Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanna Moakler.
Hi Shanna , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve had a very unconventional journey, which honestly makes for the best stories. I started modeling as a teenager and eventually moved into pageantry, where I was fortunate enough to win Miss USA. That experience completely changed the trajectory of my life and opened doors into television, hosting, acting, producing, and entrepreneurship.
Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats — actress, reality television personality, producer, pageant director, business owner, and most importantly, mom. I’ve spent decades in entertainment and media, but behind all of it has always been reinvention. Every chapter of my life has pushed me into something new creatively and professionally.
In recent years, I expanded into directing the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Utah USA organizations, helping mentor young women and giving them opportunities to grow in confidence, leadership, and their careers. At the same time, I’ve been building businesses in wellness, media, and talent management, while also developing new creative projects including podcasting and writing.
Moving to Dallas brought a different kind of balance into my life. It gave me space to focus on building meaningful businesses, creating a home-centered life, and evolving personally outside of Hollywood chaos. I think where I am today is really the result of resilience, adaptability, and not being afraid to start over when life forces you to.
At this stage, I’m less interested in chasing attention and more focused on building legacy — creating brands, projects, and opportunities that actually mean something and hopefully inspire other women to realize it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. From the outside, people often see the glamorous parts of my life — television, pageants, red carpets, media — but behind the scenes there have been a lot of challenges, heartbreaks, reinventions, and moments where I had to completely rebuild myself.
I grew up in an industry where image is everything, and that can be incredibly difficult emotionally. There were times in my career where I was publicly judged, misunderstood, or reduced to headlines instead of being seen as a real person. Navigating fame, relationships, motherhood, business, and personal loss all while being in the public eye definitely came with pressure.
I’ve also learned that reinvention is not glamorous while you’re living through it. There were moments where I had to pivot professionally, take risks on myself financially, and walk away from situations that no longer aligned with who I was becoming. Entrepreneurship has taught me a lot about resilience because behind every “successful” brand or project are sleepless nights, setbacks, uncertainty, and learning curves people never see.
One of the biggest challenges has honestly been balancing ambition with personal healing and family. As a mother, you carry your heart outside your body all the time, and trying to build businesses and maintain a public career while also protecting your peace and your family can be incredibly emotional.
But I also think the struggles are what shaped me. They forced me to become stronger, more grounded, and more intentional about the life I want to build moving forward. I’ve learned that success isn’t really about fame or titles — it’s about surviving difficult seasons without losing yourself in the process.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve built a career that really sits at the intersection of entertainment, media, branding, and women’s empowerment. Most people initially know me from winning Miss USA and from television, but over the years my work has evolved far beyond that.
Today, I work across several industries. I direct the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Utah USA organizations, where I mentor and help develop young women both personally and professionally. That role is incredibly meaningful to me because it’s not just about crowns or stage presence — it’s about confidence, leadership, communication skills, and helping women realize their potential.
I’m also an entrepreneur and creative producer. I’ve been developing projects in wellness, media, podcasting, and talent management, while continuing to work in entertainment and digital branding. A lot of what I do now focuses on building modern brands and creating opportunities for people to grow their platforms and businesses in authentic ways.
I think what sets me apart is that I’ve lived through so many different versions of this industry. I understand the entertainment world from multiple perspectives — in front of the camera, behind the scenes, as talent, as a producer, as a director, and as a businesswoman. That experience gives me a very grounded perspective on both success and reinvention.
What I’m most proud of honestly isn’t one title or television moment. It’s the fact that I’ve continued evolving. I’m proud that I’ve been able to rebuild myself through different chapters of life, remain relevant in constantly changing industries, and create opportunities not only for myself, but for other women as well.
I’m also incredibly proud of being a mother while balancing everything else. No matter what career accomplishments happen, that will always be the role that means the most to me.
How do you think about happiness?
Honestly, the things that make me happiest today are much simpler and more meaningful than they used to be.
My family and my children are at the center of everything for me. No accomplishment, title, or headline has ever compared to the feeling of being a mom and watching the people you love grow and thrive. That kind of love changes your perspective on everything.
I also really love creating — whether it’s building a business, producing an idea, mentoring contestants, writing, or developing a brand from scratch. I’ve always been someone who feels energized by creativity and reinvention. There’s something fulfilling about taking an idea that exists only in your head and bringing it to life.
Animals make me ridiculously happy too. My house is basically controlled by pets at this point, and honestly, I’ve accepted my role in the monarchy. The cats run emotional operations, the husky handles security, and I just pay the bills. It’s fine. I’ve made peace with it.
I’ve also learned to appreciate quieter things: cooking at home, movie nights, traveling, being in nature, laughing with people I trust, and having genuine connection instead of surface-level noise. Living in Dallas helped me reconnect with that side of myself. Life feels more grounded here.
I think happiness for me now comes from peace, purpose, and authenticity. When you’ve lived through enough highs and lows, you stop chasing what looks impressive to other people and start valuing what actually feels real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ShannaMoakler.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannamoakler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialshannamoakler/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ShannaMoakler?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheShannamoakler
