By: Maria Williams 

What inspired you to pursue a career in modeling and acting at such a young age? 

What really got me into modeling and acting at a young age was this online documentary I watched about the 2000s fashion line Baby Phat. I was 13 (in 2022), and at that time, I was thinking about becoming a fashion designer. The documentary focused on how Kimora Lee Simmons, who owned Baby Phat, was not only a successful designer but also modeled for her own brand. 

That was the first time I saw a designer who also modeled for their line, and it clicked for me—if I wanted to design, maybe learning to model was a smart move too, just like she did. Around the same time, I watched Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” biopic with Austin Butler, and his acting blew me away. I saw an interview where he talked about being super shy growing up and how acting classes helped him break out of his shell and become more confident. I could totally relate to him because I was shy as well at the time. His story motivated me to push myself, and that’s when I decided to sign up for both modeling and acting classes.

How has your experience in ongoing modeling and acting classes influenced your performances? 

Taking ongoing modeling and acting classes has really helped me level up in both areas. I’ve learned new techniques, strategies, and ways to approach my performances that I hadn’t thought of before. The best part is that these classes keep pushing me to grow and improve at a consistent rate, so I’m always building on what I know and getting better.

Can you share a memorable moment from your debut at New York Fashion Week? 

A memorable moment from my NYFW debut was stepping onto the expansive runway for the first time and hearing the music sync perfectly with my steps as I walked. When I reached the end and saw all the photographers snapping away in the pit, I felt like a total supermodel! It was such an amazing NYFW moment and experience! 

What was it like to win the Plitzs NYFW KIDS Fashion Democracy show, and how did it feel to receive such recognition? 

When I won the Plitzs NYFW KIDS Fashion Democracy show, I was so proud of myself. When I first started modeling, the runway was the biggest barrier that I had to overcome with hours of constant training, private coaching, and attending various workshops and seminars. Being recognized as the winner for the Plitzs NYFW KIDS Fashion Democracy show, proved to myself that putting in the work does truly pay off in the end. 

How do you prepare for different types of modeling jobs, such as runway versus commercial modeling? 

When I’m getting ready for a runway job, I focus a lot on the attitude I want to showcase. If it’s for a fun, playful designer, I’ll spend the days leading up to the show practicing the right facial expression I’m going to do—whether it’s a big smile, a smize, or a smirk. I also practice the style of walking I want to bring and get into the right mood by playing music that matches the collection’s vibe. For commercial modeling, my prep is more about my appearance, like making sure my hair and nails are on point and doing research on the client so I know what kind of vibe and poses they’re going for. That way, I’m ready to give them exactly what they’re looking for when I show up.

Photo Courtesy: Vansh Rishi

Which designers have you enjoyed working with the most, and why? 

That’s a tough one! Honestly, I’ve had a great experience with almost every designer I’ve worked with, so it’s hard to pick a favorite. Each designer has made me feel confident and empowered when I model their designs. What I really love is how they always give me outfits that let me show off a different side of myself on the runway, which makes every experience feel fresh and exciting.

Can you tell us about your experience as a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic reporter? 

What do you enjoy most about it? I love being a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic! It gives me the opportunity to watch movies, TV shows, and short films and then review them, which I have a blast doing. I also get to conduct interviews with some amazing people in the entertainment industry. My favorite part must be the interviews—I’ve learned so much from talking to actors and directors. Being a KIDS FIRST! Film Critic keeps me up to date with what’s happening in the industry, and I get to connect with such amazing talent. 

How do you balance your modeling and acting career with your interests in human biology, coding, and entrepreneurship? 

I balance my modeling and acting career with my other interests by creating a detailed timetable and planning out my week hour by hour. I also love making to-do lists because they help me stay on track with my daily goals. Sometimes, I even find ways to combine my passions, by finding opportunities that merge fashion & acting, with medicine, coding, and entrepreneurship. 

What is your “Confident Smiles” initiative about, and what motivated you to start it? 

