At just 13 years old, Haitian-American model Niyah Imani Jean-Pierre has quickly established herself as a rising star in the fashion industry. Born to an African American mother and a Haitian American father, she brings a rich cultural heritage to her work.
The youngest of five siblings, Niyah is known for her intelligence, warmth, and academic excellence, qualities that her grandmother, Marie Fonrose, has encouraged. Fonrose has played a pivotal role in Niyah’s career, overseeing public relations and management and drawing on her early experience guiding Niyah’s uncle, Matthieu Jean-Pierre, in becoming an actor. He, along with model Tyra Banks, inspired Niyah to head down her current path.
Fonrose founded Bookedit Management LLC, the agency that has supported Niyah from the outset. With her family’s unwavering support and professional guidance, Niyah continues to refine her craft, training in acting and further elevating her runway presence.
In just three years, Niyah has built an impressive modeling and acting résumé, appearing in front of Getty Images’ lens, collaborating with photographer Eugene Gologursky, and walking for a range of designers.
Niyah is currently represented by Starburst Talent Agency (Los Angeles) for film and commercial work. She has not signed with a modeling agency yet, but books runway and editorial work through Bookedit Management.
She has racked up extensive experience in runway, editorial, and print, having explored ambassadorships with brands such as Zelool Fashion Eyewear and Muah Lipglosses, and collaborated with JustStrong, Rare Editions, MiaBelle Baby, TBH Skincare, Gianthoodies, Elemental Bottles, and DreamsJammies.
Niyah has also worked with leading designers, such as Elie Balleh, Anna Pavlovska, and proudly represents her Caribbean heritage on and off the runway, through partnerships with Frocknfreckles, Pannacouture, and Ruchi Goyal Crochet, as well as International Heritage India Fashions. She has also been featured in Fashion Republic Magazine, Canvas Rebel, Marika Magazine, and Voyage Baltimore.
With a following of nearly 16,000 on Instagram, Niyah has become an inspiration since her debut in August 2022. Her talents extend to film, with credits in “My Soulmate the Movie,” “Indigo,” and a documentary spotlighting young women in entertainment. She recently honed her acting skills at the Latino Theatre Company’s LATC Conservatory and is guided, her grandma says, by two mottos: “Be yourself — everyone else is already taken,” and “Stay humble, stay kind, and never stop dreaming.”
She has made regular appearances at major U.S. fashion events, including New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and Los Angeles Fashion Week (LAFW).
Niyah balances her passion for fashion with school work, having recently completed the eighth grade. Creative interests such as crocheting and a close-knit family provide grounding and support, while her parents and her four older siblings encourage her growth on every front.
Driven by her Haitian heritage and her family’s support, Niyah brings a strong sense of purpose to her work, championing representation and diversity within the industry.
As a digital influencer, she connects with her audience and inspires the next generation’s interest in the modeling industry, according to her grandmother.
The teenage model continues her family’s legacy, which began with Marie Fonrose mentoring her son, Matthieu Jean-Pierre. Niyah approaches each commitment with discipline, prioritizing her education while pursuing her ambitions as a model and actress. She appears to be off to a good start.
