…I just released my first clothing design, called the Angel Army T. It’s about keeping life lighthearted and fun, not getting bogged down by the day-to-day so you can see the bigger picture of your life — and of all our lives — because we’re all just visiting Earth for a moment in time. That idea, that we’re all angels on Earth, is the inspiration behind the Angel Army T…
I had the pleasure of talking with Natasha Di Fiore. Natasha is an American multidisciplinary artist whose career spans fashion, music, modeling, and film. Born and raised in Reading, Massachusetts, Di Fiore grew up in a working-class Italian-American household with cultural ties to the Abruzzo region of Italy. Her early life, shaped by a blend of traditional family values and creative exploration, laid the foundation for a career that has emphasized ethical artistry, personal resilience, and cross-disciplinary expression.
The daughter of immigrant parents, Di Fiore describes her upbringing as modest but rich in character. Her father served as the primary income earner, while her mother cared for the household and introduced her to the world of fashion and performance. From an early age, Di Fiore participated in beauty pageants, wearing handmade garments crafted by her mother, and appearing in home videos that would foreshadow her eventual involvement in entertainment. These early experiences were not only formative, but also collaborative, as she and her mother worked side-by-side on creative projects, shaping a bond that would influence her path.
Academically disciplined from a young age, Di Fiore pursued higher education in Boston, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and later an MBA from Simmons University. Her education complemented her creative pursuits, giving her tools to navigate the commercial dimensions of fashion and entertainment while maintaining artistic autonomy. While she began with part-time modeling jobs in her youth, Di Fiore committed to the industry full-time in 2008, gradually expanding into design, music, and acting.
Her career in entertainment includes work on film sets, such as an unexpected stand-in role on the production of Ted 2, which arose from a routine background appearance. That moment, Di Fiore recalls, highlighted the unpredictability of the industry and reinforced her adaptability — a quality she regards as essential in her field. She has also worked on European television productions, including a German-language series where she had to deliver lines under pressure, an experience that emphasized the importance of attentiveness and preparation on set.
As a model and fashion designer, Di Fiore is interested in the intersection of form, messaging, and experience. Her debut design, the Angel Army T, emerged from a vision of collective identity and transcendence. Featuring a minimalist black-and-white design with angel wings printed on the back, the garment is intended as a reminder of shared humanity and the fleeting nature of life. For Di Fiore, fashion serves not just as self-expression, but as a means of communicating larger philosophical and spiritual ideas.
This orientation extends into her work as a musician. Di Fiore is part of a music project called Painted Feather, a collaboration with guitarist and instrument-maker Daniel Bjorke. The duo has been performing at open mic events in Atlanta, Georgia and working on original compositions, including a song titled “Bigger,” which is accompanied by a self-produced music video. Di Fiore characterizes music as a lifelong companion — both cathartic and motivating — and sees it as another avenue to express the emotional complexity of modern life.
Throughout her artistic journey, Di Fiore has maintained a commitment to humanitarian causes, notably in the areas of mental health awareness, gender equity, and civil rights. These concerns are reflected not only in the themes of her creative work but also in her public engagements and advocacy. She frequently uses her platform to raise awareness around these issues, framing her career as an extension of broader ethical commitments.
In interviews, Di Fiore has spoken about the challenges of balancing ambition with personal well-being, citing the importance of sleep, physical exercise, and self-care routines in sustaining her energy and focus. Her practices include running, Pilates, and spending time outdoors, as well as occasional home-based rituals like face and hair masks, or quiet time at the beach. For her, self-care is not indulgent but essential — a counterbalance to the demands of a career rooted in public visibility and constant movement.
Looking forward, Di Fiore continues to expand her portfolio. Alongside plans to release more music and video content, she intends to develop a digital platform where she can share personal reflections, creative ideas, and new fashion designs. Her goal, she says, is not only to build a career but to cultivate a body of work that encourages people to stay lighthearted, embrace uncertainty, and focus on what truly matters.
Di Fiore remains active on multiple social media platforms and maintains a personal website, where she shares updates on her latest projects, merchandise, and performances. Whether through fashion, music, or film, she positions her work as an invitation — for viewers, listeners, and wearers — to engage more deeply with themselves and the world around them.
