I am a firecracker personality from Saint Louis, Missouri, USA. I am a lover of life, people, and adventure. I grew up playing the violin since I was 3 years old, and later transitioned to singing full time. I have lived in Boston, Massachusetts, where I attended Berklee College of Music, spent two years in Italy, and now I live in the Netherlands. I guess you can say that I am a person who can never sit still, but to me, I am always searching for the next beautiful road to travel. Growing up an adopted kid, I guess that really informed my style and the way I engage with music. That misfit feeling guided me throughout my life to find comfort in lying outside of lines and categories. I love reinventing myself through what I wear, as I feel that I can truly express myself without having to say a word. Life goes in phases and cycles. Why shouldn't my style? I find the way I dress to be so important to my expression, as I grew up never feeling accepted or beautiful. After having been fired for my natural hair, being told that I was too dark to be considered attractive, and many other very harmful things, I decided that no one else's opinion of me can ever matter more than my own. I love everything Lydia, and I want everyone to feel that love for themselves. I guess, in short, this is what makes me Lydia.

I think The Fashion Hero series has done a remarkable job of showcasing the beauty of people who, like me, may lie a bit outside of the lines. To me, that is the beauty that is untapped. It is so important to see, to refresh our eyes and our senses. In this day and age, proximity to the standard is a currency, but I feel that the wealth truly lies in those who fit no mold. It is so important for young people to see, as well. With social media being what it is, and many people taking what they see as authentic and standard, I think it is important to put some authenticity back into the eyes of consumers of media. I think The Fashion Hero does this well.

I have always strived to make people around me feel loved, comfortable, and empowered in their own skin. I feel that way about myself every day, and it took a long time to get to that place. I am an African-American girl from the States who never fit in, but never wanted to. I want to show people that it is okay not to accept the labels that people try to place on you, and it is okay not to accept those who discard you for not being able to categorize you. I am a firm believer in creating your own standards for yourself, and rocking with it all the way. I think my heart is transparent and my intentions are clear. I want to share this love with people, so that it might help someone shortcut their way to feeling their absolute best, despite what others think. The only person who can judge you is you.