4 Lessons Serena Page Teaches Us About Boldness, Belief, and Being That Girl
Love Island USA Season 6 winner, Serena Page, is proof that taking risks and “doing it for the plot” can take you further than you ever imagined. From quitting her job to becoming a reality TV star, this piece unpacks what it really means to be bold and bet on yourself.
Credit: Kendall Bessent x Teen Vogue
The Power of Betting on Yourself
Fresh off her Teen Vogue interview, Serena Page is showing us what it looks like when you bet on yourself and show up in style (and I’m not just talking about the lineup of designer pieces she stunned in).
From moving to LA and quitting her job, to winning Love Island USA Season 6, securing brand deal after brand deal, and now blessing our screens on the spinoff series, Love Island: Beyond the Villa, Serena’s journey offers more than a good storyline and cute pics for our moodboards.
It offers real-life gems—especially for Black women, creatives, and anyone bold enough to take a chance on themselves.
A Few Gems For You
1. Be Yourself, Fully. Not the Watered-Down Version.
Serena doesn’t see herself as a celebrity, and maybe that’s how she’s maintained her transparency, goofiness, and wit—the same things that made the girls love her during her 6 weeks in the villa on Love Island USA (P.S. I’m girls).
One year, 2M+ followers, and brand deals out the a$$ later, Serena reminds us:
1. You don’t have to put on a persona for people to support you.
2. You also don’t have to be a traditional celebrity to make a huge impact.
Show up as who you are, not who people want you to be, and your people will find you and support you.
2. Take the Risk. It Might Change Your Life.
Serena shared that she’s in her doing it for the plot era, doing things that are outside of her comfort zone just to see what happens. She shared,
I want to be able to say I tried any and everything, whether I loved it or hated it. [So] when I’m old and crusty, I can lie back and say, ‘There’s not one thing that I wish I would’ve done.’ I just be doing sh*t. I tell people, ‘I live life for the plot because you never know what could happen.’”
Far too often, we psyche ourselves out of taking risks and unique opportunities because of fear. Fear of failure. Fear of judgement. Fear of not feeling “ready.”
But life is too rich and way too short to put ourselves in a box and deny ourselves of life-changing experiences.
Serena moved to LA before her money was up.
She quit her job after a promotion to go on Love Island USA Season 6 (which she won).
Don’t allow fear to hold you back. The only way to know if something’s for you is to try.
The beautiful thing about trying is even if you fail, you can dust yourself off and try again (Shoutout to Aaliyah).
3. To My Black Women: Wear the Braids.
In boardrooms. On red carpets. In life’s special moments, from prom to weddings, and even on TV.
Serena, a long-time fan of Love Island, noticed most Black women wore wigs. Feeling inspired by Justine Ndiba from Love Island Games, she decided at the last minute to wear braids instead of bundles.
She cried, thinking she wouldn’t make it to the villa because of her braids—especially since she did her interviews in wigs. But she cried all the way to villa…and all the way to victory.
That kind of representation matters, especially for dark-skinned Black girls who rarely get to see themselves win without conforming to societal beauty standards.
Black women, our hair, whether it’s curly & coily, braided, or loc’d, is beautiful, acceptable, and done.
Y’all know what I mean.
Show up as who you are, unapologetically.
That’s what makes you stand out.
And that’s how you win.
4. Build a Brand That Aligns With You.
Serena caused a lot of conversation about her hair. Whether it was the way she showed the versatility of braids through her super cute hairstyles, how she kept them fresh for 6 weeks in Fiji (iykyk, this is skill), or the fact she braided boyfriend Kordell Beckham’s hair on (and off) camera—she kept the internet talking.
And all that talk led to her stepping into the Cécred salon, securing a brand deal with Beyoncé’s award-winning hair care line. Now, she’s preparing to launch her own line.
This is what brand alignment actually looks like. It’s not always a lip kit or athleisure line (No shade). It’s full circle. It’s personal. It’s purposeful.
Your passions are often rooted in your purpose. And your purpose is always rooted in you. And if you’re multi-passionate, that’s okay. Honor that.
Your purpose might not fit in one lane. Do it all.
Stay Open Like a Book
Life is beautifully messy (as f*ck). It’s filled with many highs and many lows. Still, we have to remain open to people, to the process, and to new opportunities.
From Serena’s slow-burn-turned-fairytale-romance with Kordell to her honesty about navigating anxiety and embracing the unknown—she reminds us that even when things feel unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or don’t quite make sense, that doesn’t mean it’s not meant for us.
Sometimes, your next blessing or breakthrough is waiting behind the door that you’re afraid to walk through.
Whether you’re a content creator, a businesswoman, or just a girl trying to figure it out, Serena is living proof that betting on yourself doesn’t require a perfect plan or for you to feel 100% “ready.”
You just need a little courage, a whole lot of faith, and even more audacity. Be open, and let life surprise you.
You might just end up doing everything you dreamed of—like being featured in Teen Vogue, just like Serena Page.
Meet the Writer
Arielle Louise is the founder of The Avantage, exploring fashion, lifestyle, and culture through impactful stories.
With love and soul, she empowers women to dress in style, lead with confidence, and unapologetically take up space.
Stay tuned for more to help you dress well, live well, and lead boldly,
only on The Avantage.
xo,
The Avantage 