Yitzi: Natasha, it’s so good to see you again. Before we dive in deep, viewers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Natasha: Likewise, thank you for interviewing me. I really appreciate it.
I came from a very modest background. I grew up in New England, in Massachusetts. I was raised by parents who are from Italy, and it was a pretty normal childhood. I was a very good student in school and extremely disciplined. I remember setting an alarm clock as soon as I learned how. I was probably three, and my parents would say, “What are you setting an alarm for?”
It was a really nice childhood. My parents are very hard-working people. We always stretched the dollar because I grew up with just my father as the primary income earner. We were what is considered a middle-class family. My mom was wonderful — she was with us most of the time. I grew up with an older brother.
It was challenging not seeing my dad as much as I wanted to and spending more time with my mom. But we made it work. Later on, my dad worked a little less as I got older, and I saw more of him. He was always around, but when I was really young, it was mostly my mom, my brother, and me.
I was raised Catholic, but I had always been fascinated with seeing Israel. I went there — I think it was 2018 — and I stayed in Jerusalem, but I also visited Bethlehem, Jericho, Ein Gedi and Palestine. I saw the Wall, and I just had an amazing time. I was curious. You hear all these stories about Jesus growing up, and I wanted to see what that place was like. I know it’s probably very different from when he walked the Earth, but I wanted to experience it. I wanted to learn about the different faiths, and it was really inspiring. I actually posted something on social media — a flyer I made summarizing my experience. I sent it out to some people over the Christmas holiday and shared it on my Instagram and Facebook pages. I came away from it with this sense that Jesus is your friend and he wants what’s best for you.
Yitzi: That’s great. So, can you tell us the story of what led you to modeling, the entertainment industry, and music? Tell us the story of your first entry, your first breaks.
Natasha: Sure. My mom was kind of the catalyst for it all. She would enter me into beauty pageants before I could even walk, and she created the clothing I wore for them. We did these together, and it was a lot of fun — it felt like playing dress-up with my mom.
Along the way, we met other parents who referred us to different agencies. I did odd jobs here and there throughout school, just for some spending money. That’s what I did growing up, in addition to my other hobbies and hanging out with friends.
As for a big break, I wouldn’t say I had one defining moment. I feel like I’m creating my own path every day. You just keep getting better at what you do, and that fuels me. No matter what, I keep going.
That’s really how it started — it was my mom. I was actually looking at some old photos recently because I revamped my website, natashadifiore.com. I wanted to share some of those childhood photos and so I posted them there. Looking at them, I thought, “Oh my God, there are pictures of me before I could even walk, and I’m already doing this stuff.”
It’s just part of my DNA at this point. I think maybe my mom saw something in me before I even realized I wanted to do it. To be honest, for several years I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pursue it as a career. I thought it was just a hobby I shared with my mom. But then in 2008, I decided to do it full-time.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories from your career in entertainment. Can you share with our readers one or two stories that most stand out in your mind from your professional life?
Natasha: I definitely do. Great question.
One that comes to mind happened during the filming of Ted 2 in Boston. I was initially just cast as a background actor in a crowd scene. I was on set, doing what I was hired to do, and suddenly someone pointed at me and said, “You, come here!” They pulled me aside and asked me to be a stand-in.
In film production, they sometimes need stand-ins to maintain lighting, camera positioning, and other technical elements while resetting a shot. It was unexpected, but things can change quickly on set. Usually, you show up to do what you’re contracted for, but sometimes you’re asked to take on other roles.
That day, what was supposed to be a simple background gig turned into a stand-in role. It came with more visibility and a pay bump, even though I don’t think I made it onto the final cut as a background actor. But the experience itself was cool because it was so unexpected. That’s one story that stands out.
Another memorable moment comes from a modeling shoot in New Hampshire, in a town called North Conway. It’s a beautiful mountain town known for its scenic railroad and ski resorts. We stayed at a charming boutique hotel, and the shoot was for a winter campaign.
The catch? It was in the middle of August, and I had to wear warm winter clothes — sweaters, wool dresses — in 80-degree heat. It was brutally uncomfortable. But you make it work. You laugh between shots, share stories, and try to stay in good spirits.
