An Inspired Chat with Rio Summers of South Bay area

Rio Summers shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Rio, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A “normal” day in my life starts with me waking up and immediately checking my phone and email (because obviously the world waits for my confirmation that it’s still spinning.) Then I make coffee, which is a big deal considering I quit the stuff for almost ten years and have now come crawling back like it’s an ex I pretend I’m over.
I plan out my day, get myself together, and usually head to group therapy, individual therapy, or whatever meeting is calling my name. I make time for friends or a date if the universe is generous, (it typically is) and somewhere along the way I dive into my music, tweaking what I’ve been working on or writing something new when inspiration taps me on the shoulder.
In between all that, I’m doing my promo work, creating content for social media, checking my email constantly, and handling adulting things like placing orders or calling the government (my favorite). I wrap up the day by catching up on social media, grabbing dinner or cooking, and picking an outfit for the next day if I’m feeling responsible. That’s the routine.. organized chaos with a sparkly bow on top.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rio Summers. Model, actress, singer/songwriter, author, and coach, born and raised in Detroit and now going on 12 years in Los Angeles. Many people first met me on America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 24, but since then I’ve expanded my empire into a fully multi-hyphenated career. My brand is spunky, edgy, authentic, and bold, shaped by a life that’s been anything but ordinary. I always say I’ve lived at least three lifetimes in my 31 years, and I’m still evolving.

My work now spans fashion, film, music, and personal development, all rooted in real experience and transformation. I recently released my first single, “Christmas Sucks 2,” which is now available on most streaming platforms. I’m also preparing to release my debut EP in March 2026 and will be dropping at least one new song each month leading up to it. At the core of everything I do is reinvention, honesty, and showing others that it’s possible to build something powerful from scratch.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was during a Christmas concert in elementary school, I couldn’t have been more than seven. I was cast as one of the “four calling birds,” and they gave us fake cellphones to act out our part of the song. Most of my classmates were nervous and playing it safe, and I remember thinking, ‘Well… that’s not going to be me.’

I went out last, hit the spotlight, struck an “over it” pose, and started fake-arguing on my phone with full attitude -eye rolls, drama, all of it. The audience went wild. The cheers, the laughter, the energy, it was instant connection. I felt electric. That was the moment I knew entertainment was my world. I’ve been chasing that rush of performing ever since.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My defining wounds came early and kept evolving. I experienced homelessness more than once, grew up with deep insecurity about my looks and my worth, and developed a complex about not being “enough” because I was a mixed girl in a predominantly white world. I was rejected, bullied, had my first real relationship ruined out of jealousy, and learned very young how cruel people can be.

Later in life, I survived brain tumor surgery, moved to LA with $850 and a dream, auditioned for and completed ANTM, and then had to navigate both the love and the backlash that came with it.. mostly on my own. I’ve also lost my grandmother, lost my first love, and battled addiction.

I didn’t heal any of this overnight. Healing came through self-awareness, ambition, accountability, grief, and choosing to keep going even when it would’ve been easier to quit. I’ve had to fight to maintain my softness and my poise.. but I did. And here I am. Still standing. Still creating. Still becoming.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely! My brand is built on authenticity and being unapologetically myself, so what you see publicly is very real. The only real difference is that the public version of me is a little cleaner.. I have a bit of a sailor’s mouth and I’m very blunt in real life, especially when I want something my way.

The world gets the sweeter, more polished version of me, but the heart, the drive, the values, and the personality are all the same. And to be fair, I’m already pretty sweet.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand how vital kindness, empathy, and compassion are to the human experience. You truly never know what someone is carrying or who they’re becoming. I’m deeply spiritual, so I believe our interactions matter more than we realize; on a soul level, not just a surface one. Even something as simple as a smile can completely shift someone’s energy and their entire day. I’ve seen it happen.

It isn’t always easy to lead with softness, especially in a world that can feel selfish at times, but it’s worth it. At the core, we all want to feel valued, loved, and like we matter. I move with that understanding every day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/itsriosummers
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialriosummers?mibextid=LQQJ4d&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://YouTube.com/riosummers7838
• Other: https://linktr.ee/RioSummersx3
  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@riosummers?_r=1&_t=ZP-91ymEv52hO2

Image Credits
Erin McConnell
Adam Simms
Roy Berry