In life, many wish for strength, grace, or beauty amongst other things. We all envision what the limelight would be like, but most are not willing to do the work that greatness requires. In the years that I have known her @ayannatiara has shown me that you can be everything all at once. Strong and graceful, beautiful and edgy. And when your work ethic matches the care that you have for yourself, your light within will shine so bright that the world will have no choice but to see you for the star that you are.
https://www.instagram.com/ayannatiara?igsh=MXMyOTFtN3g4OHQxdA==
Ayanna is a firm believer in how you carry yourself changes how the world views you. I’ve never known her to have a bad outfit day lol. I asked for some tips that she could give the reader when it comes to developing your own style and courage to be yourself.
“Your fashion sense is insane. What would you suggest to someone that wants to show up confidently in the world?”
She replied, “I just really believe in taking care of myself. Purging things that hold unnecessary weight is the best thing you can do for your life, and I feel like I always want to be my best representative. Whether it be clothes or anything else, if it no longer serves you just let it go. Getting out of the bed and getting dressed up puts you in the right path for the day and when you look good, you feel good.”
Not letting those bad days defeat you echoes through what she tells me often. “It’s easy to get discouraged and want to wallow in whatever situation you’re facing, but you have to keep showing up and you have to keep going.” She says.
“A lot of people don’t know that you’re a very insightful person. What is something you would say that would help someone to heal from what they are experiencing?”
She reflects upon the question then replies.
“Therapy and doing the work at home. You have to be grateful that you can get up every day and your body is showing up for you. If you’re grateful for what you have it changes your perspective. People shy away from therapy because they think it makes you crazy, but I look at my therapist as my life coach.”
Besides being a resident fashionista and giving great advice, Ayanna is also featured in @magiccitydoc Magic City: An American Fantasy. When I asked what she thought about working at Magic city and being able to tell the story of an Atlanta staple, she replied. “Magic City is the best club that I’ve worked at. It has been a staple in my growth and there’s no turning back now.”
https://www.instagram.com/magiccitydoc?igsh=MWdsYm50d2h4dHYzOQ==
I joke with her about how some people wouldn’t be able to deal with being a dancer or being featured on something as big as @starz “What do you think about it?”
“A lot of people are inspired by our style and how we carry ourselves and I’ve learned to embrace it. Magic city has helped me to grow into who I am. Even the hard parts of it have helped me.” She continues to say. “Being a dancer isn’t easy. It’s the beauty industry and it takes confidence, and sometimes the club strips you of that. The club humbles a lot of people, but through strength you bloom.”
I ask if she feels that a 9 to 5 job would’ve made the same Ayanna that I know today.
“I was always driven, but I just knew those jobs weren’t for me. I did my best, but no job could take me to where I want to be. Working as a dancer, you’re working for yourself and there’s room for expansion. In order for me to be my most creative self and bask in my own energy, I needed to dance. But there’s no need to feel embarrassed about what you have to do to better yourself. It’s your choice.”
Since we first met, Ayanna has blossomed in so many ways, including opening up her own peer space. Being proud of her is an understatement. When I asked what are a few more things that she can tell someone in need of encouragement, she tells me. “Always be yourself. Do what makes you happy. Don’t let anyone’s opinion stop you, just go for it. Everyone is thinking about themselves, so you have to be the one thinking about you.”
Published In May 2025
Written By: Jahnea Lauren
https://www.instagram.com/ayannatiara?igsh=MXMyOTFtN3g4OHQxdA==
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