Meet Feba Alex

We had the good fortune of connecting with Feba Alex and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Feba, why did you pursue a creative career?
In many ways, it always felt like a distant dream—something intangible, maybe even out of reach. But the more I lean into who I truly am, the more I realize it may have been less about chance and more about a serendipitous collision of passion, opportunity, and the calling.

I earned my B.S. degree and spent a few years working in the life sciences, MedTech, and biotech industries. On paper, it all made sense—but in my soul, something felt off. I was out of alignment. Since childhood, I was always the creative one—the writer, the artist, the dreamer. My school projects were always over the top—elaborate and full of creativity. My parents spent a small fortune on daily runs to Michael’s just to keep up with my ideas. Maybe it was that deep-rooted longing to create that ultimately led me to where I am today.

Now, I’m a writer. A marketing manager and co-owner of Yalla.Studio. A creative problem-solver. I bring stories to life with emotion and vibrant colors. I’m a model, an actress in training, and—perhaps most importantly—I’ve finally come to believe in myself as an artist. Getting here wasn’t easy. It was a long, winding journey of self-discovery. But I believe I have only scratched the surface.

One dream I held close to my heart ever since I was young was to compete in a pageant—not for the glamor or the crowns, but because I saw women who looked like me standing on that stage, using their voices, making change. It was a platform unlike any other—rare, powerful, transformative. I felt like that stage was my ticket into the world of entertainment as an artist and creative. I carried that dream quietly until I was 25, when I finally felt the calling and found the courage to be on stage in front of hundreds of people. Because for those of you who know me, know that I am quiet, shy, and don’t like to be seen. I love what I do—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the most difficult and terrifying thing for me. So I ask myself… do I create the art or has the art been creating me?

I competed in Miss California USA 2021 and was honored to win the Photogenic Award and place as a semifinalist. That night, on that stage, I didn’t just compete—I found a deeper understanding of who I am and what I’m capable of.

Since then, I’ve signed with modeling agencies and worked with incredible brands like NYX Cosmetics, CANVA, AT&T, Snapchat, Biolage, and more. I’m currently studying acting at Playhouse West and continuing to pursue a career in film.

But even now, I wouldn’t say I’ve “made it.” This industry demands everything—patience, grit, heart, and a relentless belief in something higher. It’s not for the faint of heart. But despite the challenges, I know I’ve finally found what I love. I’ve found what I was meant to do, so I push forward with the hope of being able to create more art in any way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is emotional. Modeling, for me, is more than posing—it’s storytelling. I create work that blends beauty, color, and feelings. What I share with the world is my work, my art—it is not always a reflection of who I am off-camera. People often confuse the two. My work is vibrant and expressive, but in real life, I’m quite simple. I mostly wear black. I am quiet.

But I love what I do. I use what I can to tell stories that resonate. People would always tell me that I should be a model, but ironically, I never liked being in front of the camera. However, after winning the Photogenic Award, I felt it was time to get this career going. That moment propelled me into modeling with full force. Even now, I still get shy in front of the lens—but I’ve grown to deeply respect the industry. For me, I see it as a job rooted in creativity, not ego.

Breaking into this world is hard—really hard—but I keep going because creativity is my oxygen. So even if looks change, I will continue being the evolving artist. My love for this world of fashion and entertainment eventually led me to film. I started with background roles in a feature film and vertical shorts, and instantly felt connected to the on-set environment, which felt like home. It was everything I didn’t know I was longing for. Hungry to grow, I enrolled at Playhouse West film school to study the Meisner technique—and I can honestly say, it’s been one of the best decisions of my life.

Acting has given me clarity. I know, without a doubt, that I will be an actress. I study it, practice it, live it. If acting were my only love, I’d be more than happy. It’s become an obsession: to be on stage, to move an audience, to bring emotion to life. I look forward to the day when preparation meets opportunity—and I no longer have to be a struggling artist.

I know I started a little late—competing in Miss CA at 25 and now in film school at 29. I still get nervous wondering when my time will come. But I believe everything unfolded as it was meant to. I didn’t have the confidence back then that I have now.

Growing up, I was the only Indian girl in school. I was bullied a lot and learned to go quiet while the world made noise around me. My identity and self-worth were fractured for a long time. Things got better as I grew older. I graduated with a B.S. degree and worked in MedTech and Biotech. Those years taught me discipline, resilience, and gave me the confidence to finally believe in myself.

