Becoming A Mermaid
I didn’t know I was a mermaid until I was an adult.
One day when I was hanging out at the beach jumping waves, I was knocked underwater by a huge wave. When I get knocked over, I try to stay calm and get back on my feet. I couldn’t send the message from my brain to my legs to stand up for some reason. I started to panic until I heard the most beautiful singing. I couldn’t stop myself from looking where the sound was coming from. It looked like mermaids! I was so confused because I couldn’t see underwater, and I didn’t believe mermaids were real.
I tried again to stand, and I felt my body move like a wave in an undulation. I had grown a mermaid tail! How could this be? I swam up to the surface and started coughing. I was so confused. Everyone at the beach was acting normal. They only saw the top of me, so they had no clue about my transformation. I was a mermaid, and no one noticed.
Once I caught my breath, I dove back under to find the mermaids I had seen before. It was so cool, I could see underwater! Way out I could see the other mermaids. I tried to swim to them, but I couldn’t keep up. I tried to talk to them, but I didn’t yet know the language.
Since that day, I’ve learned more about myself, my family history, and how I became a mermaid. I’ve made lots of awesome merfriends and have started modeling as a mermaid to bring joy to the land folk.
Formal Biography Below
Biography
Chè Monique is a dynamic force in the world of performance, based in the DC area. As a celebrated mermaid performer, model, and MERtivational speaker, Chè has captured the hearts of many through her appearances on Netflix’s ‘MerPeople,’ NBC, 60 Second Docs, and the UK’s Channel 4, among others.
Realizing a lifelong dream of becoming a mermaid, Chè uses her enchanting persona to break barriers and spread messages of body positivity. Her high-glam, exuberant images challenge stereotypes and inspire audiences to believe that anything is possible.
Chè Monique is the visionary founder of the Society of Fat Mermaids, a size-inclusive clothing line and community that celebrates bodies of all sizes. As a leader in the mermaid community, Chè promotes education and inclusivity through various initiatives. She organizes panel discussions online and at mermaid conventions, advises the Mermaid at Any Age community, and spearheads online movements like #MerfolkForBlackLives. The Society of Fat Mermaids platform is a testament to her commitment to inclusivity and celebration.
With a degree in Women’s Studies from Temple University, Chè brings a deep understanding of gender, identity, and inclusivity to her work. She is also a public speaking instructor for the Northern VA nonprofit, HEARD, where she empowers others to find and use their voices effectively.
With a decade of experience in burlesque performance and production, Chè is the founder of Washington DC’s Chocolate City Burlesque and Cabaret, a groundbreaking troupe that highlighted performers of color. Her extensive background in burlesque adds a unique dimension to her mermaid persona, blending sultry elegance with bold activism.
Education and water safety are at the heart of Chè’s mission. She is developing an online learning platform called School for Fish to share her knowledge and passion for the aquatic arts. Chè earned the NAUI Mermaid Instructor credential and partners with the Rising Tide Effect to advocate for water safety.
As a dynamic speaker available for various events, Chè’s work continues to inspire and empower, reminding the world that everyone deserves to be celebrated, no matter their size.
Mermaid Chè Monique 