Kadja Manuel chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about representing Pennsylvania in the 2025 Mr. America Global competition.
How was your experience in the 2025 Mr. America Global competition?
The experience has been nothing short of a dream. I’m a kid from the Northeast with humble beginnings, and being part of this competition to represent the Commonwealth has been incredible.
The platform gave me a voice to speak on issues that matter to me, with a focus on food scarcity as my year-long passion project.
My team and I were able to support local and statewide nonprofits, including Howie’s House/CHOP Philly House and Philly Fight, making a real difference in our communities.
How did it feel to represent Pennsylvania in the competition?
Representing Pennsylvania was a dream come true. It mattered to me to show every man that I was representing them. With my intersecting identities; as a military veteran, a candidate for elected office, an LGBTQ community member, and a human rights advocate—it felt especially meaningful.
To me, Mr. America Global embodies a Renaissance man: someone who isn’t defined by a single identity but who can represent men from all corners of the country. I believe the judges saw that and I’m grateful for how they recognized it.
How was the brotherhood with the other guys?
The brotherhood was nothing short of amazing. We supported each other well before we even met, and that support continues daily. It’s rare to find real friendship and genuine support in adulthood, especially among men.
We’ve built a true brotherhood…one that shows up for each other in real time, on and off the stage.
What was it like working with Tony Smith, Julio Tatis, and Riley Hedstrom?
Working with Tony and Julio has been outstanding. They’re Miss Universe franchise holders. I mean they’re utmost professionals. They entrusted us to bring their vision to life, and we leaned on their guidance every step of the way.
Together, we created something historic for the Mr. America Global Class of 2025. I’ll be there for them whenever they need me.
We didn’t have to spend a dime form the day we arrived either. They set the bar for male pageantry in my opinion. Everything was taken care of from lodging, food, transportation, you name it.
Riley was another pillar of support—there for each of us whenever we needed advice or a check-in, no matter the time of day. His commitment made a real difference.
What motivates you each day?
I’m naturally competitive and disciplined. That can make me hard on myself, but I see it as fuel to improve. After the main stage, I immediately focused on the areas I felt I could strengthen.
Setting clear goals, putting in the work, and striving to be better than yesterday keeps me going—alongside waking up each day to do what I love for the people I love.
What do your plans for the future include?
Right now, I’m focused on finishing a memoir and supporting statewide charities. I’ve signed up for a charity boxing event called Haymackers for Hope, training for four months and raising at least $10,000 to support cancer research. I’m also developing a podcast with a tight 12-week pre-production plan, collaborating with partners and investors.
The show will explore career tactics for Millennials and Gen Z professionals, and discuss organizing strategies for those who want to stand up and make a change in their communities.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is a mindset and it’s one that each person defines for themselves. It means building lasting generational wealth, being able to advocate for my community as those before me did, and waking up each day to take care of my family while doing what I love.
It won’t be easy, and there will be hurdles, but enjoying my work and working with people I respect to support those I love—that’s what success looks like.
What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?
Thank you for your incredible support. 2026 is shaping up to be a great year, and I’ve got a lot of projects in the works. I’d love your feedback and participation as I roll these out. To my Mr. America Global family,
I’m excited for what 2026 holds and grateful to be part of MAG—using their platform to raise awareness for issues that matter to me. Thanks for all of the support!
To learn more about Kadja Manuel, follow him on Instagram.
