Mode Around the Globe: Nadia Mejia
@nadia.mejia
Photography by Abe Bermudez @abe.bermudez
Location: Radisson Blu Aruba
www.bluaruba.com
@radissonbluaruba
Tell us a little about yourself and how you would describe your personal brand in three words?
Warming, hard working, & zero filter!
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
That although I’m Ecuadorian, I always struggled with Spanish. And a year ago, I dedicated myself to learn the language, and now I’m fluent and was able to represent Ecuador at Miss Universe, speaking with confidence.
What’s your ultimate main-character moment?
I competed at my SuperBowl, Miss Universe. It doesn’t get any more main character than that!
What’s one thing you never travel without?
My daily devotional. With God, all things are possible. Can’t start my day without a dose of Jesus
What does your perfect getaway look like?
Of course I can say sunshine and cocktails, but the reality is, Anywhere I go, I love to immerse myself into the culture and take a cooking class and learn their traditional cuisine. You learn so much about a country through their food.
Are you more of a meticulously planned itinerary girl or “let’s see where the day takes us” girl?
Type B. I hate a plan and love to go with the flow.
What’s your go-to travel outfit when you want to look effortlessly chic?
I travel looking like Justin Bieber circa 2016. Swallowed whole by the clothing. It’s not chic but it makes people think I’m famous in disguise.
What’s one destination at the very top of your travel bucket list?
Japan is the dream.
What is one piece of advice that has had a lasting impact on your life?
Comparison is the thief of joy — Teddy Roosevelt.
What’s one quality you admire most in the people you surround yourself with?
An empathetic heart. A listener. You are who you surround yourself with, and I always want me and my people to radiate graciousness and kindness.
What’s something you’re currently learning, working on, or trying to get better at?
I’m currently in the process of beginning to work alongside my dad who is a music manager and A&R. I’ve grown up singing and being in girl groups, chasing a dream as an artist, but I’ve found I would love to work on the other side and help scout talent and develop them into their fullest potential, which my dad is an expert at. So i plan on taking over his business one day and being a mgmt baddie in the music industry.
If you could spend a day living someone else’s life, whose would it be?
I’ve built my dream life. I don’t want to live anyone else’s! I’ve worked too hard and will continue to work hard for this one.
What’s your ultimate comfort activity after a long day?
Cooking. It’s a complete form of therapy for me. I struggled with food for years and once I healed, I fell in love with it and will always find passion in nourishing my body.
What’s one thing that instantly puts you in a good mood?
FaceTiming my niece Lily.
What does “feeling your best” look like for you right now?
Remembering that my worth doesn’t come from a number on a scale and that no one else’s opinion of me defines my worth. Just genuinely loving who I am and who God made me to be is feeling my best.
What’s a personal mantra or motto you’re currently living by?
You don’t need to be chosen, you need to choose yourself.
What’s one thing you hope people feel when they see the content you create?
That I radiate a real human being!!!! Never too curated, but that we are all friends. I don’t want to be just a model, but genuinely be a role model in a world full of content that creates doubt of our own selves.
If your life had a soundtrack right now, what song would be playing?
Crazy- Gnarls Barkley.
What do you have coming up that you’re really excited about?
I just closed the chapter of being the queen of Ecuador, and now I have so many opportunities in the Spanish market that I’m really excited to share. Big things coming for this Ecua-Gringa! Stay tuned!
What was your favorite part of your stay at Radisson Blu Aruba?
The hotel was absolutely perfect. The ocean views, the delicious food and cocktails, and common areas where I could genuinely build incredible friendships with all of the girls that were part of this trip or something I will never forget. Plus that bed was a cloud.
