In a Caribbean region where colorism has left its lasting effects, women like Mileya Baptiste were often made to feel less than beautiful! There is not enough representation of women with strong, afro-centric features in the fashion industry and Caribbean media, but that is slowly changing. Every time Baptiste steps in front of a camera or on the stage of a Carnival band launch, she is not only enjoying her Nubian regalia but she is also fighting for racial parity in the Caribbean.
People often underestimate the mental fortitude it takes to move away from everything and everyone you know, to go out into the world and chase a dream. Hailing from San Fernando – the second most populated municipality in Trinidad & Tobago, Baptiste undoubtedly possesses this mental fortitude and has positioned herself as an international cultural ambassador for her beloved twin-island republic. Baptiste has jet-set across the globe, representing Caribbean culture while dotingly flaunting her glabrous body in a plethora of modeling engagements.
Baptiste’s faultless melanin skin and strong afro-centric features have contributed greatly to her astronomical rise in the fashion industry. Baptiste’s enchanting physical features are all substantiated by maturity and grounded perspectives that are way beyond her years. She was only seventeen when she broke into the fashion industry and it’s her emotional intelligence that has given her the ability to sustain her presence in this rigid sector of entertainment.
Although Baptiste is supremely confident in her work as a model, she maintains a level of self-efficacy and gratitude. She revered the opportunity to worked with designers such as Naballah Chi, Shaun Griffith’s Perez Designs, Aaron Moneer (Moneer Designs), and Mark Anthony Designs. Baptiste’s light-hearted personality makes her a delight to work with and photographers such as Matthew Creese, Carlos Alexander and Miguel Tanakiam, can all attest to the pleasant experience it is to work with her professionally.
CARIB VOXX: Did you experience body shaming growing up, and how did you find peace in combating these insecurities?
Baptiste: “I did not experience body shaming while growing up; I was always confident in my body and skin. However, growing up I was ridiculed because of my skin color but I never let it bother me. As I got older, I focused less on the negativity and just embraced who I am.”
CARIB VOXX: How do you stay grounded and humble despite your social media clout?
Baptiste: “I see myself as any other person. I’m a normal person like everyone else, but I still try to use my platform to make something out of it – staying focused and positive on the outcome I want!”
CARIB VOXX: Can you tell us about some of the entrepreneurial ventures that you would like to embark on in the near future?
Baptiste: “I would love to travel to different countries, starting a vlog to capture the trips while experiencing and filming the different cultures.”
CARIB VOXX: One of your lifelong dreams was to be a lawyer. What is it about Law that you find compelling and do you still think you will peruse this?
Baptiste: “My main goal in life is to become a lawyer because they work to represent individuals and businesses in civil trials. I also noticed that there is a lot of injustice in the criminal justice system, and I believe that I can be a good asset in the industry.”
CARIB VOXX: Do you think Caribbean women are socialized with healthy concepts of sensuality and body acceptance?
Baptiste: “Since the millennial norm is being thick, it has become regular for us to be a bit obsessive about our body types. Recently in the Caribbean, acceptance is slowly but surely coming along, but older persons are not as accepting of new body types.”
