Micayla Shafran is not just a model; she’s a trailblazer on a mission to redefine what it means to be a beauty queen. Crowned Miss Swimsuit Beauty US Nation 2024 at the Super Chic Miami Swim Fashion Week, Micayla’s journey is one of overcoming self-doubt, embracing authenticity, and inspiring others to see beauty beyond the traditional norms.
From Self-Doubt to the Spotlight
Micayla’s path to the runway wasn’t always a straight one. As a young girl, she struggled with body image, a battle many can relate to. “I always dreamt of becoming a model, but I felt discouraged due to my size,” she confesses. It wasn’t until this year that Micayla decided to seriously pursue her modeling dreams, stepping onto her first runway on June 29, 2024. Her second runway show, Super Chic Miami Swim Fashion Week, not only marked a milestone in her career but also led to her being crowned Miss Swimsuit Beauty US Nation 2024.
Her biggest inspiration? Her mother, Michelle Renee Shafran. “My mom was a model in her 20s and has recently begun modelling again in her late 50s,” Micayla shares. Her mother’s confidence and beauty, both inside and out, motivated Micayla to take a leap of faith. It’s this familial connection and legacy of resilience that Micayla carries with her onto every stage she steps onto.
A New Vision for the Modeling Industry
For Micayla, modeling is about more than just looking good in front of the camera. “The modeling industry creates a platform for leadership to guide young people,” she explains. Micayla sees models as role models, individuals who exude confidence, integrity, and beauty—qualities she embodies and hopes to inspire in others. As Miss Swimsuit Beauty US Nation 2024, Micayla plans to use her title to pursue brand ambassadorships, particularly with brands that celebrate diversity and inclusion. She’s determined to serve as a beacon for young women who, like her younger self, may struggle with body image issues.
“I hope that young girls may look at me and believe that they could be a beauty queen too,” she says. Her mission is clear: to show that there’s room in the spotlight for everyone, regardless of size or shape.
Bridging Beauty and Environmental Stewardship
Micayla is more than just a model; she’s an environmental advocate. A recent graduate from the University of Miami with a B.A. in Marine
Affairs, Micayla is passionate about protecting the planet. “My first love was the ocean,” she reflects, revealing that she’s spent her life studying marine biology and conservation. With her title, Micayla intends to build a platform focused on environmental stewardship, leveraging her experience as an environmental educator to raise awareness about marine science and conservation.
Her vision for the future is as ambitious as it is inspiring. In five years, Micayla sees herself completing her Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) in Coastal Zone Management and beginning her music career—another one of her lifelong passions. An accomplished singer since childhood, Micayla is set to perform at an off-Broadway singer showcase in New York City this summer, a testament to her multifaceted talents.
Breaking Stereotypes, One Runway at a Time
One of the driving forces behind Micayla’s pursuit of the Miss Swimsuit Beauty US Nation title was her determination to shatter the stereotype that a beauty queen must be thin to win. “I believe that health and beauty are not necessarily defined by thinness,” she asserts.
By winning her title, Micayla hopes to demonstrate that healthy is beautiful, and that beauty can manifest in various forms. Her victory is already a powerful statement, challenging the false ideals often associated with both modeling and pageantry.
A Creative Soul
Beyond her achievements in modeling and environmental advocacy, Micayla is also creative at heart. “I write my own music,” she shares, revealing that her phone is filled with voice memos of original songs, riffs, and runs.
Although she hasn’t released anything yet, it’s clear that music is a significant part of who she is. And if that wasn’t enough, Micayla is also an amateur figure skater and does her gel nail manicures at home—testaments to her boundless creativity and drive. Micayla Shafran is a woman of many talents, and as Miss Swimsuit Beauty US Nation 2024, she’s on a mission to inspire, educate, and redefine what it means to be a beauty queen. From her advocacy for environmental stewardship to her determination to break stereotypes in the modeling industry, Micayla is proving that true beauty is about more than just appearances—it’s about the confidence, integrity, and passion that one brings to the world. Micayla’s next step is to compete for the Miss US Nation pageant in October of this year. Support Micayla and follow her on Instagram @micaylashafran.
Media Contact
Company Name: Miss US Nation Pageants
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: support@missusnationpageants.com
Phone: (954) 274-5600
Country: USA
Website: www.missusnationpageants.com
Photo Credits: Linda Pace (Instagram @lpace98 )