Trans influencer born with no limbs has defiant message for TikTok trolls
Briel Adams-Wheatley (Getty Images)
Briel Adams-Wheatley, who was born with no limbs, has clapped back at online haters, saying: “You’re paying my bills.”
The social media influencer, who came out as trans in 2025, has amassed more than 5million followers on TikTok on her account “no_limbs_“. On it, she shares a look at her day-to-day life, with her makeup videos regularly going viral.
Of course, despite having countless kind comments, she’s also hit with messages from trolls trying to make fun of her.
But, speaking on the Tamron Hall Show on 12 May, she made it clear she doesn’t let it bother her – in fact, she quite likes it.
‘They’re paying my bills’
“We live in a day and age when people can say anything they want behind a screen, but little do they know the effect is takes on the other person behind the screen,” she said. “Two years ago I would’ve been sobbing in my bathroom about comments that would be left on my page, to now where I’m like, ‘Wait, no they’re coming back and they keep coming back, they’re fans and it’s cute and they’re paying my bills.’ So I love that for me.”
She explained that the change in attitude came when she realised that she wasn’t “the problem”.
“Maybe they’re hurt,” she suggested. “Maybe something happened to them. Maybe they just don’t understand or are trying to be funny.
“If that’s what my page needs to be for them to take it out on, then go for it, because my big account is succeeding, so thank you.”
Viewers reacted online, sharing messages of support.
One wrote on YouTube: “I’ve never come across her before but she’s beautiful inside and out and I do not understand how some people could be so mean, rude and nasty. We’re all different in different ways … I’m so glad she has taken the negative comments and turned them into positivity.” More blessings to her & her husband.”
Another said: “That’s what I call wiping your tears with the money you make!”
Who is Briel Adams-Wheatley?
Briel Adams-Wheatley was born in Brazil with Hanhart Syndrome. The rare condition caused her to be born with no limbs.
A family in Utah, USA adopted her at nine months old, making her one of 14 kids in her family.
Growing up, her adopted mother encouraged her to be independent, which led her to take part in dance at school before exploring makeup on social media.
She came out as transgender in 2025, after marrying her husband Adam in 2021.
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