Meet Angela Miller Kumar

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Miller Kumar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Angela, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

In this profession, it isn’t always fun to be the only one in the room who looks like me- a 57-year-old redhead with green eyes. Entering a modeling gig or influencer soirée that is a sea of twenty somethings is like being a rare vintage wine at a pop-up rosé party: singular, splendid and just a tad out of context. I dance with this uniqueness armed with statistics, wit and a sprinkle of Southern charm.

First, lets talk rarity, redheads with green eyes are practically mythical creatures, making up roughly 0.02% of the global population, essentially a genetic unicorn, or more appropriately, a genetic mermaid, if you will. Now, add the layer of being a 57-year-old model and influencer in a professional world that, bless its heart, worships at the altar of youth. Influencers aged 18-24 dominate 70% of Instagram’s top-tier accounts, and women over 50? We are a fabulous 5% of that sphere, and those like me still working fitness, bikini and lingerie campaigns? We are the outliers’ outliers, a demographic so unique we could fit into a chic boutique elevator!

That feeling of “being the only one in the room who looks like me” stung at first, and there is still the occasional pang of “Do I belong here?”. It’s not just about looking different, but the subtle weight of being perceived as different, a lone flamingo in a flock of sparrows, but here’s the secret sauce to overcoming that feeling: I’ve leaned into my rarity like it’s a superpower. Allow me to share my recipe for turning “only one” into “one and only”:

1. Own the Spotlight with Humor:
When I walk into a room and feel young eyes clocking my “vintage vibes” and fiery locks, I disarm them with a quip and a dash of that Southern Charm, “Hey y’all! I’m the ginger elder statesperson, here to add gravitas and SPF 50!” Humor is a fast ice breaker and signals that I’m in on the joke of my uniqueness.

2. Find Common Ground, Not Competition:
The blessings of youth do not detract from my own, nor do youth’s physical gifts detract from my more seasoned looks, and vice versa. There is room for both (ahem-hello media!) The younger beauties just have better Snapchat skills. I bridge the gap with curiosity and a belief that I can learn from them as well- ask about the latest filters or their contouring techniques, and I’m golden. Instead of fixating on how my age and looks make me different, I connect over shared goals like nailing a campaign or “slaying” an event. Connection trumps comparison every time.

3. Celebrate the Narrative:
Being 57 in a youth obsessed culture isn’t a death knell, its an asset. I’ve got decades of stories and experiences that twenty-somethings just can’t have, from navigating the pre-Instagram modeling world to surviving shoulder pads and hair perms. My age and my hair color are not just traits, they are my brand, a visual shorthand for boldness. I weave these into my influencer persona with hashtags like #Over50AndFabulous and #RedheadsOfIG #AnticsWithAngie and into my trademark phrase: “Not Chasing Youth, Curating Ageless Vitality”. By owning my story, I turn “different” into “distinctive”.

4. Reframe the Room:
The real shift came when I started seeing “the room” not as a monolith of judgement, but as an opportunity to learn as well as teach. After all, those twenty-somethings, if they are fortunate, will be my age one day. Why not use those moments to set the bar high and inspire what that can look like. What I bring is tenacity, authenticity, positivity, resilience, and a killer Highlight Reel of life experience. I’ve learned to alchemize the fear I once had into a source of strength. Standing out is far more thrilling than fitting in, so now, I strut into that room with a chuckle and my knowing, crooked grin, thinking “Lucky me, I’m the rarest vintage in the house”.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

The tea on me. After a four decade hiatus from modeling to raise a family and dive into art and philanthropy, I’m newly empty nesting, and I’m back, redefining what it means to be a fifty-something in the world of modeling and social media influencing. My personal brand is all about Curating Ageless Vitality- I’d like to shake up the aging narrative with charm, wit, and a mission that screams joy, curiosity, vitality and spice.

Picture a much younger, and clueless, me, starting out as math major, studying Number Theory, Matrix Theory and Fortran while simultaneously walking runways and posing for flash bulbs. Unhappy and unfulfilled, I pivoted late in my college career to Art History where I found my soul’s true canvas, I spent years raising children, curating beauty in art galleries and museums, weaving my vintage style into fashion and interior design, and rescuing and revitalizing old homes as well as not-for-profits. Now I’m channeling all of that experience, knowledge and passion into a vibrant new chapter as an over-50 model and influencer, building a brand that is as fiery as my hair and as timeless as my spirit.

I would like to rewrite the tired script about women over fifty, especially as we are represented in the media. We are not the fifty-somethings of yesteryear, relegated to ads for incontinence pads and retirement villages. We are a force- active, inquisitive, wise and vital. We’re running marathons, climbing mountains, rocking bikinis, going to rock concerts, savoring romance and jet setting across the globe. And here’s the kicker, we’ve got more disposable income than our younger counterparts, making us a goldmine for brands in travel, beauty and lifestyle. Women aged 50+ control 27% of U.S. household net worth, yet we are woefully underrepresented in media, often pigeonholed into “geriatric” product campaigns.
My social media presence is a love letter to this vibrant demographic. With 70% of Instagram’s influencers skewing under 34, I’m proudly part of the 5% of over-50 creators carving out space for women like me. Interestingly, 62% of my followers are between the ages of 25-44. My mission statement- “Not Chasing Youth, Curating Ageless Vitality”- is a rallying cry. I’m not here to turn back the clock, I’m here to redefine what NOW looks like. I hope to inspire my followers to embrace their inner fire and to show the media that women my age are a market force- vibrant, stylish and ready to invest in brands and experiences that match our zest. We are not just relevant- we’re essential.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

