Check out our interview with gorgeous Miss Teen World America Connecticut Mya Xeller. Mya was also the 1st Runner Up at Miss Teen World America in Las Vegas this past October.
She is a professional model at 5”10 and has modeled for many Top designers and just appeared on a billboard in time square.
Mya is also a professional dancer and appears as the lead in a music video for upcoming recording artist Peter Cestaro. She also has appeared as a National Cover Model & print model for various magazines. Along with her pageant & modeling career, she is also a singer and dancer and has performed at big venues including Citifield.
Follow Mya at @myaxeller
Hi Mya, please tell us a little about you?
I have held many National Titles and am the Current Miss Teen World America Connecticut & was 1st Runner Up at Miss Teen World America in Las Vegas this past October. I have modeled NYFW with many designers & recently starred in a music video for upcoming recording artist Peter Cestaro. I have also appeared as a National Cover Model & print model for various magazines. Along with my pageant & modeling career, I am also a singer and dancer and have performed at big venues including Citifield. My face can be seen on social media advertisements for various pageants, makeup artists and photographers. This past February during NYFW I appeared on a billboard in Times Square for fashion line House of Barretti and shoe designer Marc Defang. I also have been filming for a new reality TV show Next Big Thing coming to Amazon!
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Goofy, determined, Big-hearted
Name one your strengths?
One of my strengths is caring for others, and the way that they feel. I am always the one who makes sure people are okay when no one else seems to care.
Best advice ever given?
The best advice I’ve ever been given was to wait for my time. It’s not always going to be your time to shine, but when it comes it will be amazing!
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
My mom is my absolute best friend. She has been the biggest influence on my life, and the person I look up to most. She is the strongest, most hard working woman I have ever met.
How and when did you start into modeling?
My modeling interest started when I began doing pageants. At the age of 11 I did my first pageant which allowed me to model up on stage and I instantly was hooked.
What is fun and rewarding about modeling? And what is not?
The most fun part about modeling is meeting so many new people all the time, who most of the time become life long friends. What I find most rewarding about modeling is seeing myself in magazines and on billboards and being so grateful for how far I have come, and all the people who helped me get to that point. Although modeling is amazing, there are things that are not as rewarding that come along with it such as the fact that it is so competitive and it forces people to compare themselves to others which isn’t always healthy for the mind.
Now tell us about your current Miss Teen World America Connecticut title? Congrats!!
I was actually a very late entry into the pageant, and I only had about a week to get prepared. Once I won I was in total shock and I knew I had a long and exciting journey ahead of me.
You were also the 1st Runner Up at Miss Teen World America in Las Vegas. Tell us about it.
I just want to start off by saying how grateful I am that I got to experience something so amazing! In Vegas, I got to meet and socialize with girls from all over the country who all had the same mindset to do something amazing in this world just like me. Everytime my name got called for the cuts such as top 20, top 15, top 10, top 5, and then 1st runner up, it was the best feeling ever. I didn’t expect to make it so far into the competition, so I was so surprised and proud of myself. I really gave my all and I represented myself, and my state of CT the best I possibly could have. I’m a strong believer in “ everything happens for a reason” so it just wasn’t my time to take the title for America, but in the end I was beyond proud of myself for making it so far in the competition.
Do you ever get nervous?
I don’t usually get too nervous, but I do get the normal jitters before I get on the stage! The most nerve wracking thing is on stage question because you don’t know what the question is going to be so you have to know how to handle/ answer it up there.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
From my biggest failure I learned to never try and change yourself under any circumstances. Being your honest self is always the right way, and it will always work out better for you in the end!
The most important thing when you are shooting is?
The most important thing when you are shooting is your vibe, your mindset, and your attitude. If you are in a bad mindset, or have a bad attitude, it will show in your shots whether you try and cover it or not.
What’s your advice for the newer models?
My advice for the newer models is to keep your head high and know your worth. In this industry, there is a lot of competition and you are guaranteed to be turned down for some things, but don’t give up! Keep your head high and know that you are amazing and it just wasn’t your time yet.
What part of your job do you find the most challenging?
