Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Byrd.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story starts in Roanoke, Texas, where my family has lived for over 30 years. I’m the third youngest of the whole family, and we’ve always been a close-knit bunch who show up for one another no matter what.
Growing up, I was often the outcast, the loner, and I struggled with my mental health for much of my life. That struggle led me to drop out of high school and fall into substance use. But once I realized I was wasting my potential, I turned things around, went back, and graduated on time with the rest of my class.
Then COVID-19 hit during my senior year, and it completely reshaped how I saw the world. That shift is where the idea of modeling was born. But it wasn’t until I got seriously ill that I truly started taking my life and my career seriously, and I’ve been moving full speed ahead ever since.
Through my modeling career, I’ve come to understand just how much your mental health and your relationship with your own image shape everything else. Today, I’m in the best mental and emotional place I’ve ever been, and currently looking for representation all over the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been far from easy, whether that’s life getting in my way or my own choices holding me back. As an avid reader of philosophy, I’ve come to appreciate Alan Watts’s idea that the good in life wouldn’t feel as good without the lows to contrast it. From relentless bullying in high school to nearly losing my life in 2024, I’ve learned to embrace both the good and bad moments, because simply being alive, and having the choice to be happy, is a privilege many people never get. I spend my days grateful for this life, and I give thanks to God whenever I can.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been modeling since early 2022 and am currently branching out into acting. I love being a canvas, expressing myself through someone else’s work or vision. In modeling, seeing myself through someone else’s lens and bringing a creative vision to life fulfills something in me that’s hard to put into words. Acting offers something similar, but there’s a unique thrill in watching myself transform and become someone else, even if just for a moment.
I’m most proud of walking for Peder Cho at New York Fashion Week, along with the many local artists I’ve worked with along the way. My passion, talent, and unwavering dedication are what set me apart.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My biggest support throughout all of this has been my mother and my family. So many people have horror stories about families who weren’t supportive or encouraging, but mine has been the complete opposite, and I’ll be forever grateful for that. I love you, Mom. Xoxo.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://canva.link/qcg85k3zpyf0zfk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianajalee
