Henry Mills Is Finding His Place in the New York Mix
At 16, Henry is finding his footing in New York, where a mixed heritage and creative upbringing shape how he sees the city and himself
- Barbadian, Irish, and Native American, Henry Mills says his heritage shapes his perspective, personal style, and the way people connect with him.
- At 16, the model and actor is finding creative freedom in the city’s diversity, drawing on an artistic family background and an instinct to explore.
A little bit of everything
At 16, Henry Mills is already getting to grips with one of New York’s great traditions: becoming whoever you fancy being.
The Barbadian, Irish, and Native American model and actor has grown up between cultures, surrounded by the arts, and now finds himself in a city where having several sides to your identity is hardly cause for a raised eyebrow. In New York, it’s practically a requirement.
For Henry, being mixed has never been a footnote to his identity. It has shaped the way he sees people, understands the world, and carries himself through the city. “It’s shaped my whole life,” he says, describing the experience of being connected to different communities and the perspectives that come with them.
He has grown up understanding that people can look at the same thing and see something completely different, a lesson that becomes difficult to ignore in a city populated by more than eight million people with their own ideas about practically everything.
No box required
New York has given Henry somewhere to put all of that perspective to work. Its diversity means he feels like the odd one out. There’s no single neighborhood he has to claim, no particular corner of the city that needs to be designated as home. Instead, he finds familiarity in the city’s constant collision of backgrounds.
“Everywhere I look there is someone of different heritage, background, or color. Which is the beauty of NYC, a melting pot of all.”
And perhaps that’s why the city suits him. New York has never been particularly interested in asking people to be one thing at a time. The city has room for the actor and the model, the traditionalist and the experimenter, the person who knows exactly where they are going and the person who has wandered onto the wrong train but decided to see where it ends up.
Henry’s still figuring out which category he belongs to. Happily, he doesn’t seem particularly concerned about choosing one.
Curiosity suits him
In modeling, his mixed heritage has become part of the curiosity surrounding him. His appearance naturally invites questions, from the origins of his curly hair and freckles to his skin tone and the combination of features inherited from different sides of his family.
He says that being biracial creates a “unique quality and look”, which can lead to a deeper sense of connection with people around him.
Sometimes that connection comes from other models who recognize something familiar in his background. Other times it is simply someone asking a question. Either way, Henry sees curiosity as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
“I think the unique aspects of being biracial adds interest, whether from the modeling industry, or just people in general. It adds a level of connection and curiosity.”
Born into the arts
Henry has also been surrounded by creativity since childhood. His father is an actor, his brother is a ballet dancer, and the arts have always been part of the family landscape. He was encouraged to explore what he genuinely loved rather than dutifully following whatever path had already been mapped out for him.
“I’ve always been pushed to do what I love, not what the world tells me I should love.”
It’s a useful philosophy for anyone trying to make a career in fashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary and entertainment, where there is no shortage of people ready to tell you what is marketable, what is fashionable, and, occasionally, what you ought to be doing with your hair.
Henry’s advice to other young biracial people starting out in the city follows the same logic. Do not arrive believing you already know exactly who you are supposed to be. Come open to the possibility that the city might surprise you.
“Come to NYC as a blank page. Explore things you have never done before, and say yes to as much as possible. Dream big, and have fun.”
It’s hard to argue with that. Especially in New York, where saying yes can mean anything from a last-minute casting to a new friendship to ending up three boroughs away because someone said they knew a brilliant place for dinner.
The city’s still very much a work in progress. So is he. His mixed heritage gives him one way of understanding the world; his creative upbringing gives him another; New York, with its endless supply of people and possibilites gives him the space to test both.
At 16, there’s no need to have the finished version of yourself. In New York, the unfinished version is usually more interesting anyway.
As seen in the pages of VMAN SEA 06: now available for purchase!
Photography Andrew Perkins
FashionFashionThe art and industry of designing, producing, and styling clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty trends. It reflects cultural influences, personal expression, and evolving styles across seasons and markets.Go to Fashion Glossary Victor Lopez
Creative direction and production Lorenz Namalata of Fatbrain Collective
Editor Dayne Aduna
Hair Mitsuru Aota
Grooming Seiya Iibuchi, using MAC Cosmetics
Fashion assistant Justin Guevarra
Production assistant Jen Kang
Model Henry Mills
Frequently Asked Questions
Henry Mills is a 16-year-old Barbadian, Irish, and Native American model and actor based in New York. He is also part of a creative family, with a father who is an actor and a brother who is a ballet dancer.
Henry says his Barbadian, Irish, and Native American heritage has shaped his perspective, personality, confidence, and personal style. He also feels it creates curiosity and connection with people in the modeling industry.
Henry feels at home throughout New York because of the city’s diversity and mix of cultures and backgrounds. He says seeing people of different heritage, backgrounds, and colors is part of what makes NYC special to him.
Henry grew up in an artistic family and was encouraged to pursue what he genuinely loves. His father is an actor, and his brother is a ballet dancer, giving him an early connection to acting, performance, and creativity.
Henry encourages young people to arrive with an open mind, explore unfamiliar experiences, and say yes to new opportunities. His advice is to “dream big, and have fun” while figuring out who you want to become.
