We recently connected with Kayla Shields and have shared our conversation below.

Kayla, appreciate you joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first project I ever earned money from was a music video where I played a younger version of a singer. It was such a cool experience, especially since the story was about an LGBTQ first love, which made the role really meaningful to me. Representation is so important, and I wanted to give it everything I had.
The day was so fun—everyone on set was super creative and really nice. My counterpart in the video was so funny and we laughed pretty much the whole day. I got to add pink to my hair which I loved! After that shoot, I realized how much I loved being part of something creative like that, and I knew it was what I wanted to keep doing.

Kayla, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always loved performing. When I was a younger, I was active in theater and thought it was so fun to step into different characters and tell stories. I also used to watch America’s Next Top Model with my mom, and got interested in modeling. When I was 11, I convinced my mom to let me start an Instagram account and started going to castings. Not long after, I booked my first jobs and signed with my first agent.
Since then, I’ve been working as a model and actor, and last year, I signed with an agent in LA, which has been a huge milestone for me. Recently, I’ve also started styling photoshoots. I love coming up with concepts that feel fresh, creative and speak to other teens. I really enjoy seeing those ideas come to life on set. This spring, I’ll be styling the Spring/Summer concept shoot for Daniela Jay Fashion, which I’m super excited about. I’m hoping to incorporate more styling work going forward.
Over the past three years, I’ve worked with some amazing brands and built up my social media following, but I’m most proud of the growth I’ve had in my work and creativity. I’ve been training with a great acting coach to keep developing as an actor. I’m a brand model for International Heritage Fashion Week in New York and I work with Glow Beverages.
I put so much time and energy into everything I do. I love working with younger models, mentoring when I can, and just bringing good energy to shoots—it’s important to me that the process is fun and collaborative for everyone involved.
For anyone following me, I hope they see my dedication and how much I love what I do, whether I’m in front of the camera, behind it, or coming up with ideas to make a project stand out.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I convinced my mom to let me start an Instagram when I was 11, and that’s how my social media journey began. A few years later, I joined TikTok, and this past summer, I started my YouTube channel.

To build a real audience, I think the most important thing is to create content that’s authentic to you. If you’re just chasing trends, your content won’t feel genuine, and people can tell. So, stay true to yourself and what feels right for you.

For anyone just starting out, I’d say engage with creators in the space you want to be in. Follow people who inspire you, comment, interact, and also make sure to engage with your own followers. Don’t leave comments unanswered—building a community is key.

And a quick tips—watch out for scams! There are definitely some great people online, but there are also a lot of things to be careful about, so always do your research.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is watching a project go from just an idea and moodboard to the final product. I love the whole creative process—the challenges, the twists, and everything that comes with it. Even after putting so much into it, when I finally see the finished piece, it still feels new and exciting, like seeing something fresh come to life even though I’ve helped shape it every step of the way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylaeofficial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kaylaeofficial
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kaylaeeofficial

Image Credits

The Butterfly Photography
Kristen.S.Photo
Pati K Art Studio