Rising Stars: Meet Angélique of New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angélique.

Hi Angélique, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Houston, Texas, where I went to college as a double major in theater and fashion design. I always knew that I wanted to exist in a world centered around self expression, creativity, and storytelling. My transition truly began after moving to New York City, where I was able to fully step into myself both personally and professionally.

Over the years, I’ve worked across multiple industries including fashion, nightlife, community organizing, and healthcare advocacy, all while building myself independently. Modeling opened doors for me creatively, but my path has never been limited to aesthetics alone. I’ve always been deeply passionate about people, especially marginalized communities, and creating spaces where others feel empowered to exist authentically.

A major part of my journey has been balancing ambition with resilience. There were moments where I faced discrimination, instability, and the pressure that often comes with existing at the intersection of being Black, trans, feminine, and outspoken. Instead of allowing those experiences to harden me, they deepened my purpose.

Today, I continue to evolve as a model, creative, speaker, and advocate. I’ve had opportunities to collaborate with organizations focused on health equity and community outreach, speak publicly about identity and visibility, and cultivate a platform that blends fashion, culture, vulnerability, and intention. I’m still growing, still learning, and still becoming, but I think that’s the beauty of the journey.

At this stage in my life, I’m most interested in building something lasting, creating meaningful work, expanding representation in spaces where people like me are often overlooked, and showing others that authenticity can coexist with ambition, softness, and success.

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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think the challenges I’ve faced have shaped me into the person I am today. Existing in the world as a Black trans woman comes with a unique set of obstacles, especially within industries like fashion, modeling, and acting that often celebrate diversity publicly while still struggling with genuine inclusion behind the scenes.

There were moments where I dealt with discrimination, instability, rejection, and feeling overlooked despite knowing what I bring to the table creatively and professionally. I’ve had to navigate housing insecurity, financial hardships, difficult work environments, and the emotional weight that can come with constantly having to prove your humanity in spaces that don’t always make room for people like you.

At the same time, I’ve also had to learn how to protect my softness and not allow difficult experiences to make me cynical. That’s probably been one of the biggest lessons for me. Resilience is important, but so is remaining connected to joy, creativity, vulnerability, and community.

A lot of my journey has been about rebuilding and redefining success on my own terms. Even during uncertain periods, I continued creating through modeling, acting, advocacy, and public speaking while showing up for my community and believing that my story had value. I think those experiences gave me depth, perspective, and empathy that now influence everything I do and the way I move through the world.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a creative, model, actor, advocate, and public speaker whose work exists at the intersection of fashion, storytelling, visibility, and community. A lot of what I do is rooted in authenticity and human connection. Whether I’m modeling, speaking at an event, creating content, or working within advocacy spaces, I always want people to feel something real.

I specialize in bringing depth and presence into every space I enter. Coming from both theater and fashion design backgrounds has shaped the way I approach creativity. I’ve always been drawn to transformation, emotion, visual storytelling, and creating experiences that feel intentional rather than performative. I think that’s part of what makes my work resonate with people.

Alongside modeling and acting, I’ve also worked within healthcare advocacy and community outreach, particularly around prevention, sexual health awareness, and supporting marginalized communities. That work is incredibly important to me because I never wanted my platform to exist only on a surface level. Representation matters, but so does impact.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to keep going and continue evolving despite the challenges I’ve faced. I’m proud that I’ve remained authentic in industries that often pressure people to shrink themselves or become more digestible. I’m also proud of the relationships and community I’ve built through simply being myself openly and unapologetically.

I think what sets me apart is that I don’t approach creativity from only one angle. My life experiences, my background in theater and fashion, my advocacy work, and my personal journey all inform the way I present myself and connect with others. There’s a softness, resilience, and intentionality behind everything I do, and I think people can genuinely feel that.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is love and wanting to showcase that to the world. I truly believe love is one of the few things that is free and endlessly shareable, whether that’s through kindness, art, community, vulnerability, or simply the way we treat one another. In a world that can often feel harsh or disconnected, I think leading with love is one of the most powerful things a person can do.

A lot of my journey has taught me the importance of compassion, both for myself and for others. I’ve experienced moments that challenged me emotionally, creatively, and personally, but love has always remained the thing that reconnects me to purpose. It’s what inspires the way I create, the way I show up for people, and the way I move through the world.

Whether it’s through fashion, acting, advocacy, or everyday interactions, I want people to feel seen, understood, and human. To me, success is not just about visibility or achievement, it’s about creating genuine connection and reminding people that softness, empathy, and authenticity still matter.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texassangell?igsh=YjAyd2cwa2hoOWxv&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
BFA
Maxwell Vice
Laquan Dawson