamer and gamer at the time, as a content creator under their respective banners.[21] In May 2021, Poarch signed a record deal with Warner Records.
On May 14, 2021, Poarch released her debut single "Build a Bitch."[22] She stated that the song was inspired by her experiences with being bullied as a child,[23] disclosing "Growing up, I used to get bullied and stuff ... I wanted my first song to have a good meaning to it and to help a lot of people just to be like, more confident about themselves." The associated music video was described by Billboard as "an audacious, darkly comic slice of new-school pop," created with Daniel Virgil Maisonneuve, the producer-songwriter better known as Sub Urban."[12] The video features other notable internet personalities including Valkyrae, Mia Khalifa, Bretman Rock and ZHC.[24]
On an episode of the 100 Thieves podcast "The CouRage and Nadeshot Show,”[25] Poarch stated that she wanted to become a singer since she was a child.[26]
Poarch released her first EP, Dolls, on August 12, 2022. It includes her previous singles, "Build a Bitch," "Inferno," and "Dolls," as well as new tracks "Villain," "No Man's Land," and "Living Hell." A music video for "Living Hell" debuted alongside the EP. In addition to co-starring in the music video for "Dolls," Grimes features on "No Man's Land."[27] Rolling Stone praised the dark pop tone of the EP.[28] In addition, "Villain" would be used for WWE's Extreme Rules premium live event in 2022. She released a song and music video with Lauv on September 15, 2023 titled “Crush.”[29]
Military career
Poarch is a U.S. Navy veteran.[30] She enlisted in the Navy in 2017 as an aviation ordnanceman and was in the musical division.[31][32] She served for three years, having been stationed in Japan and Hawaii.
Personal life
Poarch resides in Los Angeles.[33]
She has expressed her support on social media for the Asian-American community due to the rise in reports of hate crimes against them.[34] She also shared her experiences with Vogue, saying that she can relate to this situation because she has been "treated differently" and "randomly attacked and assaulted" as an Asian teen after moving to the U.S. from the Philippines.[35]
In September 2020, Korean social media users criticized Poarch for having a tattoo similar to the Rising Sun Flag in her videos. The specific tattoo resembled a symbol of Japanese imperialism which is considered offensive to East Asians. She apologized and had it covered then later removed.[36][37] Poarch married fellow seaman Tyler Poarch in 2019. She filed for divorce from him in November 2022.[38]
In August 2021, she shared that she was a victim of sexual assault.[39][40]
Discography
Extended plays
Title | Details |
---|---|
Dolls |
Singles
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [42] |
AUS [43] |
CAN [44] |
GER [45] |
IRE [46] |
NOR [47] |
NLD [48] |
NZ [49] |
SWE [50] |
UK [51] | ||||
"Build a Bitch" | 2021 | 56 | 28 | 28 | 86 | 23 | 25 | 78 | 24 | 65 | 30 | Dolls | |
"Inferno" (with Sub Urban) |
—[lower-alpha 2] | — | 61 | — | — | — | — | —[lower-alpha 3] | — | — |
|
Hive and Dolls | |
"Dolls" | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Dolls | |
"Living Hell" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Crush" (with Lauv) |
2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —[lower-alpha 4] | — | — | TBA | |
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart, was ineligible for the chart, or was not released. |
Other songs
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Filipina Queen" | 2022 | Black Eyed Peas | Elevation[lower-alpha 5] |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | MTV Millennial Awards | Herself | Global Creator | Nominated | [59] |
MTV Video Music Awards | "Build a Bitch" | Best Visual Effects | Nominated | [60] | |
People's Choice Awards | Herself | New Artist | Nominated | [61] | |
UK Music Video Awards | "Build a Bitch" | Best Pop Video – International | Nominated | [62] | |
Streamy Awards | Herself | Creator of the Year | Nominated | [63] | |
Breakout Creator of the Year | Won | ||||
Short Form | Nominated | ||||
2022 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Social Star Award | Won | ||
"Build a Bitch" | Best Music Video | Nominated | [64] | ||
2023 | Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards | Herself | Favorite Social Music Star | Won |
Notes
- This is Poarch's legal name. As she was adopted, her actual birth name is unknown.
- "Inferno" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart.[55]
- "Inferno" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 13 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[56]
- "Crush" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 35 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[57]
- On physical copies released in some markets only.[58] The streaming versions and other physical releases are with J. Rey Soul instead.