The part of my job that I find most challenging is time management, especially when it comes to school and socializing. While being a high school student and having such a crazy schedule like I do, it’s hard to manage my time so that I can get my school work done and have time to hang out with my friends. It really comes down to sacrifice. I have had to sacrifice a lot of social events and hangouts with my friends so that I could be at a shoot, or be at a pageant, but I wouldn’t change it for the world because that’s what I love.
Now talking about Social Media, can you share some tips for keeping your Instagram account interesting?
When it comes to Instagram, the best advice I have for keeping your account interesting is being active and interacting with your followers! I like to do Q&A’s on my story all the time so my followers have the chance to talk to me.
What’s next for Mya Xeller in 2020?
In 2020, you will see me on a new reality tv show called Next Big Thing which is coming to amazon! I have also just started a new makeup series on IGTV called “ Makeovers With Mya” and that will continue to grow this year. I may even be competing in a pageant, but stay tuned to see!
Now on the dancing side, what do you love most about dancing?
Dancing is about expressing the way you feel through movement. I’m not a super open person when it comes to expressing my feelings so I love that through dance, I am able to do that.
What type of dance do you like best?
I love tap, and that is also my strong suit!
Which magazine or project is still on your bucket list?
Being on the cover of Vogue magazine is on the top of my bucket list!
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
In five years from now, I see myself living my life to the fullest, traveling the world, experiencing super cool things and maybe with a soulmate! Career wise, I see my modeling career in full swing and I see myself in the tv/movie industry.
What actor/actress do you admire the most, and why?
I really admire Jennifer Lawrence because before she was a star, she was just a girl with a big dream, but now she is the youngest actress in history to receive four Academy Awards.
What is your favorite healthy food?
My favorite healthy food is fruit! I love many kinds of fruit and it’s a perfect go to snack.
And your favorite cheat food?
My favorite cheat food would either be Ben and Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie ice cream, or almond danishes!
What is your own definition of happiness?
My own definition of happiness is proudly being yourself. In a world where we are constantly being hated on and told to be something/ someone different, it’s important to stay true to yourself and keep doing what you love, not what other people want to see you do.
Who is your biggest beauty inspiration?
My biggest beauty inspiration is Jaclyn Hill. She is a beauty influencer who is big on YouTube and she has released multiple palettes that are my favorites to use. She also has overcome a lot of hate and discouraging comments, and continues to rise above it all!
What does fashion mean to you?
To me, fashion means showcasing who you are to the world through creativity and style. When I pick my outfit out everyday I always make an outfit based on how I’m feeling that day, and the vibe I want to portray.
Who are some of your favorite models and designers, and why?
Some of my favorite designers are Chanel, Gucci, Sherri Hill, and Ralph Lauren. I also really like Gigi Hadid.
How would you explain your fashion style and what items in your closet can you not be without?
My fashion style is very bold, I like to stand out when I’m in a room full of people, and I love being different from everyone else! I most definitely can’t be without my high neck long sleeve crop tops because they go with everything from sweat outfits to dressy outfits and a high neck is my favorite look on me.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could meet anyone living or dead it would be Michael Jackson… I have so many questions!
What do you like to watch on TV?
I really love scary shows & movies! For example, I enjoy murder mysteries. But, I also never miss a week of American idol!
What music do you like?
I like so many different types of music… from oldies to new hits! My playlist has a lot of pop, and R&B music, but I really enjoy country as well.
Do you support any charity?
As part of my pageant platform for Miss Teen World America, I chose the fight against breast cancer and breast cancer awareness. This motivated me to start a Go Fund Me page that is helping me raise money to officially start my own non profit organization “All About Pink”.
3 things you can’t leave home without?
I absolutely can’t leave my house without my phone, a clear lipgloss, and of course finishing powder in case I need to touch up my makeup!
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
Sunday’s are a total family day for me! My perfect Sunday is doing fun things with my family, and enjoying a delicious homemade dinner together.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @myaxeller
TikTok: @myaxellerrrr
Quote: “ The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton
Holiday Destination: Christmas in NYC
Drink: French vanilla iced coffee
Celebrity Crush: Zac Efron
Favorite song? Why?
Moonlight by Ali Gatie because the lyrics are super pretty and it gets me in my feels.
Sports Team: Yankees for baseball & Patriots for football
Movie: Grease
