The gorgeous Mayra Dias Gomes is an inspiration to many. She is smart, cool, beautiful, and oh, so brave! From teenage best-selling author to professional wrestling personality, to cover model, she talked about taking control of her life and paving her own way to success

We meet Mayra Dias Gomes at her Hollywood apartment and can’t help but notice; the French architectural design of her home feels like something straight out of a mystery romance novel. Mayra, who has already written four books, agrees and says that’s why she moved into this location over ten years ago, upon learning Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart were some of its illustrious past residents, and that it is famously haunted. 

The tattooed Brazilian-born model and writer moved from Rio de Janeiro to Los Angeles all on her own when she was just 21 years old, after she became a best-selling author at age 19 in her home country, writing about her struggles with depression. 

“I actually wanted to live in LA since I was a kid. I paid a lot of attention to American artists and movies and I went to an American School. When I was 14, I would beg my mom to let me move into a friend’s house. I always felt like I didn’t fit in at home. The bad things that happened to me as a teenager gave me the drive to leave and to move to the US on my own. Once I made money as a writer, I decided it was time and I went straight to Hollywood.”

Mayra worked as an entertainment writer in Hollywood for over 10 years, and had memorable conversations with some of the most famous celebrities in the world. But while she appeared to live the perfect life, she continued to battle the same demons.

“When I was 11, I lost my father in a car accident, and found out he had died through a news article. As a teenager, I became angry and rebellious. No one could tell me what to do. For 20 years, I used alcohol to medicate anxiety and depression, but I was only making it worse. When I stopped drinking, I was able to start my healing process, which was about regaining my self-worth and taking control of my life.”

Taking control of her life and regaining her self worth involved doing something extremely difficult and demanding; going to a professional wrestling school in Las Vegas. She lived there for six months and was discovered by rockstar Billy Corgan, of the rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan, who owns the National Wrestling Alliance, and who was impressed by Mayra’s equal mix of poise and grit, made her the current an on-air host for the NWA.

In the past year, she was on the cover of other huge magazines, like Playboy and FHM, and her international modeling career took off.

“I have been intentionally putting in work to build my career and ensure my future. I have the time and energy to do it now because I’m not dealing with so many emotional problems.”

We tell her she has become an inspiration to many as she engages in more and more speaking endeavors, openly sharing her story, and ask her if she considers herself a role model. She says she’s had serious episodes of impostor syndrome and has had to remind herself why people look up to her.

“I’ve realized it’s a lot of responsibility, so I take it very seriously. Sometimes it scares me, because of course I still have bad days. But, as long as I stay honest about my struggles, I believe I’ll be okay in this role. I love sharing my story and the lessons I continue to learn. It means a lot to me that people want to listen.”

Image credits:

Photo: Karl Larsen
Photo editor: Freiddo Efeit
Hair & makeup: Saffiya Lakhani
Location: Hollywood Pastel Palace
Production designer: Dina Renée
Clothing: Binno Jewels &
Jami Fashion Boutique
Jewelry: Binno Jewels
Videographer: Suzy Hekamiah

ITP Media Group newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.