Working for brands that one fully believes embody their own ideals is indeed a game-changer. For Leilani Kristina, having such opportunities has allowed her to grow more and bloom to be the artist she was always born to be. Today, she is successfully working with brands that forward the things she believes in and has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
Leilani Kristina is an influencer, brand ambassador, model, dancer, singer, and more–the true epitome of an entertainer. After seeing the late Prince perform on an awards show, she was driven to become a professional dancer. Consequently, hearing Mariah Carey effortlessly land high notes motivated her to sing. And so, from the bits and pieces of inspiration she picked up from the world’s greatest icons, Leilani aspired to become a legend of her own: a little bit of everything yet captivatingly good always.
Leilani Kristina is a mixed-race indigenous millennial. She moved a great deal as a military child, which opened her eyes to different cultures and how there’s always beauty to find in people from all walks of life. After seeing many parts of the world, Leilani became aware of how much potential she had to fill the gaps she saw in her travels. Hence, she loved working with brands, shows, and individuals who tirelessly give back to their community.
Leilani Kristina has walked the runways of Melange, various New York-based designers, and the New York Fashion Week. She has also won Fashion Coffee’s COVID-friendly fashion and talent competition in Pride and became a runner-up in the Pose category. Leilani is also currently on the Board of Directors of a law firm in Washington DC, representing sex trafficking survivors and sex workers.
But behind her rather fabulous career, Leilani Kristina has had her fair share of hardships. Despite being successful in her many passions today, it is not to say that her path has not been without flaws. At 14, she had numerous ear and throat surgeries to address major ear infections and multiple scar tissues. At 16, she fought her way against asthma and an auto-immune condition to pursue dancing. At 21, Leilani faced what were some of the most challenging battles of her life, as she experienced being exploited by a stalker and harasser.
In spite of it all, Leilani Kristina remained as passionate as she had been since day 1. Her experiences have made her stronger and pushed her to make an impact on others. Zooming in to today, Leilani is a Survivor Leader, currently hailed as an expert against gender-based violence against women, stalking, harassment, and human rights for indigenous people.
“Being a multi-ethnic person has always been a blessing in being able to fit in many realms, which has been most helpful in my work in human rights as well as being an equally proud survivor of abuses such as exploitation, severe resentful stalking, harassment, etc. It has honestly not only made me strong but has been a whole motivation on how not to treat people and approach the world—to be the direct opposite of all that,” shared Leilani Kristina.
In five years, Leilani Kristina aims to perform more in the arts and the entertainment industry. She aspires to take part in an impactful movement and hopes to pave the way for other culturally-diverse artists like herself to enter the field.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, what color or colors you are, how much you are discounted, what you have been through, what was done to you, or even have against you. If you have faith in God, then you can always flip the narrative of your life,” Leilani Kristina said.To learn more about Leilani Kristina, visit her website.
