We’re looking forward to introducing you to Aria Monique. Check out our conversation below.
Aria , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The most recent moment that has made me most proud is graduating from the University of Missouri Columbia with my Bachelor’s in Health Science! Yes, I finally became a proud MIZZOU ALUMNI. In the first article I shared that I was currently enrolled in my last semester for the third time. To give a quick recap graduating was difficult because I gave birth to my first child before starting my last semester the first time. The pressure to graduate this time was heavy. So heavy that I cried multiple times while doing most assignments. I carried that weight the entire semester because I was told by the Dean of the School of Health Professions that it was my third and last time to be able to graduate from their program. I don’t blame them. I just had to persevere this time. I could NOT give up again. I didn’t only pass my last four classes, but I passed with A’s and B’s. That’s a big deal because as stressed as I was being a mother, full time employee, and full time student I surprised myself with those grades. In my opinion it’s not about saying I have a bachelors degree but to be able to say I FINISHED! It is by the grace and strength from God that I became a college graduate WHILE being a mother.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
God has gifted me with many talents. My gift of music is my first passion, so I am most sensitive about that one. Because of that I have more boldness to walk in the gift of modeling right now. My short term goal is to grow my name and face locally in STL. I know I am meant to be and will be on the cover of a magazine one day, so that is my long term goal with modeling. I am taking the steps and putting in the work to get there by auditioning and walking in fashion shows. I lived in fear for too long when it comes to my gifts, but now I have been telling myself “DO IT SCARED”. I squeezed my stress ball through an entire audition because of how nervous I was. Thank God I did it anyhow because I have been selected! My first fashion week will be New York Fashion Week September 2026!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I had the strong belief that I will be a famous pop star. I no longer believe this because I have grown to learn at least a little what God’s will for my life is and a famous pop star isn’t it. I don’t even desire it anymore. I still have big dreams, but my motive has changed and matured since being a child. Instead of the wanting the stardom and fame I just want my music to reach people and most importantly have a positive impact on their lives.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Aside from almost giving up on graduating from college there was a time we’re I didn’t just want to give up, but wanted to end my life. I was in the early years of highschool and every area of my life felt like it was falling apart. Because I did not have healthy coping skills I turned to cutting my arm every time I felt pain. I had the belief that ending my own life would make all the pain go away. Eventually those around me found out and my mom got me the help I needed. I was put in an Outpatient suicidal program amongst other teenagers and was given a therapist. At the same time of receiving professional help I remembered from the way I was raised who I needed the most. I remembered the one who was going to be able to heal my heart, my broken spirit, and renew my mind was Jesus. Being suicidal made me choose to run back to church on my own and not because my mother, father, or grandmother said to. This marked the first time where I began to chase after Jesus with my whole heart, mind, and soul and build relationship with him for myself.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is not the real me because I show a partial representation of my personality. I don’t present myself the same in different situations or settings. I show different faucets of who I am when around close friends, with family, at church, at home, and in work/business environments. I show bits and pieces of me now because as I grew older I learned about boundaries, so everyone does not have access to my complete self. I am an introvert anyways, so I automatically don’t give total access. I can’t give and show my entire personality to everyone when I also know that who I am is not meant to connect with everyone.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I could absolutely give my very best in all I do even if no one ever praised me for it because I do what I do to make myself proud and to please God. I don’t need people to tell me “job well done”, pat me on my back, or give me a round of applause because I learned how to congratulate myself. I’m not saying I don’t want people to celebrate me, but that it’s not important to me. I use to care too much about receiving praise in my childhood, so I’m glad I grew to become this way. These last few years I even kept my accomplishments to myself. I share my proudest moments now not to receive praise, but because of being told that God’s goodness and blessings in my life is also being shared at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thee__amb?igsh=bmticThpNnhnOHZk&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A8AUJ8qEE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@theeamb
Image Credits
Carol Lara
