Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyrah Venegas.
Hi Kyrah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am 24 years old and I am from Stockton CA. I moved to Los Angeles when I was just 17 years old destined to make a better future for myself. Every greater decision I’ve made for my younger self. I am grateful for my hometown, but a lot of trauma still lives there; I grew up in a small home with a big family, and my childhood consisted of my brother and I having lemonade stands on the sidewalk, running around the yard barefoot playing in the dirt and me begging him to play Barbie’s with me. He was my best friend and to this day still is.
When I look back at my childhood I see so many blissful memories but when I zoom out I see the tragedy attached to those memories. I grew up visiting my mom in jail cells, not knowing who my real dad was, and being raised by a family who I thought was my blood, and if that wasn’t enough I was also a victim of sexual assault in the home that I was raised in. Trauma lives in me, on me, and around me but it’s been my greatest inspiration. I came to Los Angeles to turn my pain into passion, to create a life for myself that I can finally have full control over. Growing up I always wanted to be a fashion designer. I got my first sewing machine and taught myself how to sew when I was about 12, and I’ve been making clothes ever since. I was always very outgoing and loved forcing my family to sit on the sofa while I put on a mini fashion show or performance for them, I think that’s what then sparked my interest for modeling. I signed to my first agency at 15 and since then have been working solely as a model, I’ve modeled for Macys, Seventeen Magazine, Saks Fifth Avenue, Juicy Couture and so many other places I could only dream of affording as a child. I’ve been blessed to live in other countries like India and meet so many amazing talented souls along the way through my modeling career.
Although modeling takes up most of my days, I’ve made sure to still take time for me. I romanticize life a lot, it truly helps me get through some of the harder days. I love going to the ocean, whether it be to surf or just listen to the waves. I love buying flowers, reading books, and sitting under the sun. I let myself go through art; painting and writing poetry have been friends of mine. I am currently working on my very first book called “Beautiful Secrets” set to release this December; I’ve been working on it for the last four years, it’s something I hold extremely close to my heart as it is my soul undressed for the world to see that there’s so much more to me. Since I’ve been in Los Angeles I’ve made a lot of mistakes but I’ve made even more progress, there’s so much pain that comes with growth but I am grateful for it all. Time, art, and experience have brought me to where I am today, I’m thankful for the losses along the way they pushed me to go harder.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest obstacles in life for me have been the lack of trust I’ve had for people and the inability to allow love in and even love myself. Life has been a roller coaster, and I’ve lost a lot of people and relationships along the way, born without a choice into a broken family has left me so many scars, but what left me even more hurt was being taken in by a family who I wasn’t biologically related to, only for them to walk out my life as an adult as if I didn’t have enough people abandon me as a child. When I finally gained the strength to speak up and tell the family that raised me that I was sexually assaulted in the home we lived in by my “Uncle” when they weren’t around, like most victims I was shut out and accused of lying. That heartbreak was a feeling I never want to feel again. I felt alone and struggled with a sense of self-worth for a while because of it. But after time passed I knew I had to accept that what happened to me was wrong and even if I had to face it alone, it needed to be faced in order for me to heal and build the future for myself that I’ve longed for. It is my job to heal the generational trauma of silence that not only I have had to face but the whole bloodline of the women in my family who have dealt with the same things but were also pushed into silence. I choose to stand in resilience for my younger self, for my mom, my grandmother, my aunties, and all the woman who’s suffered the same pain. Although life hasn’t always been the smoothest, I think that’s the beauty of it. Having hard times makes you more appreciative of the good. I’ve been making something beautiful out of my pain.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a model, designer, and writer. Each job allows me to express myself creatively in different ways which I am grateful for. I’ve been working as a full-time model for the last six years, I’ve been extremely blessed to work for brands all over the world; modeling has also benefited my career in designing as well, as it allowed me to meet amazing people and designers that I’ve been able to collaborate with along the way. I specialize in dresses. I’ve made garments for proms, weddings, birthdays, music videos and I’ve even hand-sewn a dress worn by Erykah Badu.
When it comes to writing I’m inspired by my past and the little things in life that I see make us all happier. I’ve always kept a journal as a kid but when I turned about 19 is when I found a real love for reading and writing poetry. As of recently, I am finishing up on my very first book “Beautiful Secrets” that has taken time, tears, and patience.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There’s no better resource for happiness in life than nature. Spending time outdoors has helped me heal, helped inspire my art, and has helped me love myself. Taking time to be in solitude outside is the best medicine for the soul.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyrahmelena/
Image Credits
Nicole Arruda Caleb and Gladys Lena menlnik Parsons Elsa wubeye
