From Criminology to Catwalk: Marissa DuBois' Unconventional Journey
Marissa DuBois has become one of the most recognizable faces in the American modeling scene, but her path to fashion fame was anything but conventional. The 30-year-old Miami native initially pursued a career in criminology before making a dramatic pivot to social media influencing and runway modeling.
Born on March 31, 1995, in Miami, Florida, Marissa completed her Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Florida State University in 2016. She even worked as a detective during her senior internship before realizing that law enforcement wasn't her true calling.
The Viral Moment That Changed Everything
Marissa's big break came in July 2023 when a video of her walking the runway at Fort Lauderdale Fashion Week went viral on X (formerly Twitter). The clip featured her wearing a stunning green crossover neckline dress that captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
This viral moment propelled her career forward, leading to appearances at prestigious fashion events including Miami Swim Week. Her commanding presence on the catwalk, standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall, has made her a favorite among fashion designers and event organizers.
Building a Social Media Empire
Beyond the runway, Marissa has built an impressive digital presence across multiple platforms. On Instagram, where she goes by @realitywithriss, she has amassed over one million followers who enjoy her fashion, fitness, and travel content.
Her YouTube channel, created on June 15, 2018, has grown to over 428,000 subscribers where she shares vlogs, runway walk clips, try-on hauls, and travel videos. TikTok has also been a significant platform for her growth, with 1.1 million followers engaging with her content.
When she reached the one million follower milestone on Instagram, Marissa expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters: "Smooches to 1 million of my friends... It's so surreal that I hit this major milestone on Thanksgiving! It's taken me a bit of time to even process this and come up with the words of thanks... I just want to say THANK YOU. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
Professional Collaborations and Brand Partnerships
Marissa's influence extends beyond social media metrics. She has worked with major fashion brands including PrettyLittleThing, Fashion Nova, and Halara, establishing herself as a credible voice in the fashion industry.
Her professional journey includes roles in affiliate marketing at Global Affiliate Zone from March 2017 to June 2019, followed by work as a market partner at Monat Global from 2018 to 2020. She later served as a marketing specialist at Virtual Marketing 360 before establishing her own company, Reality with Riss LLC.
Currently residing in Miami, Florida, the blonde-haired, brown-eyed model maintains an active lifestyle and often shares her fitness journey with followers. She also operates a second Instagram account dedicated to health and wellness that has attracted 119,000 followers.
Despite her public profile, Marissa keeps her personal life private and is reportedly single as of 2025. She continues to focus on growing her brand while maintaining the philosophy that everything in life should be done in moderation, including food.
With her unique background in criminology and her current success in the competitive world of fashion and social media influencing, Marissa DuBois represents the modern multi-hyphenate professional who isn't afraid to pivot careers in pursuit of her passions.
