In this powerful episode, Ida Fanelli sits down with Christella Merveille-Ilunga, a Registered Behavior Technician, educator, mental health advocate, model, and former Miss Grand Rhode Island & Massachusetts 2022 titleholder.

Christella shares her inspiring journey from teaching and behavioral health to modeling and pageantry, revealing the hidden pressures within the beauty and pageant industries. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about pageants, the mental health challenges models face, and how beauty standards are being redefined to celebrate individuality and authenticity.

As the founder of Heiress Culture Cosmetics, Christella also discusses her mission to promote confidence, self-expression, and safe, non-toxic beauty products—especially for people with sensitive s ...