American Sign Language interpreter Justina Miles is gaining a fan base after performing with Sheryl Lee Ralph and Rihanna during the Super Bowl LVII halftime show. With so many inquiring about the 20-year-old, here’s what you should know about her.
Her Super Bowl performance made history.
Miles became the first female deaf ASL interpreter to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show.
“I value the opportunity to make it possible for all deaf people to enjoy these songs, and not have them miss out on the full Super Bowl experience,” she told CNBC.
View this post on Instagram
She attends an HBCU.
When Miles isn’t tending to crowds and performing alongside superstars, the 20-year-old attends Bowie State University, where she is enrolled in the nursing program.
@phillyqt12 This Side 🎢 @EARTHGANG #fyp ♬ original sound – 💋QTJ💋
She went viral on TikTok in 2020.
In 2020, Miles participated in the TikTok #crushonyouchallenge where she performed a verse from Lil’ Kim’s “Crush on You” music video. Miles uses the interactive app to educate and reach other hearing people by participating in TikTok challenges and posting fun, relatable videos for her viewers.
@phillyqt12 like what does being deaf look like?😂 #fyp #fypシ #deaf #asl #hotel #hotellawsy ♬ Hotel – Lawsy
Her mother is also deaf.
The Philadelphia native was raised by her mom, who is deaf and has a family mixed with hearing and non-hearing people.
Her mother gave her the best preperformance advice as she headed on stage.
“She already loves me, and if I am my Philly Black Deaf self, everything would be amazing,” Miles told CNBC.
View this post on Instagram
Participated in the 2021-2022 Deaflympics
Miles joined the USA team to participate in Brazil at the 2021-2022 Deaflympics, leaving with a silver medal as part of the 4×100 women’s track relay team.
She was valedictorian
Miles was the valedictorian at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C.
She has other hobbies outside of ASL interpreting.
Miles made a get-to-know-me video on TikTok telling her viewers a few facts about her while signing. One fun fact was she loves to dance and go jogging.
@blabbertok Justina Miles before she became famous for #justinamiles #superbowllvii #superbowllvii2023 #beforeshewasfamous ♬ Snowfall – brooke🫀
During a press conference on Feb. 9, Miles called the experience empowering for her and the millions of Black deaf viewers.
View this post on Instagram
“It’s an important moment not only for me to share this experience with the whole world,” she said, “but to really bring that empowerment to millions and millions of Black deaf people all over the country who’ve never really seen that before. I feel that is truly lifting every voice, even my voice.”
@phillyqt12 i’ll b your naughty girl;) #fypシ #asl ♬ original sound – 💋QTJ💋
“I value the opportunity to make it possible for all deaf people to enjoy these songs, and not have them miss out on the full Super Bowl experience,” Miles continued.
It’s beautiful to see representation on live TV, and it’s even more fulfilling to witness history being made. Congratulations to Miles on killing her Super Bowl performance!
