Most people expect long hours at work to come with a fair paycheck. But one Texas bartender learned the hard way that her 70-hour week barely covered anything at all — and her story is now sparking a nationwide debate.

Aaliyah Cortez, who worked at a sports bar in Austin, shared her pay slip on TikTok. She explained that she earned only $2.13 per hour in base pay, meaning tips were her main source of income. Even with more than 70 hours on the clock, her check came out to just $9.28 after taxes.

Seeing the number shocked many viewers. Aaliyah reminded her followers that countless servers and bartenders survive only because customers choose to tip. She said she simply wants to be paid “adequately and consistently,” something the current system makes nearly impossible.

She explained that U.S. laws allow employers to pay tipped workers far below minimum wage, leaving them dependent on unpredictable generosity. Some weeks, she said, her paycheck was so small it showed $0. She shared the video to highlight how broken the system feels for many in the service industry.

The clip quickly divided the internet. Some argued that businesses — not customers — should cover fair wages. Others insisted tipping is optional and shouldn’t be expected. But many viewers sided with Aaliyah, saying no worker should rely on luck to make ends meet.

Her story continues to spark conversation, reminding people how much unseen struggle can sit behind a simple smile across the bar.