Hi Mikala Bars! Tell us about who you are and where you are from.
Hi! I’m Mikala Bars! I’m 22 years old and originally from Rochester, New York. I now live in Florida, and I’m a model, dancer, fitness coach, and entrepreneur with a passion for everything involving health, wellness, fashion, and personal growth. I’ve always been someone who loves challenging myself, stepping outside my comfort zone, and pursuing multiple passions rather than limiting myself to just one thing. Whether it’s through modeling, fitness, or building my own businesses, my biggest goal is to inspire others to chase their dreams, embrace who they are, and never stop raising their own bar!
How did you get your start modeling, and how long have you been modeling?
I actually got started in modeling about four years ago! I didn’t take the traditional route of signing with an agency right away. I simply started booking photoshoots, building my portfolio, and putting myself out there. What started as something I wanted to explore quickly turned into a genuine passion. Over the years, I’ve continued to grow, gain experience, and challenge myself with new opportunities. It’s been such a rewarding journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next!
What led you to choose this career path? What makes your story unique?
I’ve always had a passion for performing, creativity, and expressing myself, which really started with my background in dance. As I got more involved in fitness and eventually became a certified personal trainer, I realized how much I loved combining athleticism, confidence, and creativity. Modeling felt like a natural extension of those passions! I think what makes my story unique is that I don’t fit into just one category. I’m a dancer, athlete, fitness coach, and model, and each of those experiences brings something different to the table, yet I still manage to tie them all together somehow. I love being able to challenge the traditional idea of what a model should look like or be capable of!
What was your first modeling gig?
Outside of traditional photoshoots and brand campaigns, my first major modeling experience was walking the runway at Miami Swim Week in May 2025! That was really a turning point in my career and opened the door to a whole new world of opportunities. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, gave me a new level of confidence, and made me realize how much I loved runway modeling. That experience truly kickstarted the next chapter of my modeling career, and I’ve been chasing bigger opportunities ever since!
When did you first get published?
I was first published in a magazine in August 2023, which was such an exciting milestone early in my modeling career! A few months later, in January 2024, I had my first published interview, followed by my very first billboard appearance in March 2024. Having those three milestones happen within such a short period of time was incredibly rewarding and really motivated me to keep pushing myself. It was amazing to see my hard work starting to turn into opportunities I had once only dreamed of!
What types of modeling do you specialize in, and what is your favorite type of modeling?
I primarily specialize in swimwear, fitness, lifestyle, and commercial modeling, but I love exploring different areas of the industry! If I had to choose a favorite, it would definitely be runway modeling. Coming from a dance background, I’ve always loved performing and being in front of an audience, so there’s something about the energy, confidence, and adrenaline of walking a runway that I absolutely love. I also have a huge passion for fitness modeling because it allows me to combine two of my biggest interests. Ultimately, I love the versatility of modeling and being able to express different sides of my personality through each opportunity!
How do you prepare for a shoot?
My preparation is honestly a whole routine in itself! I’m extremely organized when it comes to my skincare, haircare, and body care, so I always make sure my skin is glowing, my hair is looking its best, and I’m covered in body oil before heading out! But beyond the physical preparation, my biggest thing is getting into the right mindset. You’ll usually find me blasting Tate McRae, dancing around, and hyping myself up before I even leave the house. I love showing up to a shoot with tons of energy, confidence, and a positive attitude. I truly believe the energy you bring is just as important as how you look!
What are some of the most memorable shoots that you’ve done?
Some of my most memorable shoots have definitely been in Tulum, Mexico, especially the ones I did inside a cenote! Being surrounded by crystal-clear water in a beautiful underground cave was honestly one of the coolest experiences of my life. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and it almost felt surreal to be modeling in a place that naturally beautiful. Those are the kinds of experiences that remind me why I love what I do so much. Modeling has given me the opportunity to travel, explore incredible places, and create memories that go so far beyond just the photos!
When did you walk your first runway, and what are some of the most memorable catwalks?
I walked my very first runway at Miami Swim Week in May 2025, and that experience completely changed the direction of my modeling career! From there, I went on to walk in Vegas Swim Week, Los Angeles Swim Week, New York Swim Week, and Miami Art Basel, all within the same year!
Some of my most memorable shows were definitely Miami Swim Week, the House of Paradise show in Los Angeles, and the Nalubay Swimwear runway in Las Vegas. But nothing will ever top walking for Omni Beach Life during Miami Art Basel on my birthday. The second I stepped onto the runway, Tate McRae’s “Sports Car” started playing, completely unplanned! Walking for one of my favorite brands, to my favorite song, on my birthday was genuinely one of the most surreal feelings of my life. In that moment, I couldn’t help but reflect on everything I had accomplished throughout the year. To go from my first runway to that experience in just seven months was something I’ll never forget!
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of modeling?
For me personally, it’s definitely my height! I’m only 5’0”, and while I might be 5’8” in heels, unfortunately, some runway shows and high-fashion brands have strict height requirements that I don’t meet. It can definitely be frustrating because there are so many fashion shows I’d love to walk in, but sometimes my height limits those opportunities before I even get the chance to audition. However, I’ve never been someone who lets limitations define what I’m capable of. If anything, it’s motivated me to work even harder, prove myself, and challenge traditional industry standards. I may be small, but I’ve always believed that confidence, presence, and personality can make just as big of an impact as height!
