Leia Goldstein

You’re so young and already working as a model, dancer, and content creator. How did your journey in these industries first begin?

Everyone is always surprised when I tell them none of this was planned.  If you had told me a year ago that I’d be modeling, I never would have believed you! It all began when my mom signed me up for a photoshoot with my favorite dancewear brand. I had never done anything like it before, so I had no idea what to expect.  I ended up loving it, and the pictures came out amazing.

Not long after, my mom spotted an Instagram post about a Teen Vibes Magazine photoshoot during New York Fashion Week. She signed me up, and before I knew it, I was invited to join the Collective.  Now, I travel to Los Angeles at least once a month to shoot with TVM and create content, which still feels surreal!

My journey into content creation actually started with my dance coach at the time, who encouraged me to share my dance videos on Instagram.  Creating content was fun, the followers came fast, and before I knew it, I was receiving PR packages and working with brands.

You split your time between New York and Los Angeles for modeling shoots. How do you balance travel, work, and everyday life at your age?

Honestly, it’s a lot sometimes, but I’ve learned how to balance it! School and friends are super important to me, so I always make sure to give them my full attention. When I’m in class, I’m focused on school. When I’m with my friends, I’m all in. And when I’m in L.A. for a shoot, I give that my full energy. We usually take red-eye flights back on Sunday nights so I can go straight to school Monday morning. Yes, it’s exhausting, but I make it work! If I need to, I’ll skip gymnastics or dance on Mondays to catch up on rest or schoolwork. It’s all about staying present and finding that balance.

Being featured in Teen Vibes Magazine and joining their Collective is a big milestone. What has that experience meant to you?

Being featured in Teen Vibes Magazine and joining their Collective has been such an amazing experience! From every photoshoot and trip to L.A., they’ve honestly become like my second family. Everyone is so encouraging and uplifting, and I’m beyond grateful for everything they’ve done for me.

What people don’t always see is what goes on behind the scenes! We’re always there for each other, cheering each other on and offering support whenever it’s needed. I’ve learned so much from my friends in the Collective, and being part of something this special is truly an honor.

How do you use your platform to inspire others your age and beyond?

One of the things I love most about my platform is getting the chance to be a positive role model for people my age. I want to show everyone that with hard work, kindness, and staying true to yourself, you really can do anything!

One of my absolute favorite things is when younger kids reach out to me for advice. It seriously makes my whole day! It’s the coolest feeling to know that just by being myself, I can inspire someone else. When I post content, I try to keep it real by sharing genuine moments and little pieces of advice from my own experiences, because I remember how much that helped me when I looked up to older influencers. It’s still so surreal to think that I get to be that person for someone else now, and honestly, that’s the best part of it all!

You’re passionate about mental health advocacy. Why is this cause so important to you personally?

Mental health is something I care about so deeply because I’ve seen how many young people are struggling and in some really heartbreaking cases, some have even lost their lives. Everyone deserves to live a happy life and sometimes even the smallest act of kindness can make a huge difference.

The truth is, you never really know what someone is going through. That’s why I think it’s so important to always choose kindness. If someone’s having a tough day, you could be the reason they smile, and that matters. I always remind my friends and myself to check in on the people around us, because sometimes the ones who seem happiest on the outside are the ones hurting the most inside. This is your reminder to spread kindness, not hate because you never know how much it could help someone.

You also support Vermont Adaptive. What drew you to that organization and its mission?

Vermont Adaptive is such an amazing organization because it makes sports accessible and inclusive for people of all abilities, no matter their ability to pay. But it’s also really special to me personally. Every year, my dad runs a 100-mile race called the Vermont 100, which raises money for Vermont Adaptive so they can help even more people participate in sports that might otherwise be out of reach.

