Celilo Miles facts for kids

Celilo Miles (born in 1995) is a talented Native American fashion model. She is a proud member of the Nez Percé tribe. Celilo started her career as a wildland firefighter in Idaho. In 2017, she moved to New York City to follow her dream of modeling. One of her most famous modeling jobs was in Victoria's Secret's 2022 Love Campaign. This campaign, launched on Valentine's Day, featured women from many different backgrounds. Celilo is one of the first Native American models to be part of a Victoria's Secret campaign in the company's long history.

Celilo Miles's Early Life

Celilo Miles grew up in Lapwai, Idaho, on the Nez Percé reservation. She loved nature from a young age. She enjoyed fishing and picking huckleberries with her family. When she was 12, a modeling agency noticed her and invited her to an audition.

As she grew up, Celilo also loved playing basketball. She became a firefighter for her tribe, inspired by her older sister. In 2017, she moved to New York to pursue modeling. While there, she worked other jobs, like at a steakhouse.

A sad event in 2019 caused Celilo to change her path. Her brother, AJ, passed away. This led Celilo to move back to Idaho. She decided to focus on being a firefighter again. Months later, Victoria's Secret called her. They offered her a modeling job for their 2022 Love Cloud Campaign.

Celilo Miles's Career Journey

Modeling Career

Celilo's modeling journey began when she was 12. This happened at a scouting event in Moscow, Idaho. Later, at another event in Seattle, Washington, more modeling agencies noticed her unique background and talents. She started getting many calls. At 14, she signed with her first agent.

During her early modeling career, Celilo felt pressure to lose weight. The industry often expected models to be very thin. These standards were not healthy or sustainable for Celilo. Because of this, she took a break from modeling. She went back home to focus on firefighting.

In early 2022, Celilo returned to modeling. She joined Victoria's Secret's Love Cloud Collection. This was the first modeling campaign where Celilo felt truly comfortable. She was free to be herself and did not have to fit into strict beauty standards.

Wildland Firefighting

Celilo Miles is an enrolled member of the Nez Percé tribe. Her tribe is also known as Nimiipuu. Her older sister, Selina, inspired her to become a firefighter when she was young. Celilo has a strong desire to protect her homeland and community.

She interned with the Nez Percé Environmental Restoration and Wasteland program. By 2016, she joined her tribe's 20-person fire crew department. Celilo felt that firefighting was a true calling for her. By the summer of 2020, she had completed her fourth full fire season. After her brother passed away in 2019, Celilo shifted her focus. She went from part-time modeling to full-time firefighting.

Celilo Miles's Education

As of 2025, Celilo Miles is attending Arizona State University. She is studying communication. She also continues to model part-time. Celilo plans to transfer to the University of Idaho. This will allow her to be closer to her family.