Phaith Montoya, a Positive Influence(r) with a Powerful message

Phaith Montoya has millions of supporters, myself included. Of course, she has a million-dollar smile; and fire fashion sense; and positive message, and original spins on trends – what keeps Phaith at the top of my feed is how real she is. What makes someone real on social media is hard to define, speaking with Phaith off-camera, I can confirm she really is as graceful and warm as she appears online.

Her message of inclusivity and positivity is powerful and rare on social media. Brands like PrettyLittleThings (PLT) are taking notice. Phaith’s most recent edit with PLT highlights her message and is the perfect fit for their #EveryBodyinPLT campaign. More than that, in Phaith’s words, she is excited, “to give all my girls something to stunt with this summer.”

At 26, she runs a dynamic platform centered on fashion, beauty, and mental health, promoting change and inclusivity. With millions of supporters on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, she inspires and encourages her audience. Her supporters view her as a refreshing beacon of light, championing inclusive sizing and mental health awareness.

Currently living in New York, Phaith’s career as an influencer has brought her all around the globe for photoshoots and events, including a recent trip to the Hamptons! We reached out to Phaith for an interview about her life as an influencer, how to stay real on social media, and beauty tips and hacks for a Summer in the Hamptons!

As a full-time content creator, she uses her platform for positive change. As a vocal trailblazer in the often-narrow fashion industry, she advocates for brands to expand their size ranges and provide more in-store representation. Phaith is also open about her mental health, having frank discussions on her platform and bringing these issues to light without stigma. 

If you haven’t already seen Phaith on social media, you will. As the world of fashion and beauty works to include more and more bodies, Phaith has been a trusted, proud ambassador for brands including Dove, Nike, Fenty, Head and Sholders, and more; and she appeared in Miami’s Swim Suit Week in 2022.

Phaith’s story is just getting started, so be sure you keep a look out for her!

What does a typical day in your life look like? 

A typical day in my life starts off with a gym session followed by a few pickleball games for some vitamin D. Afterwards, I immediately shower to get ready and film content. Then my night ends in one of two ways: either a brand event to go to or cuddled up on my couch watching my favorite shows or a movie.

How do you balance your personal life with your professional commitments?

I balance it by including people like my actual friends and family in the content I create. It makes everything more organic and fun for me.

What beauty tips/products do you love in 2024?

Makeup products that double as skincare! Whether that is foundation with SPF, primer with niacinamide, or setting spray with Hyaluronic acid, I think it’s such a great way to take care of your skin while feeling pretty. I’m specifically obsessed with Fenty Skin SPF tinted moisturizer, Haus Labs foundation, Elf Power Grip Primer with niacinamide, Urban Decay All Nighter Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Dewy Setting Spray, and Colour Pop’s So Juicy Lip Liner with ceramides and peptides.

What was Miami’s Swim Week like?

Swim week was probably the most insane experience of my life. I got a dm from Tabria Majors in May asking if I wanted to model for her new swim edit with Cupshe, and she flew me out the very next day. Working with someone I have looked up to for a long was such an out-of-body experience. Then the next month, they asked me to walk the collection in Miami, and I had never done runway before but agreed immediately. I’m so thankful I did; it was so fulfilling for my inner child, and I can’t wait to walk more runways soon.

Any trends or styles that are OUT?

Cold-shoulder tops will always be out to me. It’s something that has plagued the plus size community for too long. I much rather the off the shoulder tops.  It’s much more timeless to me and still super sexy.

How was your latest trip to the Hamptons?

It was too short! Very peaceful and the views were insane. I know my next trip definitely has to be longer.

What message do you hope your supporters take from your platform?

To live life NOW. Not after you look a certain way or reach a certain size. Like absolutely focus on whatever health goals you have for yourself but be kind to your body NOW. Allow your body to see the sun and feel the water. Allow yourself to experience love and adventure NOW. I hear so many stories of women waiting till they are on some other side of a milestone before they allow themselves freedom, and I just don’t want them wasting a second of their beautiful, fragile lives trying to live up to beauty standards that won’t matter when they’re 80 years old looking back.

How did you get so comfortable being on camera?

My mom definitely conditioned me. She has stuck a camera/camcorder in my face since I was a little girl, and I’m so thankful for it because I have so much to look back on. Now it just feels so natural.

When you were younger, did you imagine yourself on the red carpet?

Kind of, but in a daydreaming type of way. It felt like a fairytale, and that’s why I can’t believe this is my life now where I’m able to experience it, especially with my body type. I know my younger self thought you had to be a certain size before you could even touch a red carpet. I’m happy to be proving her wrong in a way.

What advice would you give to yourself 5 years ago?

Keep going, You’re almost there! I’ve always been an optimistic person, even when I had nothing. As long as I had laughter, love, and my friends I always felt rich. So she already knew all this was coming, but I would just tell her to keep going. Put one-foot in front of the other, no matter how hard it looks. I was always crying in my car on my lunch break or in library study rooms, and I just wished I could hold her and let her know it wouldn’t be like this for much longer.

How do you avoid burnout?

Giving myself an allotted time to rot. Rotting can be done in a healthy way as long as there is balance. I put on some trash reality tv, order in some Chinese food, and turn my brain off for a while. It’s so nice and helps me really tap into my creativity when it’s really time to work.

What makes someone “real” on social media?

Their honesty and authenticity. I try to be as real as possible while also setting my own boundaries. Recently, I shared a video about how many times I failed classes in college, which was a really embarrassing thing for me, but it’s REAL. People fail, and no one likes to talk about it, so you’re left to sit alone with it and be consumed by shame, but I don’t want the people who follow me to feel that. I want them to be like, “wow, Phaith failed, but she got up and so can I!” That’s REAL to me.