We were lucky to catch up with Niyah Jean-Pierre recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Niyah, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I think I always kind of knew! Ever since I was really little, I loved being in front of the camera, dressing up, posing, and performing. Whether it was modeling for fun or acting out scenes at home, it made me feel alive. When I did my first fashion show in NYFW I remember thinking, “This is what I want to do!” My uncle inspired me to pursue acting after listening to him on Netflix for a Voice Over series. I thought that was cool. My dad saw my love for fashion, so he encouraged me to be an influencer and inspire other kids to follow their dreams, too.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! My name is Niyah Imani Jean-Pierre. I’m a 13-year-old model, actress, and teen influencer. I’m based in the U.S. and have worked with amazing brands like Mia Belle Baby, JustStrong, Frogsac, Rare Editions, Elemental Bottles, and more. I create content that’s fun, inspiring, and age-appropriate for kids and teens. I love bringing confidence and creativity to every project — whether it’s a photoshoot, fashion campaign, commercial, or acting role.

I started in the industry two years ago. My very first booking was with PBS Kids Talk About, and from there things started to grow. My grandmother is my manager, and she’s played a big role in guiding my career and supporting my dreams. I had the chance to act in my first feature film called “My Soulmate the Movie,” where I played a supporting role next to the legendary Marva King. That was a big moment for me. Most recently, I filmed a documentary here in California — it hasn’t been released yet, but I’m really proud of the work we did.

In addition to acting and content creation, I’m also a runway model. I’ve walked in New York Fashion Week, L.A. Fashion Week, and Bridal Fashion Week, and have had the honor of walking for at least 12 different designers so far. Being on the runway makes me feel powerful and proud.

This summer, I’m attending a performing arts camp in Los Angeles (LATC) to keep building my skills in acting, movement, and performance. I always want to keep learning and growing.

Out of everything I’ve done so far, what I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come in such a short time. I started with just a dream, and now I’ve been on sets, walked big runways, worked with major brands, and even appeared at the Kids’ Choice Awards fan pit. I’m proud of my work, but I’m also proud that I’ve stayed true to who I am — someone who works hard, spreads kindness, and represents young girls in a positive light.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part is being able to express myself and inspire others at the same time. Whether I’m acting, modeling, or creating content, I get to tell stories, share emotions, and connect with people in a real way. I love hearing from other kids who say, “You made me feel confident” or “You inspired me to go after my dreams.” That means everything to me. Also, being creative lets me explore different parts of who I am — it helps me grow, learn, and believe in myself more every day.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I cannot take credit for building my social media to what it has become in just 2 years. My grandmother, my manager, is behind it. She is beginning to teach me this summer, now that I am 13, what goes into it.
Building an audience on social media started with just sharing what I love — modeling, fashion, acting, and moments from my everyday life. It takes time to engage and support others. We stayed consistent with my posts, used hashtags, collaborated with other creatives, and always made sure the content stayed true to who I am.

My biggest advice for anyone starting out is: be yourself, stay consistent, and don’t become frustrated. People connect when they feel you are genuine and real. Post what you love, engage with your audience, and support others too. It takes time, but if you stay true to your voice and put in the effort, your community will grow. I am hoping to learn a lot about it this summer. I am learning that it is a daily task.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @niyahimani21 and @niyahthemodel2012
• Other: TIKTOK: @niyahimani6

Image Credits

Blue gown and story feature photo: @valluvcreations

All others: @talentbossonthego (Marie Fonrose)