Rising Stars: Meet Maria Montgomery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Montgomery. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Maria is a former Miss Kentucky USA. This leads her to place in the top 5 at Miss USA in Las Vegas, Nevada. After that event, Maria started her professional modeling career. She signed with world-renowned agencies such as FORD Models, Wilhelmina Models, Select Models, and in Nashville – The Block Agency!

After 6 years of living between Chicago and Miami, Maria decided to come back to the south and travel from here for shoots. She has modeled in campaigns for several brands such as Oil of Olay, Pantene, Covergirl, Jockey, Kohls, JCP, Curel, Martini and Rossi, and more.

She has also been spotted on TV in several commercials, as a “trophy model” at the CMAs, and also as the starring role in music videos for artists such as Tim McGraw (song: Truck Yeah), Josh Groban (Hidden Away), and recently for Matt Stell’s music video That Ain’t Me No More.

In the sports world – Maria has worked as the on-court host for University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball games and as the social media host for SEC Network’s online content with Tim Tebow, Laura Rutledge, Marcus Spears, and more.

Although Maria’s professional modeling and TV career are still her main sources of income, she has also started helping girls who are aspiring to start a modeling career or who are competing in pageantry improve their skills in a personal interview, on-stage presence, styling, public speaking, runway walking, photo posing, and more.

Lastly, Maria also shares fashion, beauty, and styling tips on her social media while taking you along her circus of a life!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had to raise all the funds to compete in Miss Kentucky USA myself. My family was overly supportive but the pageant was actually the same week as my sister’s wedding and Christmas!

But I don’t let anything stop me. I was the youngest contestant in Miss USA and the only teenager. It was my first flight by myself… I was a baby!!!! But I knew with hard work and determination I could get there. At that time, I was the youngest to be in the top 5!

Also, I lost my dad recently to pancreatic cancer unexpectedly. He was my rock and best friend. He was what one of my onstage questions was about at Miss USA! I’ll never forget his smile as I spoke about him on stage. He was the life of the party and so he is so missed.

I’m dedicated to helping fight the awful disease of pancreatic cancer now to help others not live through the same pain we had to.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Coaching aspiring models, aspiring TV hosts, and pageant contestants.

I coach mostly for Miss TN Volunteer, Miss TN Teen Volunteer, Miss Kentucky USA, Miss Kentucky Teen USA, Miss Tennessee USA, Miss Tennessee Teen USA, Miss Indiana USA, and Miss Indiana Teen USA, but I’ve coached for girls all over the country.

It is the most meaningful to me though when the girls come to me for life advice and it turns more into a mentorship! These are strong, independent, community-improving young ladies I’m honored to get to guide!

I also am a 14-year professional model and a 10-year professional independent TV host for various lifestyle shows, and commercials, and previously with SEC Network’s social media hosting

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I LOVE how each and every night there is something to do in Nashville! The energy is high when you want it to be, but also can be chill when needed as well!

After living and working for years in cities like Chicago and NYC, I really appreciate the mix of southern hospitality plus city life that Nashville provides. There is no place like it!

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.mariamontgomery.com
• Instagram: @Mariamontgomery
• TikTok: @MariaMontgomery19

Image Credits
Kristy Belcher, Heather Houston, Heidi Elnora, and Taylor Yaste