Meet Samaria Kay Mims

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samaria Kay Mims. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samaria Kay, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Growing up, I struggled deeply with my confidence and self-esteem. I remember being bullied for my weight and hair, and how much it hurt to feel like I was never enough. It was a pain that stayed with me, making me feel isolated and unworthy. I would look in the mirror and see someone who wasn’t good enough, who didn’t fit society’s mold of beauty or success. My dreams of becoming a model and an actress felt distant, almost impossible, as if they were meant for someone else, not me.

The journey to self-love wasn’t easy. I had to learn to love myself when every voice, even my own, told me I wasn’t lovable. I had to teach myself to embrace my body, even on days when I couldn’t see past my flaws. And I had to learn to show up as my true, authentic self, despite the fear of judgment and rejection. It was a constant struggle between who I was and who I wanted to be. But slowly, I started to find my way.

My healing journey was supported by several transformative steps. I found solace and strength in spirituality, connecting with something greater than myself. This gave me a sense of peace and purpose, a belief that I was meant to be here, as I am, for a reason. I surrounded myself with people who saw the best in me, even when I couldn’t. They lifted me up and reminded me of my worth when I was struggling to see it for myself.

Therapy helped me confront the pain I had buried for so long. It wasn’t easy to revisit those dark places, but it was necessary to heal. I learned to forgive—both myself and those who had hurt me—freeing myself from the weight of resentment and shame. And I made a conscious decision to start taking better care of myself, not just emotionally, but physically too. I chose to undergo weight loss surgery, not as a way to change who I was, but as an act of love for myself, a step toward being healthier and happier.

But perhaps the most powerful change I made was how I spoke to myself. I stopped letting those negative thoughts control me and began replacing them with words of kindness and encouragement. It was a small change, but it had a huge impact. I started to see myself differently—not as someone who was broken, but as someone who was healing, growing, becoming stronger every day.

Each step, no matter how small, brought me closer to the confidence I had always wanted. When I finally walked my first runway, I was terrified, but I also felt something I had never felt before: pride. I wasn’t just walking for myself; I was walking for the little girl who had once believed she wasn’t good enough, for everyone who had ever felt like they didn’t belong. I was walking to show that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.

Today, my goal is to inspire others to follow their dreams and to love themselves, even when it feels impossible. I want to encourage people to embrace every part of themselves, including the parts they might not find beautiful or perfect. It’s those “ugly” and not-so-great parts that hold the most potential for growth and transformation. I want to show people that they can overcome their fears and doubts, that they can pursue their passions, and that they deserve to live a life they love.

There will always be naysayers who try to take you off your path, who tell you that you’re not enough. But as long as you believe in yourself and your purpose, as long as you hold on to that inner light, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. Chase your dreams with everything you have. Love yourself fiercely, even when it’s hard. Embrace your imperfections and trust your journey, because the world needs your light, your voice, and your story.

No matter where you are on your path, remember this: you are worthy, you are capable, and you are enough. As long as you’ve got yourself, you’ve got everything you need to make your dreams come true.

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?

My name is Samaria Kay, and I’m a 35-year-old actress, model, and host based in Nashville, originally from Clarksville, Tennessee.

You can catch me in the intro to DJ Pryor’s comedy special Daddy Issues, now streaming on Tubi and Amazon Prime. I’m also featured in RC Filmss’ mini-series Law 6 and Law 7, available on YouTube. In 2023, I had the opportunity to walk in The Model Experience’s LA Fashion Week Festival. These experiences have only deepened my love for performing and storytelling, but my mission is about more than just being in the spotlight.

I’m also the host of Renaissance Certified, a showcase celebrating the incredible talents of up-and-coming R&B and hip-hop artists in Tennessee. It’s more than a show—it’s a vibrant community celebrating the state’s rich music scene. We just wrapped up our Fall event in September and are already gearing up for our next show in April 2025. Plus, Renaissance Certified doubles as a digital magazine, so we’re always looking for new ways to shine a light on these amazing artists.

Growing up with humble beginnings, I’ve learned firsthand the power of believing in yourself. My goal is to inspire others to embrace their true selves—flaws and all—and know that they deserve to be celebrated. My dreams are big, and I hope to use my platform to create positive change and uplift others. If I can make even one person feel seen and empowered, then I know I’m fulfilling my purpose. Let’s dream big and lift each other up along the way!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that really shaped my journey were resilience, self-confidence, and adaptability.

Resilience was huge for me. This industry—whether it’s modeling, acting, or hosting—comes with its fair share of setbacks. There were times when I heard ‘no’ more often than I’d like, but resilience kept me going. My advice to anyone just starting out would be to treat each setback as a lesson, not a roadblock. It’s tough, but if you focus on what you can learn from the experience and keep moving forward, you’ll be amazed at how much you grow. Plus, having a support system of people who lift you up makes a big difference.

Then there’s self-confidence. It’s something I had to work on over time. Walking into an audition or stepping onto a runway takes a lot of belief in yourself, and I had to build that up gradually. For those early in their journey, I’d recommend putting in the preparation and practice—that’s what really helps boost your confidence. Celebrate the little victories along the way, and remember that you have something special to offer.

Finally, adaptability has been key. This world is ever-changing, and I’ve had to learn to pivot and try new things when opportunities came up. Being open-minded made a lot of difference in my career. For anyone starting out, I’d say embrace change and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you don’t see coming.

All in all, I think it’s about growing while staying true to who you are. If you focus on these qualities—resilience, self-confidence, and adaptability—you’ll be well on your way.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always excited to connect with passionate and creative people. Whether you’re a photographer, designer, event organizer, fellow actor, or content creator, I’d love to collaborate on projects that bring something inspiring or unique to the world. For me, there’s nothing better than working with like-minded folks to create something meaningful or entertaining.

I’m especially drawn to partnerships that align with my mission of creating positive change. If you’re working on an initiative that uplifts people, tells inspiring stories, or encourages others to go after their dreams, let’s talk! I’m all about community engagement and creative showcases that leave a lasting impact.

If you’re reading this and think we could make something amazing together, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can find me on social media or drop me an email. I’d love to hear your ideas and explore how we can collaborate.

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