Luckily, the shoot involved a lot of movement and action shots rather than still posing, which helped distract from the discomfort. It was almost like acting while the photographer captured still images. If I had to just stand there in that heat, I probably would’ve lost it. But that shoot definitely stands out as one of those crazy, behind-the-scenes experiences where you’re doing something completely uncomfortable and trying to make the best of it.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a funny mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson that you learned from it?
Natasha: Funny mistake… oh gosh. When I was working on a German TV movie series. I wasn’t a principal actor, but I had a featured role with lines.
One day on set, I was eating lunch — just off to the side, not expecting anything — and suddenly I heard, “Action!” I still had food in my mouth, maybe a sandwich or something, and I panicked. I almost choked trying to quickly swallow it and deliver my lines.
Thankfully, it was a dubbed series and I was going to be dubbed in German, but it still scared me. On set, timing is everything. You’re often shooting at rented locations, and there’s pressure to stay on schedule. That moment taught me a lot.
Since then, I’ve been much more aware of what’s going on around me and when I need to be ready. I try to manage my time better — knowing when to eat, when to rest — so I can stay present and give my best performance. It was a funny story in hindsight, but also a reminder of how important it is to stay focused and prepared. I could’ve literally choked, but thankfully I didn’t. And now, I always make sure I’m ready when it’s time to go.
Yitzi: What has been the most challenging project or most challenging role that you’ve taken on so far and why?
Natasha: Oh, the most challenging one… I’m not sure I have one single project that stands out as the most challenging. For me, it’s more about staying open to whatever is proposed to me. I tend to think of myself as adaptable.
In any job, I show up with an open mind and a willingness to do what I know how to do, while also learning something new. Whether it’s a recurring role or a one-day job, each experience brings its own lessons.
If I had to name a consistent challenge across all projects, I’d say it’s being a good collaborator. There can be a lot of personalities on set and sometimes drama. My goal is always to be someone people enjoy working with. At the end of a project, I want people to say, “Natasha was phenomenal. She couldn’t have been better. I would love to work with her again.”
No matter what challenges we face — budget cuts, scheduling issues — I aim to be professional and easy to work with. I don’t want to bring any extra drama to a set.
Yitzi: So, Natasha, you have so much impressive work. Please share with our readers any exciting projects you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future.
Natasha: Thank you. Yes, I’d love to.
Right now, I just released my first clothing design, called the Angel Army T. It’s about keeping life lighthearted and fun, not getting bogged down by the day-to-day so you can see the bigger picture of your life — and of all our lives — because we’re all just visiting Earth for a moment in time. That idea, that we’re all angels on Earth, is the inspiration behind the Angel Army T.
The concept came to me one day when I literally heard the words “just visiting” in my head. I saw it clearly on a white T-shirt with black letters and wings in black printed on the back, just as it looks now. I’m really proud of how it turned out, especially because when you design something, it doesn’t always come out the way you envision it due to production constraints. But this shirt came out exactly the way I imagined it. Another project I’m excited about is a music group I’m part of called Painted Feather. We’re up to four songs now and making demos of them. We’ve also been performing at open mics around Atlanta, Georgia which has been a lot of fun.
We just shot a music video for one of our songs called “Bigger,” and I’ll be releasing that online soon — on my website and social media platforms — once it’s finished. We also plan to release our music on SoundCloud and Spotify.
Music has always been like a best friend to me. It comforted me, inspired me, made me happier, and I hope our music can do the same for others.
My bandmate is Daniel Bjorke. He’s a very talented guitarist. He’s also a trained luthier, which means he makes guitars, as well as guitar pedals and other musical equipment. Right now, it’s primarily the two of us collaborating, and we may bring in a few more members down the line. But we’re the main creative force behind the music at this point.
Yitzi: Let’s talk about the Angel Army for a minute. What’s the message you’re hoping people take from the theme or the idea behind Angel Army?
Natasha: That we are all angels on Earth, visiting for a moment in time. The idea is to keep life lighthearted and fun while focusing on the big picture — not getting bogged down by the day-to-day so you don’t lose sight of that. We are all angels here. Every single one of us, even if you’ve forgotten.
