Miracle Pelayo is all about breaking barriers and owning her story. With a spark for acting, a passion for advocacy, and a name that truly fits, she’s making waves in Hollywood—and beyond. From screen roles to speaking out on disability representation, Miracle brings heart, humor, and honesty to everything she does. Her journey is one of creativity, resilience, and the belief that every story—especially the ones less told—deserves to be seen and heard.

Where are you based?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.

What got you into acting, modeling, and content creation?
I have been dreaming of being an actor since I was four years old. I loved being in front of the camera as a kid. Modeling emerged when I participated in a photoshoot with an organization called Best Buddies, and I loved the energy from everyone on the shoot's set. I wanted to keep pursuing it. I was taught in an acting class that the camera is your best friend, and so I always take that approach with modeling. Content creating came about shortly after the pandemic. I would often see the medical side of having a disability, and so I wanted to make it more fun and lighthearted on social media to showcase Cerebral Palsy positively.

Acting runs in your family, and you have enjoyed being in front of the camera as a child. Can you tell us how acting ran in your family, and how much that influenced your career choice?
My Godmother did acting classes when she attended middle school and high school before I was born. She went to the same junior high and high school that I graduated from as well. Her parents then met in acting class. My cousins did a lot of theater plays when I was a teenager, and some of them are now working actors themselves. It played a huge part in where I am today.

You have studied under many prominent figures in the entertainment industry, such as Michael Fairman (The Young and the Restless) and Charles Tentindo (Days of our Lives). What has been the most valuable thing they have taught you?
Michael Fairman taught me that acting comes from a personal place of life. That’s why we have sense memory to help us create the characters when we are performing in that moment. Charles Tentindo taught me that when you are in front of the camera, it’s like talking to your favorite person in the room because it is all about connection.

You made history in 2016 by being the first actor in a wheelchair on Nickelodeon when starring in two episodes of “Bella and the Bulldogs”. What did this opportunity mean to you?
Nickelodeon forever changed my life, and my heart is so grateful. I had dreamt about being on Nickelodeon since I was nine. It gave my heart such joy. Not just for me as an actor, but the reason WHY I was doing it. I wanted someone who is in a wheelchair to watch the episode and think to themselves, If she can do it, I can do it too.”

You have said that your strongest quality is understanding the characters you play on a personal level, which enables you to create a story with them when performing. Can you tell us more about this?
When I am acting, I always say to myself.. You are not Miracle in this performance; You are the character. What’s the story? How are they doing in the moment right now? What is their backstory that got them where they are today? What matters to them the most? I ask myself all these questions before doing a self-tape audition. That’s how I can make a personal choice for the performance.

You’ve recently gotten into modeling, with a photoshoot with Abigail Gorden called “The Wheelchair Fashionista Files”. What made you decide to pursue this new avenue in your career? Will we be seeing more modeling in the future?
Collaborating with different photographers started in 2022. Abigail Gorden was my third fashion content collab, and she was amazing to work with. What started my fashion content journey was when I accidentally went viral on social media with a reel with an audio “ Pretty Girls Walk Like This” of me walking in my walker with a Guess sweatshirt. That’s when Fashion Content originally started from there. I loved doing photoshoots after my experience with Best Buddies. I met Abigail in 2023. We stayed in contact, and I then reached out to her to do a photoshoot in LA, and she believed in my passion project of “ Making Cerebral Palsy Beautiful” and was behind me 100%. What began the whole journey was wanting to showcase CP in a fashionista way to help young girls feel confident with their disabilities. I hope to do more modeling in the future with clothing brands, bringing awareness of disability representation.

You’ve been in multiple commercials for Tommy Hilfiger’s Adaptive Clothing lines. Could you tell us more about how you became involved in the campaign and what the clothing line means to you?
It was actually a commercial audition I was submitted for when I first started in the industry. When I talked about what adaptive fashion means to me and how important disability representation is and how I think Tommy Hilfiger is really making a movement, I got the callback the next day and got to do the project with my little sister. We then booked the job together and had the best time. I got to put on a jacket all by myself for the first time, and it is such a special core memory for us. I am very proud of Tommy Hilfiger and the message they stand by to help people with disabilities be independent.

Another history-making feat you have is being the voice of the first American Girl Doll with Cerebral Palsy in AG doll history. What was your favorite part of voicing Lily in the YouTube series American Girl Doll: The Travel Twins?
My favorite part about voicing Lily was knowing that a little girl was going to hear my voice as someone with a disability and say to themselves,” Lily is just like me!” I wanted little ones to see themselves in Lily in the episode and what she is all about — on never giving up on her dreams.

Why is it so important that we see characters like Lily?
It is important to see characters like Lily so people are more open to disability representation in the media. I want this to become the new normal in the future for all of us.

You also mentioned that you recently booked another co-star role. Is there anything you can tell us?
I will share details when I can! Stay tuned!

You started the movement of “making Cerebral Palsy beautiful”. Can you tell us a bit about this movement and what inspired it?
I wanted to help young girls and women feel confident in their own skin with their disabilities. I believe that an outfit that makes you feel the most powerful you could ever be. When I do an OOTD reel, I instantly feel like I can take on the day. I want my fashionista to know you can be your own wheelchair baddie in no matter what you wear.

Do you believe that social media focuses on the negatives of disabilities?
Oftentimes, social media can make us have a lot of emotions depending on the content. Sometimes having a disability can bring on the medical side or POV on social media, which is real and true, but I also think it should be filled with hope and lifting each other up.

Your goal is to help make Cerebral Palsy fun and help young girls feel confident in their wheelchairs and walkers. How do you feel you are passing on this message? Did you have anyone who inspired you during your childhood?
I feel like I am passing on that message just by showing up, honestly If you want something done, YOU have to start the journey yourself. Using my platform is so important for me because it’s changing someone’s life. I didn’t see anyone like me on TV or in pictures growing up as a kid, so that’s what started the spark. I had to do something to make the change.

Did you ever struggle with insecurities from having Cerebral Palsy and being in a wheelchair? If so, how did you overcome them?
I do struggle with my own insecurities, but honestly, what gets me through it is PRAYER! I have a very strong relationship with the Lord, and He is my strength.

What do you want the lay population to know about Cerebral Palsy, people in wheelchairs, and disabilities?
Cerebral Palsy is a life condition, but it will never stop us from living our life.

How can the lay population be more supportive of those with Cerebral Palsy?
I think the more you ask questions on how Cerebral Palsy is lived out on a daily basis and ask us to share our story, that is one way to support those with CP.

You were UCI Irvine’s first preemie to survive at 23 weeks. Did this impact your passion for supporting NICU Awareness Month?
More than you know! Without the NICU, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If I could hug any of the NICU nurses and staff that took care of me, I would do it in a heartbeat.

It’s been a rough few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
What helps me stay positive is thinking that, OK, I know I am going through something for a reason but I can either say “ Why Me” and hide, or I can learn from it and think, What can I learn from the season I am in and how is it going to help me grow?”

What is your motto in life?
One of my friends, Angela Rockwood, says, If you can’t stand up, stand out. I live by that motto everyday.

To learn more about Miracle Pelayo, please check out the links below:
WEBSITE: MIRACLEPELAYO.COM
INSTAGRAM: MIRACLEPELAYOOFFICIAL
TIKTOK: MIRACLEPELAYO_
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: MIRACLE PELAYO
SNAPCHAT: MIRACLEPELAYO23
X: MIRACLEPELAYO20

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