Jaylyn Myles Rivera: Never too shy for the runway

At 11 months old, Brooke Shields was already an advertising model for a brand of soap.

Jaylyn Myles Rivera has been on a box of Play-Doh at 5 years old, quite late by Brooke’s standards, but it is worth noting that she is currently one of the youngest Filipino child models in the country.

Jaylyn from Manchester, New Hampshire, had been approached for a modeling gig when she was only an 8-month-old baby, according to her mother Melissa. It was her big tantalizing eyes and smiling face that one agency fell in love with.

“Unfortunately, she wasn’t fully cooperating, maybe because she was still too young,” said the mom, who works for a defense company BAE Electronics Systems.

The agency communicated again with Melissa when Jaylyn was 5 years old. “Do you think she’s now ready?” they asked. “Hasbro wanted her in the toddler/girls department.”

It’s quite a wait but this time, Jaylyn was more than ready. At 5 years old her agent moved her to the girls section and that was when she started getting modeling projects for Hasbro Toys and Games products. Her first toy project was Play-Doh Kitchen Creations. This was followed by Little Pony Dolls, and Hungry Hungry Hippo.

“She has no more tantrum, but still a little shy,” Melissa noted.

For a minimum of two hours of modeling work, a child is usually compensated anywhere between $250 to $1,500.  

In the intervening years, Melissa has been training Jaylyn the tricks of the trade: how to smile for the cameras, how to walk and not to be too shy.

Shy but smart girl

Jaylyn Myles Rivera is a first grader at Green Acres Elementary School in Manchester, New Hampshire. Her teacher described her as “extremely shy but a smart girl.” She made lots of friends in school, especially after she donated to her class a Play-Doh game with her photo on the box.

She likes reading books; plays the piano with her Dad as her mentor, and sings to the music of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Vanessa Hudgens. She also dances jazz and her favorite sport is tumbling. Her father, Paul John Rivera, is a senior software engineer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

Melissa said her daughter is currently showing a keen interest in fashion modeling. Jaylyn recently earned the title, Miss Worldwide Princess, given by renowned designer, Kirsten Regalado who is of Filipino descent. Regalado is known for her exquisite designs  worn by pageant beauty queens. Her portfolio includes creating the winning national costume for Miss Iceland in the 2019 Miss Queen Beauty Universe Pageant, as well as dressing Miss Universe candidates from various countries such as Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Mauritius, the Philippines, St. Lucia, and Iceland.

Last September, Jaylyn was a runway model for New York Fashion Week walking the ramp for international labels like Meraki and Eye Candy. She also wore the designs of Bitty Bundles of Joy, Aritutus, Makena Lane and Oh Shana. She will return to NYFW again next year.

“I’ve always wanted to have a baby girl. I wanted her to be a model,” Melissa shared her fondest wish.

Her first two children were boys, Jaymier Lyle, now 15, and Jayred Lloyd, 10. Imagine her delight when Jaylyn became her third and youngest child. Jaylyn jokingly calls her brothers her personal bodyguards who lovingly take good care of her.

Jaylyn now walks the ramp like a pro – head up, shoulders back, unsmiling, and walking long strides with confidence.

“She’s no longer nervous,” noted Melissa.

Her pictures have graced the pages of Iconic Magazine and Kids Fashion Magazine for their Open Theme and Christmas editions. In November 2023, she joined the Little Miss Citrus New England contest and won two titles, the Most Beautiful Award and Little Miss Citrus Princess New England.

In December 2023 she walked in the Atlanta Fashion Parade for two designers. In the same month, Jaylyn was crowned Little Red Poinsettia 2023 in New York City.

“This little girl is shy and barely talks to anyone but when it comes to runway and photo shoots, Jaylyn amazes us,” said Melissa.

The girl has stepped out of her shell. What would she like to be when she grows up? A fashion model, replied Jaylyn. Mom couldn’t be happier and prouder!