Mikaela Ian Pearman is a marketing/communications specialist, writer, blogger and foodie. She is the face of Bermuda Skyport and spends her free time pursuing her passion of helping black millennials escape the everyday by sharing thought-provoking pop culture commentary on www.mikaelaian.com. Mikaela is a media expert known for her on camera work and can be found writing food and event reviews throughout the year in Bermuda and overseas. She is wife to Jason and mom to Amari and Xavi.
1. What is your favourite Bermudian tradition?
Cup Match for sure! Not only is it a celebration of the emancipation of slavery in Bermuda, but it is truly Bermuda at its best in my opinion. The comradery, the banter, the food, the culture, the music, the game – Cup Match to me is everything that makes Bermuda amazing smushed into two days.
2. Where is the best place for a fish sandwich?
Oh gosh, you’re gonna get me in trouble!! There are soo many places for a bomb AF fish sandwich, but my fave is Café Ole at Crystal Caves. Stefano, the owner, always has fresh fish and he gets his raisin bread from Zaki’s Bakery. It’s sublime!
3. What’s the most Instagram-worthy place in Bermuda?
Tobacco Bay is amazing for IG shots because of the awesome rock formations, the clear water and then the background as well. But seriously, anywhere in Bermuda. The streets in St. George’s also have the wow factor for IG.
4. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion. I really try hard to live life out loud and just do what I want when I want. I figure the worst that can happen is someone says no.
5. What do you like most about yourself?
Physically, my smile. I also love my ability to execute when I decide to do something.
6. What do you like least about yourself?
My indecisiveness and when I get in my own way.
7. What keeps you up at night?
Nothing- I sleep VERY well!
8. What’s your favourite thing to do on Sunday?
I love a lazy brunch or lunch with rosé or champagne – depends on my mood. In the summer, I enjoy lazing on the beach. In the colder months, I enjoy reading on the couch with a glass of red.
9. What’s your favourite beach?
Elbow Beach by far. There isn’t a better beach.
10. What was your first job ever?
Working at my mom’s summer day camp when I was 11 or 12. I remember spending most of the day running around, frolicking in the water, enjoying super sweet snowballs and just having such a good time.
11. Who was/is the most influential person in your life?
My mom for sure. She has always supported me and pushed me to be the best Mikaela. She also sacrificed tremendously to give me the best education she could and is the reason why I’m the person I am today. I couldn’t have done half the things I’ve done without her support.
12. What’s in your wallet right now?
I actually don’t use a wallet – too bulky. I’m super minimal.
13. Do you ever get island fever?
Weirdly, no. Having grown up in the US, I have a deep appreciation for Bermuda. I used to countdown to the days when I would be able to return home. I think spending so much time away has allowed me to see Bermuda in a different light than Bermudians who have never lived anywhere else. Although, I do love to catch a flight!
14. Loquat or Bermuda banana?
So I don’t like banana at all and I’m super weird about fruit. While I won’t eat a loquat, I used to love my Aunt Libby’s loquat liqueur and loquat chutney.
15. St George’s or Somerset?
Somerset – I don’t know her. The only team I acknowledge wears blue and blue.
16. Cricket or football?
Both – my family has always played cricket and my great-grandfather secured the property for St. George’s Cricket Club back in the day. But, I love football and my household bleeds red for Manchester United. My oldest son plays both, so I watch both.
17. What are you reading right now?
I’m listening to the audio version of Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cardone. But before that, the last physical book I read was Trevor Noah’s “Born A Crime”, which I highly recommend.
18. What podcast are you listening to right now?
Freedom Slay Podcast with Gaynete Jones. She just interviewed Ty Hunter aka Beyoncé’s stylist!
19. What is your guilty pleasure?
Amazing chocolate chip cookies. It’s rare to buy one that I like, so I tend to make them at home with dark chocolate chunks and a sprinkle of sea salt right before they hit the oven.
