Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Miller.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alyssa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story is a constant journey of self-discovery that has turned me from wanting to be seen into the purpose of being heard. Part one is my journey into modeling, bear with me I’m long winded but it gets good. Sometime during high school, I got interested in photoshoots and modeling, so I did a few little things but I didn’t think too much of it. A few years and a gym trainer later, I decided I might actually be able to model, why not try it? I personally am a Google research anything you think of kind of girl, so after hours of research on how to be a model and binge-watching ANTM, I decided to give it a real go. God really just blessed me with putting me in the right people’s paths from that point on, a lot of hard work and practice and investing wisely in this career got me where I am now. I met an incredibly talented mentor who managed me for a while, then an amazing runway director/mentor who taught me runway show life, and met countless awesome photographers, HMUA’s and designers that provided me a wealth of industry knowledge no Googling could get me. I was about seven years into modeling, after being really encouraged one year to go to all the Dallas agencies I legit threw my portfolio out into the world. And after getting all the no’s out of the way (really, a lot of no’s), I was able to get signed to a local agency and complete one of my life goals!
Now here’s where the story gets tricky because right around the same time as my dreams and hard work were paying off, I was in the process of working very intentionally on myself. The thing about that beautiful struggle filled process of digging deep to really learn and understand yourself is it will completely change you in the best way possible. But a lot of your goals will change as your perspective shifts. So, I am blessed that modeling broke me out of my shy little comfort shell and made me feel confident, beautiful, and most importantly dare to be creative and different, but it also made me question what was I really doing it for? I came to the realization, a few years ago actually, that even though paid jobs are great and photo attention and likes are cool, shows are fun, etc… to me, modeling now is more of a creative outlet to make something. The fact that you can create art with the way you pose your body and the way the photographer will line up the shot, it’s a beauty in its own. I will always be a model, but now I know I do it because I love making ART and telling a story through photos. But having the right intentions for something means the world of difference! I’m not searching for this passion anymore; I have this passion and I can use it how I want.
Part II is the part where I learned even though I thought my purpose was to be seen, it was really meant to prepare me to be heard! I had to lay my story out like this to show you the beauty in life’s redirection of what you thought you wanted to verse God’s plan. At this point, I’m super glad I’m not camera shy thanks to years of modeling because my next journey, that was literally out of my wildest dreams was starting my YouTube channel- The Good Life TV. I still have no clue why and how I got into YouTube, it’s really one of those cheesy stories where I woke up one day with this idea in my head thinking this would be so cool, then spent a month trying to map it all out. Ironically, I couldn’t think what to name my channel, then remembered this random hashtag I had been using for the longest time, not ever fully understanding the meaning #TheGoodLife, then it all made sense; God’s kind of funny like that. I just wanted to make a channel sharing how good life can be with God! I started out recording in my bathroom with a ring light while using iPhone apps to edit my 20min videos (pretty sure, I gave myself arthritis or something). Now, within the past two years, I’ve become a full-blown YouTube Vlogger. I’ve now turned my dining room area into a full studio with real equipment, self-taught myself from free videos online how to edit with Adobe Premiere Pro and I started taking some free seminary school courses on theology to better train myself on how to research and lay these topics out. It makes my entire week to hear people tell me one of my video’s had something they needed to hear to keep pushing. We’ve all been there right, I’m just trying to share some good with the world. So now, I’m on a mission to just keep sharing the word, take what I’ve learned and am supposed to share and present it to my new best friend- the camera. So, 10+ years of random life experience and a whole lotta God all got me to this point, and the journey continues….
Has it been a smooth road?
Life is never meant to be a smooth road, you got to learn how to drive over the speed bumps and keep heading to your destination either way. I’ve had many obstacles to overcome in life, in general, but we don’t have time for all of that, catch my Bible study for those testimonies! With modeling, there are always obstacles like maintaining weight in a mentally healthy way, fitting industry standards without losing your personal identity and a lot of hard work that sometimes you feel undervalued for. But my biggest struggle hands down has always been TIME! I need more time in the day, who doesn’t right? I usually become so passionate about a project or concept that I want to get it all done, all planned out, and executed to share immediately. I am admittingly a perfectionist, so it’s always a fight in my own brain to not get so lost in my projects each time. I used to grind until I burnt out, then I realized all the cool IG quotes about sleep when you die, no days off, grind harder, etc. aren’t really realistic and you don’t have to compare your goals to other’s timelines. You still have to make time for yourself to function properly and that includes rest, not just sleep, mental rest after working hard. So now, I still grind hard, but I know when to stop and rest and have a lazy day here and there. Live your life people, do you because you can only do so much in a day!
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I am the creator of my YouTube channel called “The Good Life TV.” I make short Bible Study Series on relatable topics with a fresh perspective on today’s struggles and questions we all have, and I threw my other passion in the mix a bit and also make God & HipHop videos. I am most proud of these videos because they truly all come from the heart. All my insecurities, convictions, fears, pain, experiences, bad habits, lessons learned, etc. have all taken me such a journey of learning and growing with God, so it’s my duty to share what I’ve learned with others so they can be free. I’m not a preacher, but I do know God very well and I know that sometimes we go through things so we can share it with others, so here we are! I’ve discussed hot topics like forgiveness, mixed messages in the media, spiritual growth, thinking better and social media triggers. I also make God & HipHop videos, which has become a really cool concept. I’m taking a look at mainstream hiphop artists (J.Cole, Kendrick, Joey Bada$$, Childish Gambino, Rapsody… to name a few) to highlight the fact that these mainstream artists if you listen close, are really talking about God. Like, spitting real lyrical bars, free game, hot fire and then they hit you with this Godly advice, and most people miss it, or wouldn’t even give it a chance because the way it’s presented. But I am here to teach that you can literally find God in everything, and you should especially find it in things you are listening to, otherwise, it’s not going to feed you. My proudest moments so far with running this YouTube are the people who message me or interact with the videos content because it resonated with them. I really am trying to create a community where people are comfortable to just be them and we can openly talk. I’ve also been blessed to so far have BJ the Chicago Kid himself actually like and comment on my video using his song, and TMinus (J.Cole’s music producer) randomly found and liked my latest video of J.Cole’s song. So, that all makes me feel right on track with my YouTubing.
Also, I am a professional model with over 10yrs experience, signed currently with Grogan Management here in Dallas, TX. I’m very versatile with modeling. I specialize in editorial, lifestyle, and beauty work mainly, but can execute any concept. I’m most definitely known for being the redhead with blue eyes. I’ve been blessed in my career to be published, walk in several runway shows, fit model for some really interesting companies and just overall make great images based on the client’s need. My work ethic and desire to really fulfill a client’s vision sets me apart.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love that the Dallas scene is so full of creative souls. Watching new waves and the next generation continue on is always inspiring. Whether Dallas is a stepping stone for more or whether you change the game for our city, everyone’s passion is still the same. What do I dislike? Traffic on 30 & 35, one-way streets and downtown parking, and the fact that Fuel City doesn’t deliver, lol, I really love my city!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alyssamillermodel.com
- Email: alyssamillermodel@gmail.com
- Instagram: @alyssamillermodel
- Facebook: @alyssamillermodel
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWTMNckvGnxf8cZOQmLW8A
Image Credit:
@keenancobb, @diabesale, @devinnpierre, @eliizabethgracee
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