We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Khaila Williams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Khaila below.
Khaila, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I knew as a child when I posted my first YouTube video that I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally. As a child, I attended multiple modeling and acting schools along with being a part of stage plays, musicals, concerts, fashion shows, and I even dipped my feet a little in photography.
My family has always been extremely supportive and in the front row seat of every production I’ve been apart of, and I owe a good chunk of my confidence to get up on stage or in front of the camera to them.
Khaila, 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 was born with a rare condition called Sacral Agenesis, now known as Caudal Regression Syndrome. This condition happens once in every 60,000 live births. It is when the lower spine is abnormal; however, in my case, it is completely missing which has left me with a heart-shaped indentation on my back.
When I was born at 3-4 pounds, doctors didn’t think I was going to live. After miraculously pulling through, they said I would never be independent, and my family would just have to “take me home and love me.”
I didn’t start walking on my own until I was around 2-3 years old, and even then, I had to wear braces on my legs because they weren’t strong enough without the bottom portion of my spine.
In kindergarten, I had my first of many major surgeries and hospital stays. After the surgery, I was still in the braces, used a walker, and partook in MANY years of aggressive physical therapy and medical experiments.
In middle school, I was finally able to get rid of the braces, and in high school, I was finally OUT OF THE WOODS and FULLY FUNCTIONAL.
Still a medical mystery, I continue to baffle my doctors on how I’m 95% functional, living on my own, and have earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Albeit, success does not come without obstacles.
My parents did a wonderful job educating me about taking care of my physical health, but they (at no fault of their own) neglected to teach me about mental health. Through all the pain and suffering I endured on my own before seeking help, I’ve learned what it means to be resilient in an environment that didn’t understand me. But with the help of mental health professionals and supporting family members, I’ve also learned that what I went through was unfair and how to strive to be my healthiest self, both mentally and physically.
During the pandemic, I found solace in makeup and beauty, which is how I also learned to express myself. It became one of my most cherished hobbies because not only do I enjoy it, I’m good at it. As I posted my makeup looks on instagram, I began receiving modeling opportunities, which proved to be way outside of my comfort zone, but I did it anyway — and ENJOYED IT.
That’s when I discovered my “why”: to share my experiences in a relatable way so that people who may be confused or scared know that they’re not alone. I also focus on self-care and self-love, as my battles with mental health have taken a huge toll on my self-esteem.
I’m sharing my story because I want the world to see imperfections as beauty. I want to influence others to love their body and own their story. Though everyday is an uphill battle with both my physical and mental struggles, I thank God for giving it to me because He knew I could handle it.
In doing so, I’ve been able to connect with and inspire both men and women to take charge of their mental health and start loving the skin they’re in. I’ve also started modeling as a self-proclaimed ultra-petite model and sharing my experiences with body image issues.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is being able to watch my wildest dreams come true. For the longest time, I was programmed to believe that my body wasn’t as beautiful and that I couldn’t do the things others do because I wasn’t “strong enough.” As I move through my 20s, I’ve realized firsthand that all of this is FALSE, and it’s all because I began my creative journey and ventured out of my comfort zone. I think that seeing myself in magazines, flyers, and professional photos has been such pivotal moments for me because these are tangible things that show my resilience and determination. I’ll forever be proud of the strides I’ve made.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I am on a mission to contribute to changing the perspective of beauty in the fashion and entertainment industry. My platform focuses on highlighting my “unique” body in an effort to show that even us who may be born different are still extremely beautiful and valuable to society. Although we may see our imperfections as flaws, they’re actually the very things that make us the most beautiful. I want to show young girls – especially young black girls – that all of us are beautiful no matter what “flaws” we think we have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.williamskhaila.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: @TheTinyK
- Linkedin: Khaila Williams
- Other: TikTok; @TheeTinyK
Image Credits
Dezirae OzMarie DeAngelo Williams Q’Yara Thompasionas Trey Simmz