Pop culture icon and philanthropist Emily Alexandra Guglielmo speaks out.

Emily is known across the world for her striking beauty, her successful cosmetics line, and of course – as The American Mermaid.

Life is hectic for Emily – but it is always super exciting. From photo shoots, to business meetings, to creating beautiful cruelty-free, water resistant makeup, to dressing up as a real-life mermaid – she really is living the American girls dream, and has built her own empire from the ground up.

We recently chatted with the iconic Playboy® model and successful entrepreneur and she shared with us the story behind why she started her exciting journey and also shared a few fantastic tips;

1. When did you realize you wanted to become a professional mermaid, model and actress?

I have always been a mermaid at heart since I was a little girl…same with modeling and acting. My father always had the video camera in my sister and I’s face .. lol. You get pretty confident and comfortable when you’re in front of the camera all the time! It wasn’t til I turned 18 when I decided to take on my acting/modeling career myself… I then chose to become a professional mermaid at age 22 with a tail from Mertailer.

2. We know you are actively involved in several charitable endeavors, can you share some details with our readers?

Yes, I founded my very own non-profit called SupportingWater.org where I find and raise monies to bring drinking water to Third World Nations; I have also partnered up with C-Nymph.com where they create marine life conservation and ocean cleanups along. I am also a big advocate and partner with 1000 Mermaids: a non-profit that creates statues with artificial coral reef attached to it to go down into the ocean that can in fact help preserve and grow new coral reef. Really cool!

3. How have you been able to balance your entertainment career and the businesses you run, such as your cosmetics brand?

I have a cosmetics business, a mermaid business and career , a model/ acting career, a non-profit , and go to school and have many other endeavors (like traveling)

How do I balance ? Very good question …. I am a firm believer in everything in your life must be equally balanced or you will falter, get burned out , or give up… I make sure I try and stay on somewhat of a routine to make sure all areas of my life get attention and service.

Check out Emily’s Instagram to follow her journey!