Today we’d like to introduce you to Anaiyah Sunshine.
Hi Anaiyah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey has always been rooted in creativity, service, and perseverance. I began modeling more than 20 years ago, and over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work in fashion, beauty, television, film, and live events. Every experience taught me something new—not just about the industry, but about resilience, professionalism, and the importance of building genuine relationships.
Outside of modeling, I’ve dedicated my career to serving the community through Miami-Dade County, where I work in domestic violence services. That role has profoundly shaped who I am. It has reinforced the value of compassion, advocacy, and using my platform to uplift others, especially those facing difficult circumstances.
Today, I’m honored to serve as Ms. Florida America’s United States 2026–2027, a role that allows me to combine my passion for fashion, community engagement, and public service. Whether I’m volunteering, attending community events, mentoring, or representing my state, I strive to show that success isn’t measured only by titles or accomplishments—it’s measured by the positive impact we leave on others.
My journey hasn’t followed a straight path, and I’m grateful for that. Every challenge has prepared me for new opportunities. As I continue to grow, my focus is expanding into beauty campaigns, editorial modeling, and partnerships with brands that value authenticity, while continuing to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career. I truly believe the best chapters of my story are still ahead.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most people, my journey hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. There have been moments when opportunities didn’t work out the way I hoped, projects fell through, or I had to prove myself over and over again. The entertainment and fashion industries are highly competitive, and success often requires patience, consistency, and the ability to keep moving forward even when no one is watching.
I’ve also learned how to balance multiple responsibilities. While pursuing modeling, pageantry, and entertainment, I’ve maintained a career serving my community through Miami-Dade County. Finding that balance has required discipline, sacrifice, and careful time management, but it has also kept me grounded and reminded me that my purpose extends beyond the spotlight.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that setbacks don’t define you—they refine you. Every challenge has strengthened my confidence, sharpened my professionalism, and helped me become more intentional about the opportunities I pursue. Today, I’m much more focused on quality over quantity, choosing projects that align with my values and long-term vision rather than simply saying yes to everything.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey. The obstacles taught me resilience, and that resilience has become one of my greatest strengths.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I consider myself a multidisciplinary creative. While many people know me through modeling and pageantry, my creative journey extends far beyond the runway. Over the years, I’ve built a career that has allowed me to work as a model, actress, singer, makeup artist, stylist, photographer, content creator, and creative director. Every chapter has deepened my appreciation for the artistry that happens both in front of and behind the camera.
My creative foundation actually began in beauty. As a traveling professional makeup artist and stylist, I worked with clients and productions to bring creative visions to life. That experience gave me a unique understanding of lighting, fashion, color theory, and storytelling through beauty. My work as a makeup artist was featured on Vogue Italy and Vogue India online, and those milestones reinforced my passion for creating timeless imagery.
Fashion has always been deeply personal to me. One of the people who inspired my journey from the very beginning is fashion icon Iman. Watching her career helped shape my own dreams of becoming a professional model. Years later, life came full circle when my work led to moments connected to her legacy, including having my makeup artistry documented through Essence magazine’s Street Style coverage and being featured among models shared through her Iman Cosmetics platforms. One of the most meaningful moments came when I personally received a jacket from Iman. I wrote to her expressing my gratitude and shared that she had been one of the reasons I pursued modeling in the first place. It remains one of the most treasured moments of my career because it reminded me how powerful representation can be.
Music has also been an important part of my artistic journey. I had the privilege of contributing as an artist on Angie Stone’s The Cornerstone album, released in 2019, and later recorded a single with Michael Sterling. Those experiences expanded my love for performance and showed me that storytelling can happen just as powerfully through music as it does through fashion and film.
As an actress, I enjoy bringing characters to life, while modeling allows me to communicate emotion and confidence without speaking. More recently, I’ve also fallen in love with photography and content creation. I enjoy conceptualizing shoots, understanding composition, and creating imagery that feels intentional, artistic, and authentic. It’s rewarding to understand every stage of the creative process—from developing the concept to seeing the finished image.
What I’m most proud of is that I’ve never allowed myself to be defined by one title. Whether I’m representing my state as Ms. Florida America’s United States 2026–2027, walking a runway, performing on stage, working on a film set, creating beauty looks, photographing a concept, or serving my community through public service, I bring the same level of passion, professionalism, and purpose.
As I continue to evolve creatively, I’m also looking forward to one day returning to the fashion editorial world and reviving I’ll Dream in Fashion. Storytelling through fashion has always been close to my heart, and I can’t wait to share that next chapter of my journey with the readers of Miami Style.
I believe what truly sets me apart is my versatility. I understand the creative industry from every perspective: the model in front of the camera, the makeup artist preparing the talent, the stylist refining the vision, the performer on stage, the photographer capturing the story, and the creative helping shape the final result. That broad perspective allows me to collaborate with empathy, adapt to different environments, and create work that is both visually compelling and meaningful. For me, creativity has never been about being seen—it’s about creating something that leaves a lasting impact.
How do you define success?
Success, to me, has never been about collecting titles or recognition—it has always been about growth, purpose, and the impact I leave on others.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that success isn’t measured by a crown, a magazine feature, or a milestone in my career. Those are incredible blessings, but they are the result of something much deeper: consistency, resilience, and remaining authentic to who I am.
As a multidisciplinary creative, I’ve been fortunate to work in modeling, acting, music, beauty, photography, and creative direction while also serving my community through public service. Each experience has shaped me in a different way and reminded me that every opportunity carries a responsibility to inspire, encourage, and uplift others.
I also believe success means continuing to evolve. I’m just as excited about learning a new skill or exploring a new creative avenue as I am about reaching a professional goal. Growth has always been one of my greatest motivations, and I never want to stop challenging myself creatively or personally.
Most importantly, I define success by the legacy I leave behind. If people remember me as someone who led with kindness, professionalism, integrity, and a genuine desire to help others, then I will consider my life a success. I want my work to create opportunities, inspire future generations of creatives, and demonstrate that it’s possible to pursue your passions while remaining grounded in service to your community.
At the end of the day, success isn’t about being the most recognized person in the room—it’s about making a meaningful difference while staying true to who you are. That is the kind of success I strive for every day.
Pricing:
- Beauty Campaigns Starting at $500 Commercial Print & Lifestyle Modeling Starting at $400 Brand Ambassador Appearances $150–250/hour (2-hour minimum) Event Hosting / Master of Ceremonies Starting at $350 Pageant Judging Starting at $300 Speaking Engagements Starting at $350 Professional Makeup Artistry Starting at $150 Wardrobe Styling Starting at $100/hour Creative Direction for Shoots Starting at $250 Photography (Portrait/Editorial) Starting at $250 Content Creation for Brands Starting at $350 I welcome collaborations with fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and community-focused brands that value creativity, professionalism, and authentic storytelling
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/anaiyahsunshine or @msflaus
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/anaiyahsunshine
- LinkedIn: https://Www.LinkedIn.com/anaiyahsunshine
