SPRINGFIELD ― At 7, Mia Angelee Rivera is unassuming — until she steps on stage. At school she’s a student, at home she’s a kid, but under the lights, she’s a star.
Mia is heading Wednesdsay to New York Fashion Week, where she will walk in the TW Fashion Runway show Thursday at 3 p.m.
The event will feature designers Juan Colon, Isabella Collection, I Love Mel D, Marisa Santiago Toro and Idol Jose, and will be held at The Blanc, 15 E. 40th St., 11th floor, in New York City.
Before leaving for the show, Mia and her mother, Lian Sierra, 37, sat down with The Republican at their Springfield home.
As they prepared, Sierra reflected on the early modeling work that helped Mia earn big‑city exposure.
Lian Sierra with her 7-year-old daughter, Mia Rivera, in their living room in Springfield. Rivera is heading to New York Fashion Week on Wednesday to model for designers Marisa Santiago and Mel Duran. Feb. 9, 2026. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook
Modeling since age 2, Mia has appeared on two billboard features: one for Super Models Unlimited in Manhattan and another in Puerto Rico.
Mia has picked up a number of pageant titles — People’s Choice in 2020, Miss Facebook in 2024 and Best Hair in 2025. She also keeps a shelf of soccer trophies at home and dotes on her small dog.
She’s been recognized by local officials as well, with citations from Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, Sierra said.
On Instagram, her account — @sassy_mia_11 — has 373 followers.
From the classroom to New York Fashion Week, Springfield 7-year-old Mia Rivera shines on and off stage (Aprell May Munford/ The Republican)Aprell May Munford
Mia said her favorite part of modeling is sparkly dresses, jewelry and the accessories she gets to wear — along with the thrill of being on stage.
“It’s fun,” Mia said.
She also enjoys traveling for shows, especially to Puerto Rico, where she loves visiting beaches afterward.
One lesson she’s learned is the importance of confidence. “If you never try it,” she said, “you won’t get to do it.”
Her dad works as a correctional officer in Connecticut. Her mom is both a nurse and a behavioral clinician who works with autistic children in Holyoke.
Mia said her siblings admire her, each in their own way. She isn’t sure where her brother stands on her modeling, but her little sister eagerly parades around in her dresses and crowns.
When she’s off the runway, Mia still has time to “be a wild spirit,” Sierra said. On rainy days, Mia and her siblings pull on their rain gear and splash in puddles.
“Which I think is what I’m most proud of,” Sierra said. “She’s not just focusing on her soccer or modeling careers. She’s open‑minded like that.”
From the classroom to New York Fashion Week, Springfield 7-year-old Mia Rivera shines on and off stage. (Aprell May Munford/ The Republican)Aprell May Munford
Mia’s schedule can be as grueling as walking in high heels, they said.
She attends second grade at Brightwood Elementary School, where her favorite subject is math. When she travels, she completes schoolwork provided by her teachers online.
At school, teachers are often surprised to learn the quiet, well-behaved student in their class is also a runway model, Sierra said.
On weekends and often in the summer, Mia spends long days in the sun getting muddy and sweaty at soccer games and practices before rushing home to put on a ball gown, crown, sash and heels for photo shoots or competitions with up to a dozen contestants, Sierra said.
She sometimes gets only five or six hours of sleep before a 9 a.m. game or show, but maintains strong grades, Sierra said.
Despite her busy schedule modeling, soccer and violin practice, 7-year-old Mia Rivera is doing well academically. Her mother, Lian Sierra, right, proudly shows her most recent report card showing high marks across the board. Feb. 9, 2026. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook
While Mia hates failing, she handles it well, Sierra said. She’ll be upset for a moment, then say, “OK. Let me practice again.” If she struggles with a fashion spin, she turns to YouTube or calls her cousins and practices until she gets it right.
For now, Mia is taking a break from pageants. Her last title ended in June, when other queens were crowned. These days, she’s busy building her modeling career.
On March 21, Mia returns to Puerto Rico to model — this time for designers Marisa Santiago Toro of Norfolk and Virgina and Juan Colon Moda of Puerto Rico. The fashion show will be held at The Wheel, in Old San Juan.
She also will appear Colon Moda’s Puerto Rico–based magazine Love Model and continue as a recurring model for designers she has worked with.
Sierra said she hopes to collaborate with more local modeling agencies and designers to create opportunities closer to home.
And down the road?
Mia said she hopes to become Miss Universe one day — and maybe a firefighter, like her grandmother, or a nurse like her mom
Lian Sierra shows photos of her 7-year-old daughter Mia Rivera on the catwalk modeling. Rivera is heading to New York Fashion Week on Wednesday to model for designers Marisa Santiago and Mel Duran. (Douglas Hook / The Republican)Douglas Hook