I’ve tried a lot—nursing, coding, hotel management, food science, life science, etc. But nothing ever felt quite right. It was always that feeling inside me, and maybe guidance from above telling me to move on. I wasn’t fulfilled. So, no—it wasn’t easy. But it was a journey of good and bad mistakes. And I’ve learned to trust myself, take action, take risks, and follow my heart.

Today, I’m working for a marketing company—Yalla.Studio. It’s the kind of creative work I’ve always wanted to do. We’re artists doing what we love.

Looking ahead, I want to continue marketing, building brands, modeling, acting in films, and eventually create movies of my own. I don’t know exactly where this path will take me—but I know I’m finally on it.

I started from the bottom. And I want people to know: if you believe in yourself, do the work, and ask the universe for what you want—it will conspire in your favor. So ask.

When people see me, I want them to feel loved. That’s it. I do this for them—and for the artist in me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I grew up in Los Angeles, and yet, every single day still feels like a new adventure. There’s so much about this city that remains undiscovered, even after all these years. A week—let alone 25 years—isn’t nearly enough to take it all in.

My roots are in Burbank, where my high school memories live. Every Friday, my friends and I would toss our backpacks at my house and race to Downtown Burbank. That was OUR town. We’d catch movies at the local theater, strike up conversations with strangers, run through the streets like we owned them, devour anything from pretzels to frozen yogurt, and do all the impulsive, joy-filled things that teenagers do when they feel a little bit invincible. If I were to plan an LA itinerary today, revisiting Burbank would absolutely be the starting point.

Of course, no visit to LA feels complete without strolling along the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sunset Boulevard. As we grew older—late high school into college—our curiosity pulled us further out. Hollywood became our new playground. It was chaotic and colorful, full of eccentric characters and unexpected encounters. We wandered aimlessly, laughed loudly, and soaked up every bit of that wild, unfiltered freedom. Those were golden days, but as we all do, I eventually grew out of that chapter.

These days, life feels more grounded. I spend most of my time working from home, heading out occasionally to work from cozy local cafes or the office, and dedicating time to my acting classes. The pace has shifted, but the city still feeds my creativity.

Some of my favorite places to escape to are the Venice Canals, Griffith Observatory, Downtown LA, Universal CityWalk, Descanso Gardens, and the Malibu Sand Hill. Each spot holds its own kind of magic. We also have ocean, mountain, and city views—all at once—making it the best place for hikes and adventures. And when it comes to food, LA is truly infinite. I know I’ve only scratched the surface, but staples like a classic In-N-Out burger, a meal at Coral Tree Café, or a bite of something eclectic from Grand Central Market never disappoint.

Dessert, though—that’s where I shine. Some of my go-to sweet spots include B Sweet for comforting indulgence, Lady M for their melting crepe cakes, and if I’m in the mood for a little luxury, Ladurée in Beverly Hills always feels like a treat that belongs in a fairytale.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people to thank along this journey—but it begins with my family, who have given me everything, especially when I had nothing. Everything I do is for them. And for the One above and all around us, God, guiding us all towards our purpose.

To my film school, my sanctuary—Playhouse West—thank you for nurturing my growth and giving me the space to discover my love for acting.

To every photographer, teacher, creative, and visionary I’ve had the honor of collaborating with—thank you for helping bring art to life in ways I never imagined.

To the incredible souls I’ve met across the world, from Saudi Arabia to Montenegro and everywhere in between—your kindness and love have left a lasting imprint on who I am today.

To my brilliant, one-of-a-kind business partner—thank you for constantly challenging me to grow and see the world through a deeper artistic lens. Let’s make Yalla.Studio everything we dream it to be.

And lastly, to the one who has been by my side since the very beginning—thank you for being my most trusted messenger, always forgiving and there to help me.

Website: https://febaalex19.wixsite.com/model

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/febaalex/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feba-alex-839431ab

Other: Q Model Management:
https://www.qmanagementinc.com/los-angeles-women-main/feba-alex

Marketing Company Website:
https://yalla.studio/

Image Credits
1. Miss CA USA 2021
2. NYX Cosmetics Target Ad
3. Photo: Anastasiya Sazhina
4. NYX Cosmetics In-Store Ad
5. Nominal Ad
6. Photo: Astghik Safaryan
7. Photo: Anastasiya Sazhina
8. Miss CA Headshot: Georgina Vaughan
9. Photo: Leyla Stefani
10. Photo: Ranee Vespi
11. Photo: Anastasiya Sazhina