Mark Laita, the mind and heart behind the documentary-style YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly, has long drawn attention for his unfiltered, empathetic portrayals of people living at society’s edges. His interviews—gritty, intimate, and often heartbreaking—bring forward the stories of those scarred by trauma, addiction, homelessness, and generational cycles of struggle.
But on June 5, 2025, Laita shifted the lens inward. In an emotional video, he revealed the painful death of his young girlfriend, Kyara Guidry, who passed from an apparent overdose in late May or early June 2025. Her death ignited widespread concern, prompting many to ask what Laita’s personal life looks like away from his camera.
This article explores where things stand for Laita now—his relationships, his family, and the private world behind his life’s work.
Who Is Mark Laita?
Born in Detroit in 1960 and raised in Chicago, Mark Laita built a distinguished career long before he became a YouTube figure. As an advertising photographer, he worked with powerhouse brands like Coca-Cola, Apple, and IBM. His precision, contrast-heavy imagery later formed the backbone of his storytelling style on Soft White Underbelly.
Launched in 2016, the channel has accumulated over 5.46 million subscribers, offering raw black-and-white portraits and long-form conversations with people living on the margins—such as residents of Skid Row and the well-known Whittaker family of West Virginia. Through this work, Laita aims to capture humanity stripped of illusion: trauma, survival, addiction, resilience, and everything in between.
His compassionate approach has earned praise, though some critics have raised ethical questions about documenting the pain of vulnerable populations.
Is Mark Laita in a Relationship Now?
As of now, Mark Laita is single, with no public indication of dating or a new partner. The June 5 video in which he spoke about Kyara’s death underscored how deeply he cared for her. He described her as someone he loved profoundly—yet who remained locked in battles with trauma, addiction, and self-destructive patterns.
Since her passing, Laita has offered no updates hinting at a new relationship. All his public work centers on his interviews, photography, and travels, with his private life noticeably absent from his current online presence.
Is Mark Laita Married Today?
No. Laita is not currently married.
He was previously married to Elizabeth Susan Laita, a California-based singer, actress, motivational speaker, and teacher born in 1963. Their marriage lasted roughly 25 years before Elizabeth filed for divorce on July 31, 2014. The legal process concluded around mid-2015.
Together, they share two daughters—Alexandra and Olivia. Elizabeth now lives a low-key life in Santa Monica, focusing on surfing and creative projects, with the former couple maintaining only a co-parenting relationship.
Kyara Guidry: The Loss That Reshaped His World
The most public chapter of Laita’s romantic life post-divorce was his relationship with Kyara Guidry, a 22-year-old woman he interviewed on Soft White Underbelly in 2023 alongside her mother. Their relationship grew after filming, drawing intense online scrutiny due to their 43-year age gap and perceived power imbalance.
Kyara openly struggled with addiction, self-harm, and deep emotional wounds stemming from childhood trauma. She passed away in a bathtub at the Los Angeles apartment Laita helped her secure. Toxicology reports confirmed an overdose.
In recounting her death, Laita stressed how unresolved pain can echo across generations—a theme mirrored throughout his work.
A Look at Laita’s Daughters: Alexandra and Olivia
Although Laita rarely discusses his family, his role as a father is an important part of who he is. His daughters with Elizabeth—Alexandra and Olivia Laita—have paved their own paths.
- Olivia, born June 20, has pursued modeling and collaborated with figures like Emmanuelle Rienda, founder of Vegan Fashion Week.
- Alexandra remains more private, though she has been mentioned in various public records and profiles connected to Laita.
Both daughters appear to be in their 20s or early 30s based on their parents’ marriage timeline. Laita intentionally keeps them away from the public eye.
What About the Rumors of Meagan Colleen Bailey?
Circulating online chatter has occasionally tied the name Meagan Colleen Bailey to Laita, sparking speculation about a romantic link. Yet no reliable information connects her to him in any personal capacity.
These rumors likely stem from misidentification, internet confusion, or associations with individuals involved in the Soft White Underbelly ecosystem.
Nationality, Roots, and Early Life
Laita is American, born in Detroit and raised in the Midwest. He discovered his passion for photography at age 15. While some assume he may have Lithuanian heritage due to his surname, he has never confirmed any specific ethnic background.
Very little is publicly known about his parents, and he has avoided discussing his ancestry, focusing instead on his work rather than personal history.
Inside the Soft White Underbelly Project
To understand Laita’s worldview, you must understand Soft White Underbelly—his life’s central creative project. Borrowing its name from a WWII phrase describing vulnerability, the channel acts as a sanctuary for stories seldom told.
Filmed primarily in a Skid Row studio, interviews feature individuals facing addiction, homelessness, exploitation, and generational trauma. His portraits are stark, honest, and compassionate, capturing both dignity and despair.
The channel has surpassed one billion views, though not without controversy. Critics have accused Laita of exploiting vulnerable people, and in 2024, YouTuber Tyler Oliveira alleged misuse of GoFundMe funds for the Whittaker family. Laita responded by releasing transaction records, standing firmly by his integrity.
The project continues to spark debate—but also conversations society often avoids.
Career, Income, and Net Worth
Estimates place Laita’s net worth between $1 million and $5 million, derived from:
- decades-long photography work
- revenue from YouTube ads
- Patreon support
- viewer donations
Portions of the channel’s earnings go toward helping participants—such as covering rehab costs or offering financial assistance.
His work often sends him across the country, documenting lives many never see firsthand.
Does Mark Laita Have an Assistant?
While the scale of Soft White Underbelly might suggest a support team, no official confirmation exists regarding an assistant. Some speculate based on the channel’s workload, but no specific person has been publicly identified.
Figures like Lima Jevremovic, who helped coordinate recovery efforts for interview subject Amanda, are sometimes mentioned—but she is not described as Laita’s personal assistant.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Is Mark Laita married?
No—he has been divorced since 2015.
Is he dating anyone now?
No public evidence of a relationship following Kyara Guidry’s death.
Does he own Soft White Underbelly?
Yes—he created it and runs it independently.
Does he have children?
Two daughters: Alexandra and Olivia.
Is he Lithuanian?
Unconfirmed—he is American-born.
Conclusion
At 65, Mark Laita remains a figure of contrasts: intensely private about his personal life, yet deeply exposed through the emotional gravity of his work. After losing Kyara Guidry in 2025, he has stayed single and focused on his mission—documenting the most vulnerable members of society.
His daughters, Olivia and Alexandra, appear to be his grounding force off-camera. With a career valued in the multi-million range and a legacy shaped by compassion and controversy, Laita continues to explore humanity’s darkest corners—while keeping many of his own firmly in the shadows.