Yitzi: And so let’s talk about the music. If you could take all the music, all the melodies, all the words, put it in a bucket and blend it up, what would be the overarching theme that comes out of that mixture?
Natasha: That life may be challenging, but it’s what you make of it through those challenges that matters.
Yitzi: Okay, this is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. You must have learned a lot from your experiences. Can you share five things that you’ve learned now that you wish you knew when you first started in entertainment?
Natasha: Sure.
- First of all, take breaks. Whether it’s calling a friend, moving your body, or having something to eat — take time to reset.
- Second, don’t overthink your next move. Just roll with it. Your next opportunity isn’t always something you can plan. Be open to how the universe delivers it. For example, right now I’m wondering, “Gosh, how are we going to make the next design happen?” I know it will, even if I don’t know how. I’m open to when and how it arrives.
- Third, always be kind to people along the way. Be as graceful as possible. If you’re having a tough time, step away rather than adding tension to a situation. Be courteous and aware of others.
- Fourth, take time for yourself. Balance your life. Don’t let your entire identity be wrapped up in your career. I love fashion, music, and film but I have other sides to me. Spend time with the people who’ve always been close to you. Don’t shut them out. They help fuel your creativity and keep you grounded.
- Lastly, get good sleep. Sleep is so important. I change time zones a lot and sometimes for a short period of time and it really affects me. I get so overtired sometimes I can’t sleep. Unwind in whatever way works for you — talk to someone, hug someone, listen to calming music, smell something relaxing. I prefer natural methods, so I try to do it without medication. But however you do it, just make sure you get rest.
Yitzi: Can you share with our readers a few of the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Natasha: Oh yeah, self-care. I like to move my body. I’ll either go for a run — I love that. It always gets my heart rate up. I love running outdoors. That would be one. I like to do body-weight exercises, like Pilates or calisthenics. I really enjoy that. Some other things I do for self-care would probably be the occasional face and hair mask at home, something soothing like that. I’ll go get a manicure or pedicure. I also like to spend time outdoors, so I’ll go to the beach or go on a hike. Those are things that really replenish my spirit.
Yitzi: So, Natasha, because of your great work and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Natasha: Oh God, that’s a big question. I would just say, enjoy the ride. Enjoy the ride and make it lighthearted and fun. A lot of the time, you’ll look back and realize all those things you stressed about were trivial. I think there are a few monumental experiences in most people’s lives, and all that stuff in between… just don’t bog yourself down. I know a lot of people today want everything right away and everything is at your disposal. I mean, I know for myself, I grew up with very humble beginnings. We weren’t lacking in anything, but we also didn’t take regular vacations. I never had designer clothes or all these things you’d think matter. And it’s okay, is what I’m saying. So just keep it fun in life. Don’t stress about what you don’t have. Focus on what you do have. That would be my message — while enjoying the ride.
Yitzi: Natasha, how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they watch your shows, listen to or buy your music? How can they support you in any possible way?
Natasha: You can go to my website, natashadfiore.com. You can find me on Instagram — just search me by name, spelled NATASHA, and my last name is DI FIORE. I’m also on Facebook and YouTube. I post videos on YouTube about my designs, my company, how I came up with my brand name and logo. There’s a story behind it — it’s a flower growing out of a leaking sack, and it’s a combination of my family names. I talk about things like that, and I also will share future designs. I’ll be posting music videos. In addition to “Bigger,” I’ll be putting up future ones too.
You can also buy my t-shirt, The Angel Army T. It’s $35 with free shipping in the contiguous United States, and it’s sent with much love and care. Follow me for show updates — especially if you’re in the Atlanta area or if we start touring. I’ll be posting those dates on my website and social media as well.
Come visit my website because that’s where I share really personal things. You can learn more about me there. I’ll also be posting content on a page I want to develop about all the things that I think are cool. You’ll learn more about my personality and what interests me. I really want people to know me, and that’s how I plan to show it.
Yitzi: Natasha, it’s been so nice catching up with you. I wish you continued success, good health, and blessings. And I hope we can do this again next year and not wait another ten years.
Natasha: Yes, I would like that.
Natasha Di Fiore on the Angel Army T, Painted Feather and Why She Sees Art as a Spiritual Mission was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.