It’s every little girl’s dream.
That’s how 10-year-old Columbus native Kinley Shoemaker described her experience as the cover girl for the summer 2015 special edition of American Girl magazine.
“My mind was blown (when I was selected),” Kinley said.
Performing has always been part of Kinley’s personality, her mother, Amie Shoemaker, said. When she was only 4 years old, Kinley began a career in musical theater.
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“I always knew she had something special,” Shoemaker said.
After sending her daughter’s photos to various agents across the country, Kinley signed with three different talent agencies, including one in Chicago, where the American Girl headquarters are located.
Since then, Kinley has appeared in summer and Christmas American Girl catalogs, as well as being featured in the August 2015 edition of the magazine and on the summer 2015 cover.
“It’s fun because all these people see you all around the country,” Kinley said. “Somebody told me, ‘I saw you on a magazine in Florida.’”
When she’s not modeling or performing in a theater production, Kinley also appears in commercials and does voice-over work. She’s even been featured in a commercial for Subway and a promotion for the Girl Scouts.
“I love them all,” Kinley said. “I don’t know if I have a favorite.”
But when she’s not working, Kinley is just a regular student at L.C. Schmitt Elementary School in Columbus. She started her first day of fifth grade Monday.
Because she’s a Columbus native, Shoemaker said Kinley tries to give back to the community she’s growing up in.
In early July, she made an appearance at the Columbus Parks and Recreation American Girl Doll Fun camp, where she posed for pictures with campers.
And as she gets older, Kinley doesn’t plan on ducking out of the spotlight.
Right now, she plans on using her performance skills to become a TV journalist and meteorologist, Shoemaker said.
But in the meantime, Kinley said she’s going to keep working and doing what she loves.
“I love to watch her have a good time,” Shoemaker said.
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American Girl Everyday Fun summer issue and American Girl July/August issue
- Available at Target in Columbus
- $9.95 for just the summer issue
- $5.95 for just the July/August issue
- $12 for the combo
- To subscribe: americangirl.com/shop/magazine/subscribe
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