Today we’d like to introduce you to Asia Montgomery.
Hi Asia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Let’s go back to my childhood because it has so much to do with who and where I am today. I grew up in the small town of Columbia, Mississippi. The kind of place where Walmart runs were extended visits because we were bound to run into at least five people we knew.
I’m also a preacher’s kid and the baby of 6 kids. Having such a big family is one of the greatest gifts my parents could have given me because it made my childhood experiences so memorable and something I will never forget. I mean, there was literally never a dull moment. My childhood was full of countless home cooked meals, climbing trees, riding four wheelers, itchy stockings, learning scriptures, family dinners with endless stories, surprise trips to JCPenney, making mud pies, eating homemade biscuits, playing with cousins, playing sports, picking blackberries in the summer and pecans in the fall, and a whole lot of church. I mean, a lot.
My mom held down the house and my siblings, while my dad worked hard to provide for our family, all while they both built a church from the ground up.
Now that I look back, I’ve been a storyteller from a very young age and it’s something that’s always made me feel alive. One of my earliest memories is sitting on the stairs playing with these little glass angels. I gave each one a name, and created different scenes and stories with them. The majority of the time I acted as if we were in the classroom, and I was the teacher. I would literally play with them for hours. That imagination sparked my initial dream of becoming a teacher. I was so drawn to my teachers and interested in them at a young age to the point where I would find their numbers in the phone book, call them on the weekends using the house phone, they would actually pick up, and we would just chat. And looking back, it never seemed as though they didn’t want to talk. I still can’t believe I did that. LOL.
I also remember falling in love with beauty and makeup. My earliest memory of this is seeing my mom refresh her lipstick before we went into Winn Dixie. I remember leaning up to her seat from the back and asking if I could have some, and when she said yes, you couldn’t tell me anything. I felt so cute and grown.
Playing dress-up at my grandmother’s and watching my older sisters wear their bold blue eyeshadow, eyeliner, and shiny gloss only added fuel to the fire. It got me so excited for when it would finally be my turn.
As I was approaching my teens, I realized I wanted to be in front of the camera in some form or fashion. I can remember taking down some braids and feeling so cute with my big hair that I asked my sister to come take some photos of me. Thinking back, I truly felt like that girl. There was not a lick of shame or fear, just true confidence. Sometimes I think back to my younger self and wish I had that level of confidence again. From that moment, the seed to become a model was planted.
Throughout school I was always involved in something. All of my siblings were. Whether it was sports, cheerleading, leadership roles, school plays, or the band, there was never really a moment where we were still. I honestly still don’t know how my parents did it with all 6 of us being so heavily involved. Around middle school and high school is when Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat entered the scene. Instagram was my go-to for my “model” photos with the extremely heavy edits, but Snapchat was where my personality really shined. That’s when I started to build my community and become known for being quite entertaining.
I went to college at The University of Southern Mississippi which was only 30 minutes from home. I started out majoring in Broadcast Journalism but after exploring other majors, I ended up graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Communication Studies. My leadership abilities didn’t just stop in high school, it carried me through my college years as well. I was a Luckyday Scholar, served twice as President of the Mu Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and held several leadership roles in SGA. I was honored to be recognized by my peers as Homecoming Queen in both high school and college, which only affirmed my ability to connect with those around me and make people feel seen.
Around 2018, I started to get serious about learning how to do my makeup. My friend Tishana, aka Tweet, was more skilled than I was, so she helped me out by walking me through the steps. But it wasn’t until 2020 when I started really educating myself on a daily basis. After being sent home during my senior year of college due to COVID, I started immersing myself in beauty tutorials. I spent hours watching YouTube and would literally do my makeup for no reason. My two favorite beauty influencers during that time were Teaira Walker and Jackie Aina.
I eventually leaned into beauty, lifestyle, and storytelling content on Tik Tok and this is when everything shifted. People began connecting with my vulnerability, my humor, and the way I told stories. That’s when I realized that storytelling and showing up on camera was something that I was naturally gifted in and could build a career around.
With all the extra time I had, I also learned how to take my own Instagram pictures, worked with multiple brands and even landed my first paid collaboration in 2021.
