Nykia Hamilton, a 25-year-old single mom of three, went viral in July after running an entire Burger King restaurant alone for 12 hours in Columbia, South Carolina. A TikTok clip praised her for working every station—drive-thru, front counter, prep, and cleaning—amid a severe staffing shortage.
Despite the praise, Hamilton now claims she was fired for being late due to childcare responsibilities. “My kids come first,” she said in a tearful TikTok update. She also shared the emotional toll the situation has taken on her mental health.
Hamilton launched a GoFundMe that has raised over $64,000. “I really do everything for my kids,” she wrote. Prior to her termination, she said she often missed time with them because of long shifts but had no choice.
Her story has sparked outrage and support online, with many questioning how a viral act of dedication could end in termination.
