MiAsia Symone is forming a league all her own! While she’s no stranger to being front and center as a radio personality and host, it’s usually her on the other side of the interview asking the questions in hopes of gaining a little more insight about her subject. She’s conducted hundreds of interviews over the course of her career, but now it’s her turn to tell her story as she sat down with The Bold Maven™️ for an exclusive look at what she’s learned about herself and her journey thus far to taking over the world of media.
Her calm, yet bubbly, demeanor radiates through the line for our early morning interview. She admits that she’s been going since the wee hours of the morning, a common practice in the world of radio, yet still evokes energy and comfort in her voice.
It’s clear to me very early on that MiAsia’s story is one of resilience, determination and authenticity as she explains just how uncertain her path was post-high school. She breaks down to me all of the transitions she had to make as she had to quickly pivot after an ACL injury put her career as a collegiate athlete in jeopardy. She attended five different colleges before she found her footing at Georgia State University, where she eventually graduated with a degree in Journalism.
“When my knee wasn’t getting any better, it just felt like it was too much,” expresses MiAsia. “So I knew my basketball journey would have to come to an end. And so I ended up moving but I was crying a lot because I was lonely. I just felt like I didn’t fit in. My roommates were so clicked up and they didn’t really want to talk to me. After I graduated from Georgia State in 2017, that’s when I started to tap into my radio media self”
MiAsia discovered her knack for communication and connecting with people as a bartender in college, MiAsia pursued an internship at Streetz 94.5, an Atlanta-based radio station. This marked a turning point in MiAsia’s journey to finding her path as she got introduced to the world of radio.
“I feel like it chose me. I’ve always been the friend who you come to for advice, the one you can vent to, and I knew I didn’t want to be a therapist or a counselor. So the next thing for me was to utilize those skills in the communications department. Now I’ve been an actual on air talent for almost three years. I knew I had to use my communication with people in some form or fashion, MiAsia explains.
Although the world of radio seemed to be a natural fit for MiAsia, it didn’t come without its own set of challenges, specifically with being a male-dominated industry. From dismissive program directors to confronting inappropriate advances, MiAsia was faced with how to forge her career while maintaining a reputation that demanded respect, which often left her with a dark feeling about the industry in general.
“People don’t understand that yes, I’m resilient. Yes, I’m a fighter. But I’m still human and things that people say and do still bother me,” says MiAsia. “At least I can get to some point of understanding that people are going to people. No matter what they do, you still have to be true to yourself and stay on your path and your journey.”
The pride that MiAsia feels when speaking about overcoming her obstacles is infectious. Maintaining self-respect and upholding her principles while staying grounded in an industry that thrives off of pushing the limits is a true testament to just how resilient MiAsia is. This becomes even more true as she credits her father as her ultimate inspiration for her level of hustle and unwillingness to fail.
“The best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten is to stay grounded and be persistent in what you’re doing. But the minute that you show weakness, and you show that you need something versus you want something, there’s a difference. You have to show that you really want it, but you’re willing to walk away at any given point if it’s just not right. Don’t try to attach yourself to someone else’s circle,” MiAsia advises.
While MiAsia already stands as a media maven, her eyes are set on becoming a full on mogul in the industry. Drawing inspiration from figures like Steve Harvey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Oprah Winfrey, she envisions a future where she is recognized for her versatility and contributions across various media platforms.
“I’ve developed into this strong, powerful, dominant but feminine woman,” MiAsia expresses. “I had to go through a lot to get to this point.”
With her sights set high, it’s not often MiAsia reflects on her journey, however she’s learned to understand the importance of appreciating the process. Through proper preparation, having a solid foundation and understanding what her version of success looks like, MiAsia advises other young women following in her footspets the importance of following your own timeline.
A media maven in her own right, MiAsia’s journey from uncertainty has blossomed her into a powerful figure of determination and authenticity, proving that success is a journey uniquely shaped by your own individual experience and unwavering persistence.
To stay connected to MiAsia Symone:
Instagram: @miasiasymone
Tune into Hot 107.9 on Saturdays from 2pm to 6pm ET as well as from 3pm to 7pm ET on the J Nicks show.
