Once Upon a Mermaid: How I Became a Professional Mermaid

I remember the first time I considered being a professional mermaid. Before Father’s Day 2016, I never would have guessed that I would be working parties, events, and modeling gigs in a silicone tail and seashell top. I had joined my roommate and her family at an underwater-themed restaurant in Nashville, TN, to celebrate her dad. As we sat around a table next to the large tank of fish in the center of the restaurant, “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid came on over the speakers, and two or three mermaids at a time descended into the tank with the fish.

Instantly, I felt like a child, staring wide-eyed in wonder at my first, real-life encounter with professional mermaids. The girls swam around the tank, blowing kisses at the little kids and posing for pictures. My roommate’s mom leaned over to me and said, “That would be the perfect job for you, Kira.”

She had known me for nine years at least, so she knew that I worked as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and swim coach at the YMCA. I adored working in water, and I loved working and interacting with children. Her words were exactly right, and they inspired me to consider the possibility.

Over the next several days, I told anyone I could about my new dream. My mom was skeptical, my friends were bewildered, and I was unshakable. I called the restaurant and inquired about the mermaid positions. Sadly, I was quickly turned down, a gruff voice on the other end of the line informing me that they were not currently holding any auditions. He told me I could watch their Facebook page for any announcements concerning mermaid auditions, but he also warned me not to be too hopeful. They probably wouldn’t be looking again until the next summer.

I remember hanging up the phone feeling so frustrated. I thought that I had lost my only chance, and I almost gave up on the whim altogether. It had only been a couple days since I discovered professional mermaids, and I assumed that my crazy urge would dissipate as fast as I had discovered it. I would have given up altogether if I hadn’t met Mermaid Bonnie.

The lifeguards buzzed as I walked into work the day after I had been turned down by the restaurant. There were mermaids in our outdoor pool! Mermaid Bonnie and Mermaid Cece—one of Bonnie’s employees—were practicing in the deep end, diving and somersaulting under the water. On my first break of my shift, I made a bee-line to introduce myself to Bonnie. I asked her questions about how she started as a mermaid, and as we talked back and forth, I even told her about the restaurant and how I wanted to be a professional mermaid.

Bonnie was so open about all of her experiences. I was late coming back from my break because she shared so much with me about her life as a mermaid. I was beyond excited, because Bonnie had started on her own, and now was one of the most successful and sought-after professionals in the field. Surely if she could do it, I thought to myself, it was possible for me.

As Bonnie was preparing to leave that day, I went over to thank her for taking the time to talk to me. We exchanged emails, and she looked at me for a moment before saying, “You know, if you’re really serious, I would be delighted for you to work for my company.”

And that is how I received my invitation to be a part of Music City Mermaid and started my work as a professional, performing mermaid! I have so many more stories to tell, from my first tail to my first photoshoot to countless parties to mermaid conferences to mermaid crafts—and the list goes on! Stay tuned and follow this blog for mermaid puns, anecdotes, and more!

Best Wishes and Swimmy Fishes,

Mermaid Kira

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