Justina Taylor Miles (born September 12, 2002) is a Deaflympics athlete and American Sign Language (ASL) performer. In 2023 she became the first Deaf woman to perform American Sign Language at the Super Bowl pre-game and halftime shows.
Justina Miles | |
|---|---|
| Born | Justina Taylor Miles September 12, 2002 |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Known for | Super Bowl LVII halftime show |
Early life
editJustina Miles is from Philadelphia. She graduated from the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington D.C. She is attending Bowie State University studying nursing.
Career
editSport
editMiles was part of Team USA at the 2021 Summer Deaflympics (held May 2022) in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, where she received a silver medal for 4x100m women's relay. She also competed in the 100m and 200m events.[1][2][3]
Deaf Performer
editMiles's performance in ASL of Lil' Kim's "Crush on You" went viral on TikTok in 2020.[4] She has signed for various live music events, such as the Super Bowl LVII halftime show and pre-show in 2023.[1] Her performance at the halftime show was the first ever by a Black Deaf woman and went viral with millions of views on social media.[5][6][7]
Awards
editIn November 2023, Miles was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "National Association of the Deaf - NAD". www.nad.org. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Caxias do Sul 2022 - USA". www.deaflympics.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Justina Taylor MILES". www.deaflympics.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Layla A. (May 7, 2020). "Deaf Philly teen's TikTok dance challenge goes viral, posted by Lil' Kim". Billy Penn at WHYY. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Lane, Barnaby. "Rihanna's sign language interpreter stole the show at Super Bowl LVII. Here's everything you need to know about Justina Miles". Insider. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Meet Justina Miles, Who Made History With ASL Performance During Rihanna's Super Bowl Halftime Show". www.yahoo.com. February 13, 2023. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ Liu, Jennifer (February 12, 2023). "Meet Justina Miles, Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show ASL performer". CNBC. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. November 23, 2023. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
