Today we’d like to introduce you to Merlyssa The Fantasea Of Texas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Finding me in the sea —
I grew up a tiny Texas town where Friday night football and hunting season reign supreme. I was a born entertainer without any outlets to expose or grow my talents. Because of this, I would entertain and perform however I could in my own little bubble, in my own little world. The film ‘Free Willy’ sparked an interest in whales which quickly became an intense obsession. From childhood to high school, I was fixated on becoming a whale trainer, a marine biologist, or a country music star. My fascination for the ocean and its creatures, along with singing and performing, left me with big dreams. Then, and for a long time after, those big dreams appeared drastically different in tone, and featured aspirations that no one understood, including myself.
Little did I know that one day I would hit rock bottom with only one direction to go. In May of 2023, after many lows and woes of adulthood, trials and tribulations that took me off course, and brutal mental health challenges that almost destroyed me, ..while at rock bottom.. I went up. Up to the surface of the water where all of those dreams and aspirations would finally come full circle.
Merlyssa, the Fantasea of Texas, came to fruition out in the waters of Mustang Island on the Texas coast. The same waters that carried me when and where the light couldn’t. I took my adoration for and knowledge of the ocean, and combined it with my seasoned background in performing, entertainment, professional media, makeup artistry, and fashion to create a character, look, and brand all my own. I have spent years curating Merlyssa to embody and represent characteristics and features of a “real” mermaid from the Texas coast for all ages. Character integrity and quality has always been key, and is still the highest priority to me.
I have been a featured mermaid at an aquarium where I had the opportunity to further my marine studies and knowledge. As a “tank mermaid”, I would greet, entertain, perform, and educate the aquarium guests on the tropical fish, stingrays, skates, sharks, and other marine creatures that I would swim gracefully beside.
I am extensively involved with marine life conservation and coastal preservation for the Texas coast through many organizations, such as “Up2UTexas”. I bring the sea with me, including props, treasures, and trinkets a plenty. Because everything I have and use is all ethically sourced, I offer “Shell & Tell”. It is a fun and informative experience for all ages where I showcase and educate others on what is native to our coastline while allowing them to see, touch, and be informed up close and personal! Everything I wear and make is completely handmade, customized, detailed, and feature only seashells and beach treasures found on the Texas coast. From one of a kind mermaid crowns to medical-grade silicone mermaid tails, I can make anything for anyone of any age.
I consider my life, work, and brand as Merlyssa nothing less than full-production. From my realistic and customized head-to-tail look, to my personality and mannerisms, to effortlessly engaging and executing the real mermaid that has existed in me all this time. Whether it’s providing the ultimate magic for a birthday shell-ebration, cautiously interacting with sea life while educating others, or providing an expertly curated experience of mermaid tails and tales, I can assure you that once you sea you will believe..
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I can say without a doubt that, no, the roads haven’t always been smooth. Some roads were badly broken, some were flat out dysfunctional, and others led me so far off course that my being “lost” was an understatement.
Circumstantial factors, trauma, painful moments, toxic relationships, and debilitating mental health issues were also major contributors to me failing, or knocking me off the ladder many, many times.
My actual blood, sweat, tears, and literal last dollar went into this brand and business because I always knew what would come of it. What it could be. What it could offer. I truly lost everything when I finally found my everything.
I would do it all again, because, after all, “a smooth sea never made a skilled mermaid”.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am Merlyssa, a professional mermaid, marine specialist, aquatic performer, and designer based out of Austin and Port Aransas, Texas.
‘Fantasea by Merlyssa’ caters to my knowledge of and adoration for the ocean, and showcases my background as a seasoned performer, entertainer, character trainer, makeup artist, and stylist. I am extensively involved with coastal and marine life conservation, especially here on the Texas coast, and with different groups and organizations.
I ethically source seashells and beach treasures native to Texas which I use as fun and informative tools for others, as well as in crafting one of a kind custom pieces, attire, accessories and props. I design and create realistic mermaid tails similar to my own, which is 37 pounds of pure medical grade, platinum silicone that looks and feels as real as possible.
Character integrity has always been of the highest importance to me, as I strive to bring realism rather than donning a red wig and poorly designed costume from Party City. My unique character is completely full-production from the custom and realistic look, to my mannerisms, and to what I can offer. I am able to be in any body of water, next to water, or “land-locked” in a spot where I can still be just as real and interactive as I am in water. I handle and provide everything that is wanted and needed without requiring assistance or special treatment. I interact and engage with others by staying in character entirely and creating moments that I like to call mermazing!
The mermaiding industry is vast and deep (no pun intended) with states such as Florida and California saturated with mermaids and mermen. However, even with the size of and obsession for Texas being what it is, there isn’t a “main” mermaid of quality or high caliber representing this great state. After perfecting my brand and craft these past couple of years, the goal is to officially obtain and be THE mermaid of Texas as Merlyssa ~ the Fantasea of Texas!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
“She was a wild ocean child..”
Between growing up and experiencing adulthood, everything I loved, showed interest in, and/or dabbled in would eventually come full circle. I was “mer-made” to be who and what I am!
Growing up, lots of bright blue, whale-themed birthday cakes and many unintentional encounters with wild stingrays encompassed a deep obsession of and adoration for the sea and its creatures. Family, friends, and past teachers would tell you that I would grow up to become a marine biologist or a whale trainer at Sea World. After all, my childhood nickname was “whale girl”, and many school yearbooks of mine reflect this.
I was a natural-born performer with an affinity for creating whatever look or idea my imagination wanted any particular day. One day I would pick and impersonate a beloved member of the Spice Girls complete with a British accent, and the next I would transform into my own made-up character complete with a dramatic fashion statement.
I was 8 years old in 1996 when LeAnn Rimes hit the country music scene with her debut song ‘Blue’, which I somehow could mimic vocally. Although a love for singing and performing transpired, my small hometown offered little to no opportunity for training or showcasing any type of talents. My bedroom, and sometimes the living rooms of family and friends, was my stage. Creating my own bubble and sharing it was my outlet.
Magic has no limits, nor does it judge. It knows no age, gender, or background. I knew that as a child because of what it did to and for me. From kids to adults and girls to boys, as Merlyssa, I offer something for everyone. I am able to feature everything I have ever done or learned, especially the things from those childhood bubbles and outlets, that were to be the catalyst for my entire life!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetexasmermaid.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themermaidoftexas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/176rK7AXSw/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thetexasmermaid