Since then, I’ve grown a following of over 60K combined on social media as a beauty and lifestyle creator, worked as a marketing manager for a social media agency, stepped into freelance modeling (including being featured on a billboard and in a magazine), started ABPOV, my wedding and events content business, and became a TV personality at my local news station, where I host Shop the Pine Belt, a segment that highlights local businesses. I’m also an event host/MC, and I’ve had the opportunity to bring energy to stages just like I do on screen. On top of that, I founded ABTV, my own content “network” where I blend creativity and storytelling to entertain and inspire others to go after their dreams. I’m currently working on producing the third episode for “Makeup and Memories” – a show that allows me to tell entertaining stories while simultaneously doing my makeup. I’ve gotten a great response so far and cannot wait to add more shows to my lineup. It’s something that I hope one day will land me an opportunity to share my stories along with others on a larger TV platform.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is anybody’s journey smooth? If so, point me in their direction! This journey has been far from smooth. While I’ve had some external roadblocks, my mental roadblocks have been a huge factor in my journey. For the last 4 years, I’ve dealt with self doubt and chronic overthinking to the point where it’s kept me stagnant. And while that may seem like such an easy thing to overcome to some, my mind is something I battle with every single day. Despite people telling me I inspire them, that they love my content, or that I should post more, I still find myself stuck in my head about the smallest things. I could have all the answers – what to post, when to post, how to edit – and STILL spiral into analysis paralysis.
I’m also actively working on my fear of being “too much,” which I now realize stems from things I experienced back in grade school. So sometimes I shrink myself, dim my light, and play small just to feel safe and like I am not stepping on anyone’s toes.
And don’t get me started on time management and procrastination. I’m realizing now that procrastination has become a form of protection. If I don’t put it out there, I can’t be judged. And now, seeing first hand how ruthless people can be online, the idea of being perceived and criticized has become a real fear of mine. And it turned into me being okay with not putting myself out there consistently. I’m an emotional, sensitive girl, and while we were taught “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me…” THEY LIED. Because words definitely hurt.
And for the time management aspect, I currently work a 9-5, so finding time to juggle ideating, filming, editing and posting can be difficult. But I’m learning to utilize my weekends as content days and prioritize the free time that may show up throughout the week.
Deep down, I know I’m built for more. And honestly, I’m tired of neglecting the potential God put inside of me, so the only thing to do is to take it one day at a time, try my best, and work through the challenges as they come.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I wear a few different hats, and I genuinely love them all. I’m a TV host, lifestyle content creator, model, and the founder of ABTV which is a storytelling platform where I blend beauty, lifestyle, and real stories. I’m also the creator of ABPOV, my wedding and events content business where I capture special moments from a personal, behind-the-scenes perspective.
I’m known for my relatability and transparency, and I love sharing stories that don’t just entertain but stick with people long after they scroll. I’ve had people tell me they feel seen and uplifted after watching my content, and honestly, that means more to me than any title. That’s what I’m most proud of.
I’m also passionate about helping people feel more confident in front of the camera. I’ve realized that so many people either freeze up or aren’t sure what to do when the camera comes out, which is why I’m working on a series that will teach my audience how to show up confidently no matter the occasion.
Right now, I’m focused on getting signed to an agency to pursue more commercial work, continuing my ABTV series, launching my photo series, and creating content that provides value, that people can feel, relate to, and carry with them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck? Not so much but God’s favor, grace and love 100%. I think it’s so important to lean into the gifts He’s placed inside of me and actually put in the work. The result of doing that may look like luck to some, but I know deep down inside that it comes straight from Him.
I’ve also seen the other side of it, what happens when I don’t lean into my gifts, don’t put in the work, or delay obedience. And let me tell you, that always leads to stagnation. It’s like I’m stuck, and boy do I hate that feeling. But it’s taught me that obedience isn’t just about pleasing God, it’s about unlocking the path He already paved for me.
One thing I believe is that the gifts He’s given each of us are connected to our purpose in some shape or form. So if we just walk in it, put in the work and remain obedient, our gifts will open up doors for us that we would have never imagined, and we will be able to reach people we never thought were possible. I’ve seen it happen in my own life several times.
And don’t get me wrong, putting in the work consistently, being obedient, and trusting God’s plan for my life has not been easy. It’s actually really hard at times. But it’s comforting knowing that He will be by my side every step of the way. His plans for me go beyond my wildest dreams, and He already knows the end, so why not trust Him?
If people ever look at my journey and call it “luck,” I’m okay with that. But I know the truth: it’s God’s favor, His grace, and His timing. That’s not luck, it’s alignment.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Will Robinson
Chauncey Mangum
Chelsey Jones
Tyron Dawson
