Nine-year-old American-Mexican-Nigerian dancer, model and actress, Kleopatra Vargas, tells
NAOMI CHIMA
about her career and how she manages fame at such a young age
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your upbringing influenced your career?
I am a fifth-grade honour roll student. My dad is Mexican-American, and my mum is Nigerian-American, so I come from a multicultural background. I speak English, a bit of Igbo, Hausa, and Spanish. I was born in Chicago, United States of America, but I now live in Las Vegas. I have been dancing, acting, and modelling since I was two months old.
I remember being three years old, grabbing a broom and dancing with it like it was a microphone. My grandma introduced me to traditional Igbo dances by singing and dancing with me over Zoom. That early connection to culture and performance has really shaped who I am today.
At what age did you start taking your talents seriously?
According to my mum, I entered my first pageant at just 10 months old—Little Baby Miss Illinois. It was a huge competition, and my mum carried me down the runway. That’s how it all started.
How would you describe your relationship with your parents and their roles in your journey?
My mum is my biggest supporter. She is always at my plays, competitions, and events. I love her so much. My dad is also there for me, especially during school days. He’d take me to school when my mum couldn’t. They’ve both played a huge role in helping me grow.
What family values or traditions have influenced your work as a dancer, model, and actress?
The biggest value is staying confident and true to myself. My parents always remind me not to follow the crowd, especially with all the trends and peer pressure in the US.
My mum always says, “You’re Nigerian. That means you work hard, stay focused, and aim for the best grades.” It’s a strong cultural value, and it’s kept me grounded.
What are some of your standout performances or roles so far?
There are so many. Recently, I won nine school awards, including five this year alone. I have walked for top designers at Kids Fashion Week in Washington, D.C., San Diego Fashion Week, Chicago Fashion Week, and the Kids Multicultural Award Fashion Festival.
I have also danced at the African Diaspora Festival, the Igbo Cultural Festival in Houston, and in Las Vegas. Each one means a lot to me.
You also won the Junior Miss USA title. What does that mean to you?
Winning Junior Miss USA was huge. People now recognise me in stores and even ask for pictures. It’s not just about the crown; it’s also about helping people. I have worked with the homeless, attended seminars, and tried to inspire other kids to dream big.
Who are your biggest inspirations in the industry?
Beyoncé is my ultimate role model. I love her confidence when she sings and dances. I also admire Baby Dove and The Voice.
How do you prepare for performances?
I take deep breaths, tell myself why I’m there, and get into character. I tell myself, “You’re here to shine. So breathe, practise, and do your best.”
What advice would you give to other kids who desire a career in the entertainment industry?
Never give up. If you do, your dream goes with it. Keep pushing, stay focused, and be the best version of yourself.
How has being Junior Miss USA helped you grow personally?
It has helped me become more confident speaking in public, and has taught me how to be a role model. Through my mum’s foundation—Dr. Crystal Chan-Changi Foundation—I help raise funds for homeless children in Nigeria. We also volunteer at food pantries, animal shelters, and more. These efforts have strengthened my confidence and made me proud to show my work at pageants.
What are your short-term and long-term goals?
In the short term, I want to be in more movies, travel the world, and spread happiness through dance. Long-term, I want to be a TV host, maybe in Paris (France), and keep helping others.
How do you balance your busy career with being a regular kid?
I don’t even know how I do it. I go to school every day from 7:30am to 5 pm.
I barely have free time, except maybe on Saturdays; but even then, I’m at the theatre.
My parents have been putting me in activities since I was a baby, so now it’s just part of me. This summer, I visited Nigeria for the first time, and I’m so excited to create content, meet celebrities, and have fun.
What’s your favourite way to relax after a long day?
I love reading novels, watching dance videos, and saying affirmations to myself like, “Kleopatra, you’re the best. You’ll always reach the top.”
And guess what? I just hit a million followers on TikTok. Hard work pays off.
You’ve met stars like Flavour, Davido, and Ighalo. Who would you love to perform with?
Davido, definitely! I love how he owns the stage with his energy. I feel like we would connect so well on stage.
How does it feel to be known both in the US and Nigeria?
It is amazing. It makes me feel happy, accepted, and proud of who I am.
What was your favourite thing about visiting Nigeria for the first time?
Meeting new people and my extended family was the best part. They brought me gifts and introduced me to delicious food—real Nigerian food!
I tried tuwo shinkafa, egusi soup, bitter leaf soup, suya, and smoked rice—which is so different (and better) than the US version.
Which Nigerian dish is your favourite?
Egusi soup with pounded yam or fufu.
What’s your go-to music?
Every song has a beat that makes me want to dance, whether it is afrobeats, hip-hop, amapiano, or even country.
Which challenges do you face, and how do you overcome them?
My biggest challenge is not having enough free time. And on social media, we sometimes get negative comments. My mum manages my page, and if something’s hurtful, we just block the person. We don’t let it get to us.
How do you deal with online criticism?
I ignore it. If I stop and doubt myself, I might lose my dream. So I just keep going. But, I also hope people would stop spreading negativity.
What do you want to study in university?
I want to be a lawyer. That way, if anyone tries to sue me, I’ll be ready with my papers.
What do you want to say to your fans and your mum?
I love you all. I also love my grandma and mum so much. Please keep supporting me, keep liking and subscribing to my YouTube channel. We are just getting started.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
