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At just 19 years old, Eja Hutchinson is stepping into a dream she has been quietly chasing for years.
A barista at Dia De Las Baristas and a proud South Valley native, Eja is preparing to leave Albuquerque for a 90-day modeling contract in Guangzhou, China, a leap that feels both surreal and well-earned.
A Name Meant to Stand Out
Hi everyone, my name is Eja Hutchinson. I am 19 years old and born and raised in the South Valley of Albuquerque. Her name alone carries intention. It is inspired by the Aja by Steely Dan, but with a twist. Her dad chose to spell it with an E instead of an A, wanting something different. I think it suits me well, she says. I can be like Beyoncé. When people say my name, you never have to ask which one. From the beginning, Eja was meant to be singular.
Chasing the Limelight
Eja has always known she wanted to be in the spotlight. She just did not know how to get there. Between the ages of 14 and 17, she applied to agencies using self-timer photos taken in her living room. They were not perfect, but they were proof of persistence.
I realized I could not sing or dance, and acting felt like a stretch, she says with a laugh. Modeling seemed like the most realistic avenue. At 18, she decided to take it seriously. By January 2025, she committed fully to quickly discovering how small the local modeling ceiling could feel. Discouragement set in, but she did not quit.
Right Place Right Time
In August 2025, a modeling scout posted an open call online asking for selfies to share. Eja sent in a photo she felt confident about. The next morning, she woke up to a message from an agent.
From there, everything moved fast. She signed, built a strong relationship with her agent, and worked hard to strengthen her portfolio. Though she assumed international modeling was years away, her agent submitted her to an agency in China in late December or early January. Within four weeks, she had a meeting, received interest, and signed a 90-day contract.
It happened so quick, she says. So much of it was right place, right time, but also being ready.
Starting Fresh in Guangzhou
For Eja, Guangzhou represents more than just modeling. It represents reinvention. I am excited to live somewhere no one knows me, where Eja has never been, she says. It is a time to figure out who I am outside of what I have always been or what people told me I was.
She looks forward to experiencing everyday cultural differences, living without a rigid routine, and adapting to what she calls a workaholic society. Above all else, she is excited for the food.
The Reality Behind the Glamour
When she signed her contract, she was in shock. I am very out of sight, out of mind, she explains. Unless I am actively doing something, it does not feel real.
Even with departure just weeks away, the magnitude of the moment has not fully hit her.
She is also quick to challenge common misconceptions about international modeling. Each market is different. Many agencies look for everyday, relatable faces. While travel and housing may be covered upfront, models repay those costs through bookings, meaning income depends on how much work you land and how much you can physically and mentally handle.
For me, I did not realize how busy I would be, how much it would cost, how much I would be paid, or what an agency would actually do for a girl from New Mexico. It is not just about beauty. It is about endurance.
Confidence Brewed at Dia De Las Baristas
Before she boards a plane to China, much of Eja’s growth has happened behind the counter at Dia De Las Baristas. She intentionally chose the job to confront her confidence issues.
I have never struggled with thinking I was good-looking, she says. It was accepting it and being scared to embrace it.
Surrounded by supportive coworkers who quickly correct any negative self-talk, she began reframing her mindset. One comment from a coworker stayed with her. How selfish is it to worry about what my body looks like when it does so much for me and I never thank it?
Now, she says it freely. I am good-looking, and I know it. Balancing two jobs, often working from 6 am to 8 or 10 pm, has also prepared her for the long 10 to 12-hour days common in the Chinese modeling industry.
Nerves, Pride, and Possibility
Despite the excitement, Eja admits she is nervous. She wonders whether she will be received the same in person as she was online. She worries about being far from home and whether she is mentally prepared for the shift.
But she is also proud. Proud that she pursued something that once felt unattainable. Proud that she did not let discouragement define her.
Saying Yes
When asked what advice she has for other young creatives, baristas, or locals dreaming of something bigger, her message is simple. Say yes. Your hometown will always be here.
Growth only happens in discomfort, she believes. If you choose comfort over passion, you risk living with regret. If this is truly the one and only life we are given, why not take the opportunity that could turn your dreams into reality?
The worst that can happen if you say yes is you land back where you are now. For Eja Hutchinson, that is not failure. It is freedom.
Article By ABQLive Staff
Photos Courtesy of Jessica Maribal and Erik Tranburg
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