References
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- "TikTok star Bella Poarch confirms filing for divorce". CNN Philippines. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
- "What is Bella Poarch's real name?". PopBuzz. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- Adriano, Norman (November 7, 2022). "Did TikTok star Bella Poarch have a husband?". The Lookout. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- Umali, Clara (November 7, 2022). "Bella Poarch is the new queen of lowkey relationships". WE THE PVBLIC. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- Kalyan, Aarzoo (May 4, 2023). "Bella Poarch: Truth about TikTok star rumored to have cheated on 'secret' husband who is now her ex". MEAWW. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- "How old is Bella Poarch? When is her birthday?". PopBuzz. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- "Bella Poarch Never Learned How To Swim... But Was In The Navy??! | 17 Questions | Seventeen". YouTube. September 6, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.,
- Jennings, Rebecca (December 8, 2020). "Why Bella Poarch's 'M to the B' video was the top TikTok of 2020 Bella is the most followed Filipino Tiktok star". Vox. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- Strapagiel, Lauren. "Here's Why People Can't Stop Watching Those Bella Poarch Tiktoks". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021.
- Kastrenakes, Jacob (December 2, 2020). "TikTok says Bella Poarch's 'M to the B' was its biggest viral video of the year". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- Lipshutz, Jason (May 14, 2021). "TikTok Star Bella Poarch Signs With Warner Records, Shares Debut Single". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- "Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) Official TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
- Collin, Hattie (May 14, 2021). "TikTok Star-Turned-Musician Bella Poarch on the Impossibility of Beauty Standards and the Value of Therapy". Vogue. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- "When is Bella Poarch's birthday?". Capital XTRA. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- Poarch, Bella. "Bella Poarch – H3 Podcast # 247". H3 Podcast. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
When I was three, before I was adopted, I was living with my grandma and it was in the slums. We were very poor.
- Bella Poarch – H3 Podcast # 247, retrieved June 18, 2021
- "First time you can see Paca".
- "TikTok where Paca is directly referred to".
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- 100 Thieves AND FaZe Clan Interest in Bella Poarch Tik Tok Star, retrieved June 7, 2021
- Muraro, Alberto (May 4, 2021). "Bella Poarch: Build-A-B**** è il primo singolo della tiktoker" (in Italian). Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- "Bella Poarch explains how being bullied inspired 'Build a Bitch' song with Valkyrae". Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- "ZHC". YouTube. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- Bella Poarch on Valkyrae Music Video Collab & Making the Most Viewed TikTok of 2020, archived from the original on May 18, 2021, retrieved May 18, 2021
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- Campbell, Erica (August 12, 2022). "Bella Poarch drops EP 'Dolls', shares video for sinister new track 'Living Hell'". NME. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- Johnston, Maura (August 12, 2022). "Bella Poarch Delivers Darkly Hued Pop With a Winning Sneer on 'Dolls'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- "Bella Poarch Recruits Lauv For The Bombastic Pop Song 'Crush'". UPROXX. September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- "Who is Bella Poarch? Get to know the viral Tiktok star that sparked Filipinos' call to #CancelKorea – Manila Bulletin". mb.com.ph. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
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- "Why Bella Poarch Joined the Military". YouTube. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- Spanos, Brittany (April 22, 2022). "Bella Poarch Conquered Her Past, the Navy, and TikTok. Now She's Coming for Pop Music". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
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- Vogue (April 13, 2021). "Bella Poarch, Lastlings, Saweetie and Shawn Wasabi speak out on anti-Asian racism, fetishization and representation". Vogue India. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- Jun-tae, Ko (September 13, 2020). "Racist remarks on Filipinos stir anger on social media". Korea Herald. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- Coulter, Samantha (April 11, 2021). "The Real Reason Bella Poarch Had To Get Her Tattoo Covered Up". The List. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- "Bella Poarch is Divorcing Her Secret Husband of Four Years". Paper. November 6, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
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- "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- Peaks on the Canadian Hot 100:
- "Build a Bitch": "Canadian Hot 100 Chart: May 29, 2021". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- "Inferno": "Canadian Hot 100 Chart: August 28, 2021". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
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- "Discography Bella Poarch". irish-charts.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single 2021–22". VG-lista. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
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- "American certifications – Bella Poarch". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- "British certifications – Bella Poarch". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 15, 2022. Type Bella Poarch in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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