What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of modeling?
The most rewarding part of modeling for me is honestly how much I’ve learned about myself and my own creativity along the way! I love discovering new ways to express my personality, whether that’s experimenting with different poses during photoshoots or incorporating unique movements into my runway walks. Coming from a dance background, I naturally love bringing a little extra performance and personality to everything I do. There’s something so fulfilling about trying something new, stepping outside the traditional expectations of modeling, and seeing my creative vision come to life. Those moments when I get to be completely myself and put my own twist on things are what make modeling so rewarding to me!
Aside from modeling, you are also a professional dancer. How long have you been dancing?
I’ve been dancing since I was just three years old, so dance has truly been a part of my life for as long as I can remember! I grew up traveling and competing in dance competitions, training and performing in contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, acro, and tap. Dance has shaped so much of who I am today, from my discipline and work ethic to my confidence and creativity. It’s always been one of my biggest passions and has played such a huge role in my modeling career, especially when it comes to runway. I genuinely can’t imagine my life without dance, and I love that I get to continue incorporating it into everything I do!
What styles of dance do you specialize in, and which is your favorite?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve primarily focused on hip-hop and contemporary dance, with a little jazz here and there! But hip-hop has always been my absolute favorite and definitely my biggest strength. From a really young age, I naturally excelled in hip-hop and was even moved up to compete against older age groups because of my skill level. That experience pushed me to grow as a dancer and helped me develop so much confidence in my abilities. I’ve always loved the energy, musicality, attitude, and freedom of expression that comes with hip-hop. It’s the style where I feel the most confident, creative, and completely myself!
Do you have any role models that have guided your journey?
Absolutely! I’ve always found inspiration in people who are unapologetically themselves, work incredibly hard, and aren’t afraid to pursue multiple passions. Growing up as a dancer, I looked up to performers who could completely command a stage with their confidence, energy, and individuality. As I’ve gotten older and explored modeling, fitness, and entrepreneurship, I’ve found myself admiring people who have built their own paths rather than following traditional
expectations. I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is to take inspiration from others without losing sight of who I am. I’ve always wanted to create my own story, embrace what makes me different, and hopefully become that same source of inspiration for someone else one day!
What words of advice do you have for people with similar aspirations?
My biggest piece of advice would be to stop waiting for the perfect opportunity and start creating your own! Put yourself out there, take risks, and never let the fear of rejection stop you from pursuing something you’re passionate about. I’ve always believed that consistency, discipline, and confidence will take you further than motivation ever could. Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s, because everyone’s path looks different, and that’s what makes yours special!
I’ve built so much of my career simply by taking chances, believing in myself, and refusing to let limitations define me. Remember, you don’t have to be the tallest, the most experienced, or have everything figured out to make an impact. You just have to be willing to start, keep showing up, and never stop raising your own bar!
What is one thing that you hope people remember you for?
More than anything, I hope people remember me for the energy that I bring and the way I make them feel. Of course, I want to accomplish incredible things in my career, but I think true success goes so much deeper than achievements, recognition, or a title. I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard, stayed true to herself, treated people with kindness, and encouraged others to believe in themselves. My biggest goal has always been to leave people and places better than I found them. If I can inspire even one person to chase a dream they once thought was impossible, that’s something I’ll always consider a success.
Any other endeavors or upcoming projects that we should currently be on the lookout for from you?
While I don’t have any officially confirmed shows or shoots to announce just yet, there are definitely some exciting opportunities and projects in the works! Beyond modeling, I’ve been putting a lot of time and energy into expanding my personal brand, growing my businesses, and creating new opportunities across fitness, fashion, dance, and entrepreneurship. I truly believe 2027 is going to be a huge year for the Mikala Bars brand as a whole, and my team and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead! We’re incredibly grateful for every opportunity, connection, and experience that has brought us to this point. I don’t want to give away too much just yet, but I can definitely say there are some big things coming, and we’re only getting started!
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram – @mikalabars https://www.instagram.com/mikalabars
TikTok – @mikalabars https://www.tiktok.com/@mikalabars
Dance Instagram – @mikala.moves https://www.instagram.com/mikala.moves
Dance TikTok – @mikalamoves https://www.tiktok.com/@mikalamoves
Before you go, let’s ask you an off-topic question. What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
Something people might be surprised to learn about me is how intentional I am about personal development! I’ve created a system I call my Six Pillars: Mind, Body, Spirit, Mission, Legacy, and Relationships. These are the six areas of my life that I focus on improving every single day. Whether I’m modeling, dancing, coaching fitness clients, working in insurance, or building my businesses, I use these pillars to keep myself grounded, disciplined, and constantly growing. I set daily goals within each pillar because I believe success isn’t just about excelling in your career; it’s about becoming the best version of yourself in every aspect of life. My philosophy is to become just 1% better every day, because those small, consistent efforts eventually create extraordinary results. I don’t just want to build a successful career; I want to build a life I’m genuinely proud of!
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