If you told me just five years ago I’d be doing what I am doing today, I would have thought you were the most absurd fortuneteller with a very cloudy crystal ball! Here are the three most impactful qualities, skills and areas of knowledge I acquired on my journey, paired with practical advice for those starting out on their own dazzling path, no matter their age:

1. Adaptability- The Art of Pivoting with Panache
My ability to pivot- from young model to maths major to designer, from raising a family and philanthropy, and then back to modeling and venturing into the world of social media- has been the backbone of my journey. Adaptability isn’t just about surviving change; its about thriving in it. When I re-entered modeling after nearly four decades, I faced a digital landscape that was completely alien to me. Yet, I tapped into the curiosity of the lifelong student in me and began to learn to navigate this new world. My aesthetic sensibilities help me to curate my content, my experience helps me create a mission-driven brand, and my people skills have helped me achieve a relatable brand with engagement in the top 99% of creators, all while staying relevant in a youth dominated industry. Advice; Treat life like a dance and every change as a chance to learn a new step in life’s choreography. Commit to being a life-long student and set aside 30 min a day (or more) to exploring a new skill- like how to make new Reels with different apps. I just tried CapCut for the first time and loved it. Follow creators in your niche to see what they are doing. Support them, but always be yourself. Lean into curiosity and ask “What can I learn here?” not “What if I fail?” Even if you feel out of your depth, adaptability grows when you see change as opportunity, not chaos.

2. Storytelling-Find Your Voice and Make it Sing
Your story is your Superpower! Ask yourself why you’re pivoting and what drives you. For me it is showing myself first, and then others, that women over 50 are vital, not invisible. Tell your story in bite-sized pieces and connect with your audience by sharing relatable struggles, then your triumphs, and be curious about theirs too. Shift your mindset from imposter syndrome- you’re not “just” anything- you’re a narrative waiting to unfold, and your story is worth telling through your unique lens. Be authentic and your tribe will find you.

3. Resilience- Turn Your Setbacks Into Swagger
Resilience is a muscle you must learn to build and flex. That’s one of the great benefits of age- I’ve had so many challenges and setbacks over the years, but I’ve practiced reframing rejection as feedback. I always try to find at least one thing I’ve learned and to define one action I’ll take. Face discomfort head-on when you feel like ‘the only one in the room’. Whether it’s your age, background or style, own it! Start small: attend an event or pitch a brand where you feel out of place and practice introducing yourself with confidence. See ‘different” as your edge. Your quirks are what make you memorable- flaunt them. Resilience strengthens when you stop apologizing for who you are and start celebrating it.

To those early in their journey, your path will twist and turn, and occasionally throw you into rooms where you feel like the odd one out, but with adaptability, storytelling and resilience, you’ll not only navigate those rooms, you’ll own them.

A personal example:
I was recently invited to join the Board of Directors of the Tampa City Ballet. I have no experience or knowledge of ballet, but I accepted the position confidently and enthusiastically, knowing that my work with not-for-profits, my lifelong of love of and involvement in the Arts, my acquired life skills and now, social media skills, will serve me, the company and the community in meaningful ways.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes! I am always looking for and excited to work with any brands that share my vision of “Curating Ageless Vitality” and who recognize what an essential market force women like me are- brands that are bold enough to try to rewrite the current narrative of what women over fifty look like and what they want out of life, the media and the marketplace.
I’ve worked with Virgin Voyages in the past, and they get it. Of course it’s a company founded by the OG curator of ageless vitality, Sir Richard Branson, so other travel companies who recognize that we have the desire, time and resources to spend on exciting exploration and travel experiences would be a great fit.
I’ve often been complimented on my complexion, and I am always interested in caring for it in the best way possible, so I would love to collaborate with beauty companies who are not so much about “anti-aging” but rather caring for your skin in a way that makes it look its best at any age. I want what I see in the mirror to reflect the vibrancy that I feel- again, “Not Chasing Youth, Curating Ageless Vitality”.
Sports Illustrated Swim has been a leader in the media in this regard, showcasing the beauty and power of amazing women over 50, many of whom are also reinventing themselves. Given the prestige of that publication and the fact that I live in Florida and spend a lot of time in a bikini, I’d of course love to work with them. Victoria’s Secret would also be a dream because I want to see women my age represented for their beauty, vitality, and sex appeal, the way much younger women always have been. We can hold our own and our light shines just as bright, only with an added twinkle that only life experience and acquired wisdom can bring- then, sit back and watch where all that disposable household income that women over fifty control flows. Cheers to that kind of collaboration and curation!
Oh- and if there are any brands looking for a mermaid for an underwater campaign, I’m your gal!

Contact me via hi@proagetalent.com
DM on Instagram
@angela_miller_kumar
Email
angelamillerkumar@gmail.com

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @angela_miller_kumar
• Other: Represented by Pro-Age Talent
  Inquiries: hi@proagetalent.com
  Email: angelamillerkumar@gmail.com

Image Credits

Ricardo Ramirez
William Peaslee