Kahlea Belonia
Blessed with a unique beauty, 21-yearold model Kahlea Belonia’s quiet nature belies her standout style
Often times, the people who sit comfortably in silence are the ones who have the loudest minds—and style. FilipinoAmerican model Kahlea Belonia is a testament to this. Upon scrolling on her Instagram feed, pops of red, yellow and pink brighten the app’s otherwise clean interface. One photo is of her in a liquid metallic bodysuit, emulating a golden goddess in all her glory. Another photo shows her wearing colorful woven coordinates by popular local brand Pio Pio. But what stands out is a photo of Belonia, blooming in the rosiest shades of Bench Beauty.
People might perceive her to be the loudest in the room because of her style and beauty choices, but she’s quite the opposite. Her aesthetic is heavily influenced by her mother who is a painter. In between modeling and taking care of her 2-year-old daughter Jermaine, she spends her time sketching, painting and immersing herself in art and design. Her subjects are mostly women—often portrayed as ethereal and celestial beings.
Belonia’s gentleness is reminiscent of R&B artist Jhene Aiko, whose calm nature is a stark contrast to her no-holdsbarred delivery of killer notes.
Just like Aiko, Belonia’s dreams are beyond this earth, her every step filled with grace. A free-spirited soul, she uses her energy wisely only on the things that make her grow. For now, it’s being able to serve as muse, mother and master to her everevolving craft. Belonia, after all, is out of this world.