My mom and I crew for my dad every year for up to 30 hours straight, which means zero sleep, but so many unforgettable memories! And this next year is extra special because I finally get to pace my dad from the last crew station all the way to the finish line. I’ve been begging my parents to let me run that last stretch with him, and they finally said yes! I think it’s going to be the coolest thing ever to cross the finish line together, and honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to wait another 11 months!

In addition to modeling and dancing, you’re a skilled gymnast. How has your athletic background influenced your work in front of the camera?

Being a gymnast and dancer has definitely helped me so much with modeling. It’s made me super aware of how I move and how I control my body, which is a huge advantage in front of the camera. Plus, being flexible and strong, means I can pull off more creative poses and hold them, even when my quads are burning while the photographer is getting the perfect shot!

Years of gymnastics training has taught me to take feedback really well. In gymnastics, you’re constantly making adjustments based on your coach’s input, so now it just feels natural to me. When a photographer or anyone, gives me direction, I can quickly apply it and that always makes the shoot run smoother and the results even better!

The fashion and entertainment worlds can be intense. How do you stay grounded and keep your work fun?

Even though I’m young, I think staying grounded is super important. I try to keep a really good balance between my work, my social life, and gymnastics, because all three are such a big part of who I am. When I’m at gymnastics, I’m focused on gymnastics and not worrying about modeling or social media. When I’m with my friends, I’m just a normal kid hanging out.

I also love that my friends and family treat me exactly the same as they always have. They don’t make me feel like I’m “more” or “less” than anyone else, and I think that’s really important. It keeps everything in perspective. Of course, when I’m in L.A. with Teen Vibes Magazine, I flip the switch, get super focused, and lock in on my modeling and content creating. The balance is what keeps it fun and exciting for me.

What has been your favorite project or shoot so far, and what made it so memorable?

While there have been many fun and memorable moments in my career so far, my favorite is definitely the Twilight themed photoshoot with Teen Vibes Magazine! Twilight has always been my absolute favorite movie series and when I found out that was our theme, I have never been happier! My mom and I have watched Twilight every couple of months since I was 9 years old! Is it bad that sometimes I want Bella to end up with Jacob? Do not get me wrong, Edward and Bella were always meant to be, but Jacob was ALWAYS there for Bella to comfort her and make her feel whole again when Edward left her! Aside from that, every time I watch Twilight, I am left with more and more core memories that I will never forget!

I’ve had so many fun and memorable moments in my career so far, but my favorite has to be the Twilight-themed photoshoot with Teen Vibes Magazine! Twilight has been my absolute favorite movie series for years, so when I found out that was our theme, I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. My mom and I have been watching Twilight together every couple of months since I was younger!

Okay, confession time: sometimes I secretly wish Bella ended up with Jacob. Don’t get me wrong, Edward and Bella were totally meant to be, but Jacob was always there for her, comforting her and helping her feel whole again when Edward left. That story just gets me every time!

What made that shoot so special is that it felt like such a full circle moment for me. It’s something I’ll never forget, and now every time I watch Twilight, it brings back even more core memories that make me smile.

Looking ahead, what are some of your biggest dreams for the next few years in modeling, dance, or beyond?

At the moment, I am just looking to follow the path. All of these wonderful opportunities have been put in my lap and I cannot wait to see what else is coming! I look forward to growing my socials and becoming a better model, actor, gymnast, and dancer. I am very proud of myself for how far I have come in a little over a year! It has not been easy but I plan on continuing to work hard and stay determined! I am also looking forward to gaining more partnerships with some of my favorite brands, which is super exciting. I am loving everything that I do and cannot wait to continue!

Right now, I’m really just focused on following the path and seeing where all of these amazing opportunities take me. So much has happened in less than a year, and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. It definitely hasn’t all been easy, but it’s been so worth it!

I’m excited to keep growing my socials and to keep getting better and growing as a model, actor, gymnast, and dancer. I’d also love to land more partnerships with some of my favorite brands, which is super exciting to think about. The best part is that I genuinely love everything I’m doing and I can’t wait to see what’s next!