Leia Goldstein is emerging as one of the most compelling young talents in the fashion and entertainment industries. Based in New York and travelling to Los Angeles monthly for high-profile modelling assignments, Goldstein has already cultivated a professional portfolio that rivals those of far older contemporaries.
Her recent feature in Teen Vibes Magazine’s Spring Issue and involvement in its Collective solidified her presence as a rising voice in youth culture. What distinguishes Goldstein in an industry saturated with young creators is her intentional approach to advocacy. She is vocal about mental health awareness, a subject often overlooked in youth-focused spaces, and she is an active supporter of Dancers Against Cancer, aligning her public presence with meaningful philanthropic efforts. This focus on purpose-driven work reflects a maturity beyond her years.
Beyond modelling, Goldstein brings the discipline of a trained athlete to her craft. A versatile dancer and gymnast, she balances the demands of physical training with the creative requirements of content creation and industry engagements. Her ability to maintain professional consistency at such a young age speaks to a level of dedication that brands and audiences alike are taking notice of.
Goldstein’s growing digital footprint also underscores her strategic understanding of modern influence. Through Instagram, she offers an authentic narrative that blends ambition with relatability—positioning her as both an aspirational figure and a grounded young leader.
As she continues to build her career, Leia Goldstein represents a new generation of talent: purpose-driven, media-savvy, and committed to using her platform responsibly. Given her trajectory, she is poised to become not just a standout performer but also a thought leader among her peers. We recently interviewed Leia, giving our readers an exclusive look into her world, her passions, and the big dreams she’s chasing, and here’s what went down.
You’ve already made waves in the modelling and dance worlds at a young age. What first inspired you to step into the entertainment industry?
It honestly happened completely by accident! None of this was something I had planned, but it just evolved. It all started with a dance photoshoot I did with Five Dancewear that turned out to be such a fun experience. A few months later, my mom signed me up for another shoot with Teen Vibes Magazine during New York Fashion Week. We thought it would just be another fun shoot and something new. Next thing I knew, I was flying to LA every month as part of the Teen Vibes Magazine Collective.
Photos supplied by Key Elements PR Services
Travelling between New York and Los Angeles every month for shoots must be exciting! How do you balance school, travel, and your creative pursuits?
I stay really busy, so time management is a huge part of my life. School is super important to me, and I’m in all Honors classes, which can be extra challenging with my schedule. I usually do my homework right after school, but I only have about an hour and a half before I head to the gym, where I train for four hours Monday through Friday. I don’t get home until around 10 p.m., and I usually eat dinner in the car so I can shower and get to bed as soon as possible.
If I ever need more time for school, I’ll go to the gym late or take a night off. My coaches are amazing and always supportive of that. My content creation usually happens on weekends! I keep a running list of what I want to film or create, and I try to get everything done during the day so I can hang out with my friends at night.
Travel weekends can definitely be exhausting, but the energy of being around my friends and the excitement of the events always keep me going. Sometimes I miss school on Fridays for shoots or travel, but if not, I’ll catch a flight right after class. I usually take the red-eye home on Sundays and go straight to school from the airport. Mondays after those trips are rough. I’ll skip the gym that night to catch up on schoolwork and sleep, but since it’s only once a month, it’s totally manageable.
Being featured in Teen Vibes Magazine and joining their Collective are such achievements. How has that experience shaped your confidence and your voice as a young creator?
Being part of Teen Vibes Magazine and their Collective has been such an amazing experience. I’ve always tried to stay confident and true to myself, but being surrounded by so many talented and supportive creators has made me even more inspired to grow. It’s pushed me to think bigger with my ideas and use my platform to inspire others.
You’re passionate about mental health and supporting Vermont Adaptive. What drives you to use your platform to raise awareness for these causes?
Vermont Adaptive means a lot to me because it makes sports accessible to people of all abilities, regardless of their circumstances. It’s something my family has been connected to for a few years. For the last few summers, my dad has run the Vermont 100, a 100-mile race that raises money for Vermont Adaptive so more people have access to sports that might otherwise be out of reach. My mom and I crewed for him for almost 30 hours straight, which means no sleep, a lot of snacks, laughter, exhaustion, and unforgettable memories.
This next year is extra special because I finally get to pace my dad from the last crew station to the finish line. I’ve been asking to do it forever, and they finally said yes! I think it’s going to be one of the coolest experiences ever. Supporting Vermont Adaptive and mental health awareness matters to me because both are about giving people the chance to feel strong, included, and supported. I hope people can feel that through my posts and what I share.
Photos supplied by Key Elements PR Services
As both a dancer and a gymnast, how do these disciplines influence your modelling work and overall approach to performing?
Being a gymnast and dancer has had a huge impact on how I model and do things, really. Both have made me super aware of body control and movement, which helps a lot in front of the camera. Plus, being strong and flexible means I can hold creative poses for a while, even if my legs are shaking, and the photographer’s still getting the shot!
Years of gymnastics training have also taught me how to take direction really well. In gymnastics, you’re constantly making small corrections based on feedback from your coaches, so when someone gives me feedback, suggestions, or corrections, it feels natural to adjust right away. It’s definitely helped me stay focused, coachable, and confident on set.
The fashion industry can be fast-paced and demanding — what keeps you grounded and motivated during challenging times?
I haven’t really had challenging times in the fashion industry yet, but I think what keeps me grounded overall is balance. I do so many other things outside of modeling! I have school, gymnastics, and dance, which take up a lot of time, and of course, spending time with my friends and family is always something I look forward to.
You bring a mix of sophistication and youthful energy to your work. How do you stay authentic and true to yourself in such a competitive industry?
I love this question because I see so many people struggle with it, both in this industry and outside of it. Something my mom told me when I was younger has always stuck with me. She said, “Your only competition is yourself.” She was talking about gymnastics at the time, but it really applies to everything.
No matter what you’re working on or what your goals are, the goal is to be a little better each day, each week, and each year. Progress takes time, but as long as you keep pushing forward and focusing on your own growth, you’ll get there.
Photos supplied by Key Elements PR Services
Looking ahead, what are your biggest dreams or goals — both in your career and personally — for the next few years?
I have so many dreams and goals for the next few years! Career-wise, I want to keep growing as a creator and model and explore acting. I’d love to meet and collaborate with even more creators. It’s always so fun bringing different ideas and styles together to make something fun.
I also hope to partner with more brands. I recently started a “Get Ready With Me” story time series where I talk about school, friendships, and life, and it would be amazing to team up with a cosmetics or skincare brand that I genuinely love.
Personally, I want to keep my straight-A streak going. This year has been more challenging since I’m in all honors classes and have less free time, but I’m determined! I also just returned to competitive gymnastics after a two-year break to focus on dance. That’s a long time away in the gymnastics world, so I’ve had to rebuild a lot, especially on bars and vault. My goal is to make a strong comeback this season and reach the level I was training at before my break.
Outside of that, I’d love to do more traveling and exploring this year! Hopefully, Europe over spring break or early summer! And I’ve met some amazing creators on Instagram, so it would be really cool to meet some of them in real life, finally. You guys know who you are!