Confident Smiles embodies everything I am: an advocate for good health, a firm believer in self-confidence, and someone who loves to make others smile. My goal is to educate the youth of today (both online and in person) about the importance of having good oral health habits while also equipping them with the necessary dental health tools they need to cultivate a healthy and happy smile while also leaving them with the importance message that no matter what their smile looks like, to continue to show it off no matter what. The biggest thing that motivated me to start Confident Smiles was my own personal struggles with my oral health. I had 4 cavities before I entered the 3rd grade, and I chipped my front while I was in the 6th grade, and these incidents destroyed my confidence. However, I’m grateful that my family encouraged me to keep smiling, and I was fortunate enough to get those dental issues fixed. But I know not every child or teen is as lucky, and that’s why I want to make a difference. I want to help prevent other kids and teens from going through the same dental health struggles I did.

How do you maintain your self-confidence and creativity in such a competitive industry? 

I maintain my self-confidence and creativity in the entertainment industry by constantly reminding myself that everyone is on their own unique path. When I’m at a casting or submitting an audition, I always tell myself that it all comes down to what the casting director is looking for and that if a job is truly meant for me, it won’t pass me by. This mindset helps me deal with rejections, while also keeping me grounded.  

What are some challenges you’ve faced in your journey so far, and how have you overcome them? 

I’ve faced my fair share of challenges in my modeling and acting journey. I’ve had my heels fall off on the runway, dealt with creepy individuals acting weird around me, and even ended up in the hospital after passing out on set. It’s been anything but smooth! But I’ve learned to overcome these moments by reminding myself that I’m only human. I make mistakes, but I also learn from them and take steps to avoid them in the future. After my shoe fell off, I quickly realized how important it is to practice walking in the shoes beforehand. I’ve also learned not to post my location at events for safety reasons, and the biggest lesson of all—taking care of my health on and off set is key!

Photo Courtesy: Carlos Vincent

How do you envision your future in the fashion and entertainment industries? 

I see a bright future for myself in the fashion and entertainment industries! I envision doing big commercial and fashion campaigns for top designers—maybe even becoming the face of a brand one day. I also dream of acting on big-budget sets alongside some of my acting idols (Austin Butler, I’m looking at you!). But most importantly, I hope to inspire a new generation of creative young minds, showing them that they can chase multiple passions and be successful at whatever they put their minds to, as long as they’re willing to put in the hard work.   

What advice would you give to other young aspiring models and actors? 

My advice to aspiring models and actors is to realize that no matter what the public or people in your inner circle say about you trying to pursue your dream, you must have the confidence to continue regardless of who is trying to bring you down. Breaking into the entertainment industry will wear you down physically and mentally, so I also encourage aspiring talent to find a strong and reliable support system. And most importantly, remember that your goals are completely achievable! Just set clear goals and take the action steps to make them happen. 

How do you stay grounded and focused amidst the excitement of your rising career? 

I stay grounded and focused by reminding myself how blessed I am. I’m lucky to go to a school that gives me the free time to chase my modeling and acting dreams, and my family makes sacrifices every day to support me. I know that as quickly as things can take off, it’s just as easy to lose momentum and end up back at square one. So, I make sure to appreciate every opportunity I get and stay present in the moment.

What are your goals for the next few years, both in modeling and acting and how do you plan to achieve them? 

Over the next few years, one of my main goals in modeling is to sign with agents in every major fashion capital around the world, network with different models, photographers, and designers, and get booked for consistent modeling jobs every week. To achieve this, I’ll be doing a lot of research on agencies I want to sign with, improving my public speaking skills by making it a goal to talk to as many people as possible at networking events, and always looking for new castings. For acting, my biggest goal is to star in a big-budget film and land a lead or recurring role on a TV show. I plan to reach this by finding the right agencies that can help me get auditions for those kinds of roles and continuing to take acting classes regularly to keep improving.

Photo Courtesy: Carlos Vincent

Tia Ola is currently represented by GTK PR Agency, LLC in Los Angeles, California, for her public relations needs. You can follow Tia’s journey on Instagram at @tia_olatunji.

Published by: Martin De Juan