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Meet Mya Xeller. This talented teen is a professional model, pageant queen and part of the star-studded cast of the reality series Next Big Thing NYC. We talked to Mya to learn all about what it's *really* like to film a reality show, what has helped her succeed and stay confident and the advice she has for teens everywhere. Keep reading for the top 5 things to know about Mya...

1. Next Big Thing NYC was a life-changing experience.

"Next Big Thing NYC was the first TV show I'd ever filmed, so it was kind of scary [at first]. I wasn't used to having cameras there at every angle, filming everything I say or do. I'm not camera-shy or anything—but it was definitely new to me. I think the coolest thing about the show is that it shows both the business and the real side of having a career as a teen. That's why it's called Next Big Thing—we're on the rise in our generation, hopefully. But we also have friendships and relationships and fun just like normal teenagers."

2. Her mom is *major* inspiration. 

"My mom is the strongest person I know. She puts in countless hours to support me and the rest of our family, and she's just so selfless and always puts others before herself. She's my best friend and my support system. When I have my own kids in the future, I hope I can be just like her. I wouldn't want to be anything less." 

3. Pageants have been a big part of her journey.

"I think that, looking from the outside in, a lot of people think that pageants are superficial and just about the hair and makeup and dresses. I totally understand thinking that way when you're not looking deep enough into it—when I did my first pageant, I just thought, oh, I'm going to get my hair and makeup done and wear this pretty dress. But after competing for years, I've realized all the hard work that goes into winning titles. It's not about winning the crown, it's about winning the platform. Pageants got me started doing community service and fundraising—toy drives, eyeglasses collections, even starting my own organization All About Pink and partnering with a nonprofit dedicated to fighting breast cancer. It's about helping others and being a role model and being an authentic person, and I'm so grateful for those opportunities."

4. Friendship = everything.

"I literally love everybody on Next Big Thing NYC. We made so many memories together that I'm definitely going to look back on all the time as I get older. Isabella Barrett and I got so close through filming, and she's my best friend now. We'd met before but never got the chance to really get to know each other, and as we're filming, we started talking and realized how much we get along and can relate to each other. We seriously talk every day." 

5. She's got ~amazing~ advice.

"If you're trying to do something and it's not working out and you're feeling defeated, don't give up. Keep going and keep trying, because at some point it's going to be possible to find success—it just takes a long time sometimes. When I was younger and a competition dancer, I was never a big winner. My mom always used to say 'don't get defeated, you'll have your moment.' I love that because everyone does have their moment at some point. You have to keep working for it and be passionate—you can't just snap your fingers and get where you need to go." 

Check out Mya on Next Big Thing NYC:

Image Credit: LeRed Photography.

by Katherine Hammer | 2/16/2021