Today we’d like to introduce you to Aniya Seymonè.
Hi Aniya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts with me at 22—fresh out of a broken relationship and moving back into a home that already carried its own fractures. October 2024 felt like a reset I didn’t ask for, but one I clearly needed.
I was told I had no ambition. No real skills. Nothing that would help me survive, let alone thrive, in this world. Unfortunately, that wasn’t new to me. Those words had followed me throughout my childhood, clinging to me like a narrative I was expected to accept as truth. For a long time, I almost did.
Instead, I did what anyone with a quiet fire in their chest eventually does—I proved every doubt wrong.
It only took one person truly seeing me for something to shift. That moment became the beginning of everything. In just two months, I evolved from Aniya Daniels into Aniya Seymonè—not just a name change, but a reclamation. A becoming.
Growing up, I was the little brown girl with big dreams and very little support. I learned early how to dream loudly in silence. Social media became a mirror I didn’t yet know how to interpret, and as a young, impressionable girl, I absorbed everything—how I was “supposed” to look, how I should move, what success should resemble, what kind of life I was allowed to want. Somewhere along the way, I forgot to ask who I actually was beneath all that noise.
Then came that random day in November—my first-ever photoshoot. I didn’t expect anything profound. I just showed up. But something unlocked in me the moment the camera clicked. There was no forcing, no pretending. Everything flowed naturally, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like my truest self was being reflected back at me.
I’ve been modeling for over a year now, and I can feel it—my star power moment. The moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life doesn’t feel distant anymore. It feels close. Tangible. Earned.
I work hard. I strive even harder. I carry myself with intention because I know who I am becoming. I know I am worthy of the blessings I’m calling in. I’m no longer asking to be seen—I’m standing ready for my potential to meet the world.
And this is only the beginning.
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?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all—and honestly, I wouldn’t trust it if it were.
The hardest part wasn’t the industry itself; it was unlearning everything I’d been told about who I was and what I was capable of. I had to fight past years of doubt—both from others and from myself. There were moments where I questioned if I was doing enough, if I was enough, or if I was just chasing something that wasn’t meant for me.
I struggled with confidence, with comparison, and with feeling like I was starting late while everyone else seemed ten steps ahead. Social media made that louder—constantly showing me what success “should” look like, while I was still figuring out my own lane. Financial instability, lack of consistent support, and having to build everything from the ground up added pressure that people don’t always see.
But every setback sharpened me. Every uncomfortable moment forced me to grow thicker skin, stronger discipline, and a clearer sense of self. The road wasn’t smooth, but it was honest—and it taught me resilience, patience, and belief in my own vision. Those struggles didn’t slow me down; they shaped me into someone who knows how to keep going, even when no one is clapping yet.
And that, more than anything, is what prepared me for what’s coming next.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a model and creative, but more than that, I’m a storyteller through presence. I specialize in editorial, beauty, and conceptual modeling—work that relies on emotion, mood, and intention rather than just posing. I’m known for my ability to translate feeling into an image, to make a still frame feel alive. Whether it’s softness, power, vulnerability, or confidence, I bring authenticity to every shoot.
What I’m most proud of is that I built myself from the ground up. I didn’t come into this with industry backing, generational connections, or a safety net. I taught myself how to show up prepared, how to study the craft, how to take direction while still maintaining my individuality. I’m proud that I turned self-doubt into discipline and used every “no” as fuel instead of a stopping point.
What sets me apart is my depth. I don’t model to be seen—I model to be felt. My background, my growth, my lived experiences all show up in my work, whether people realize it consciously or not. I have range, but I also have identity. I’m not trying to fit into someone else’s version of beauty or success; I’m building my own. That self-awareness, paired with work ethic and intention, is what makes my presence undeniable.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I see risk as a necessary part of growth, not something reckless but something intentional. For me, risk-taking means choosing discomfort when comfort would keep me stuck. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was starting over after a difficult personal period—moving back home, rebuilding my confidence, and betting on myself when it felt like others didn’t see my potential. There was no guarantee it would work, but staying where I was would have guaranteed that nothing changed.
I don’t take risks blindly. I think about what I might gain, what I could lose, and whether the risk aligns with who I’m trying to become. If the risk helps me grow, learn, or move closer to my goals, it’s usually worth it—even if it’s scary. I’ve learned that most meaningful progress in my life has come from moments where I chose courage over certainty. To me, risk isn’t about having no fear; it’s about moving forward despite it, trusting that I can adapt and learn whatever the outcome is.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/yaitsniyaa
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aniyaseymoneee
Image Credits
@a2w.keam
@modelsandmembers
@idoeverything
@snappedbykm
@benbenandben
