Today we’d like to introduce you to LaFaye Noel.
Hi LaFaye, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I like to say my journey has been anything but traditional, but every twist and turn has shaped me into the woman I am today. I grew up understanding struggle and resilience firsthand. Life threw challenges at me—homelessness, abuse, single motherhood—but instead of letting them break me, I used them as fuel to build something greater.
I began working in healthcare as a medical assistant, which gave me both stability and a way to care for others. Alongside that, I became a two-time business owner and learned what it meant to build something from the ground up. At the same time, I discovered pageantry—not just the crowns and gowns, but the empowerment and purpose behind the platform. That’s where my mission, Scars to Stars, was born. It’s about transforming pain into purpose, healing out loud, and helping others see the beauty in their own resilience.
That commitment carried me all the way to winning the title of Mrs. Petite USA 2024–2025 and later placing as First Runner-Up at Mrs. Universal Petite 2025. Those milestones were more than trophies—they were proof that your past doesn’t define your future, and that your voice has power when you choose to use it.
Where I am today is the result of refusing to give up. Through Scars to Stars and the platforms I’ve built, I remind others that no matter what you’ve been through, your story can change lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth isn’t a word I’d ever use to describe my journey. My road has had more potholes than pavement. I’ve faced homelessness, poverty, abuse, and the reality of raising four children while rebuilding my life. There were times when keeping the lights on or putting food on the table felt like a bigger competition than any pageant stage.
As a former two-time business owner, I also learned the hard lessons of entrepreneurship—navigating limited resources, taking risks, and sometimes starting over from scratch. On top of that, I walked through betrayal and heartbreak, all while trying to keep my faith and vision intact.
But every struggle became a stepping stone. Those challenges are the very heartbeat of my Scars to Stars platform, because I know what it feels like to be counted out, and I also know what it feels like to rise again. I’ve taken what should have broken me and turned it into a story that gives others hope.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work lives at the intersection of empowerment, storytelling, and leadership. Through my platform Scars to Stars, I help women and young girls transform their pain into purpose by sharing my own journey of resilience and teaching them how to step confidently into their power. I specialize in pageant coaching, motivational speaking, and mentoring—whether that’s preparing someone for the stage, helping them own their personal story, or showing them how to use their voice with confidence.
I’m best known for being authentic. People connect with me because I don’t just share the highlight reel—I’m open about the scars that shaped me. That honesty has carried me to incredible milestones like winning Mrs. Petite USA 2024–2025 and placing as First Runner-Up at Mrs. Universal Petite. But what I’m most proud of isn’t the crowns—it’s the women and girls who tell me they felt seen, heard, or inspired because of my work.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just coach or speak from theory. I’ve lived the challenges I talk about—poverty, abuse, single motherhood, starting over—and I’ve turned those lived experiences into tools of empowerment for others. My ability to blend pageantry, purpose, and personal resilience makes my work unique, because I’m not only teaching people how to shine—I’m reminding them that their scars are part of what makes them shine brighter.
Any big plans?
The future feels like a wide-open stage, and I’m excited to keep stepping into bigger assignments. I plan to continue growing Scars to Stars into more than just a platform—it’s becoming a movement through my upcoming book, speaking engagements, and community events that pour into women and young girls.
On the pageant side, I’m preparing to compete again, this time in the Ms. division, and I look forward to using that visibility to expand my reach and impact. Beyond the crown, I want to continue building spaces where women can be unapologetically themselves, heal openly, and discover their own power.
One of the biggest changes I’m most excited about is the launch of my new podcast, Unfiltered Wisdom. It’s a space where I get to blend my personal story, real-life lessons, and conversations around healing, motherhood, and empowerment. It will give me another platform to connect directly with women everywhere and build a community that feels both safe and inspiring.
The biggest shift I see coming is stepping fully into my role as a professional speaker and leader, not just in pageantry but across industries. I’m creating opportunities to travel, speak, and partner with organizations that share my vision for empowerment. At the end of the day, my goal is to make sure the next woman coming behind me knows she can rise—because I already paved part of the road for her.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lafayespeaks.com
- Instagram: @lafaye_speaks
