Occupation: CEO of Paint and Jam, LLC; Mrs. Louisiana America 2024–25; and homemaker
Husband: Mark, Sr.
Child: Mark Anthony, 16; Aiden Michael, 13; and A’mar Auer, 3
Hobbies: Painting, going to the gym and working out, and dancing
Shamerick Simoneaux wears many hats—CEO, artist, pageant queen, and mom. As the reigning Mrs. Louisiana America, she balances family life with running Paint and Jam, a mobile painting party business that blends creativity, music, and community. She credits her village with helping her maintain her super mom status. With faith at the center of her journey, Shamerick is passionate about inspiring others to embrace their talents, follow their dreams, and create joyful moments.
AS A MOTHER, ENTREPRENEUR, AND ARTIST, HOW DO YOU FIND BALANCE BETWEEN ALL YOUR PASSIONS?
SHAMERICK: Balance starts with your village. I find balance, because sometimes I need to take a nap, take a break, and get away, and if my village wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be able to do it. It’s not just a me thing, but in order to get that me time, so that I can jump back into my job of cooking and cleaning and all the things, I would have to say my village, and that consists of my sisters, my mother, my in-laws, and my husband. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be the super mom that I am.
HOW HAS FAITH PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR JOURNEY?
SHAMERICK: I have an attitude that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So with that, it’s just because of him that I’m able to do all the things that I’m doing.
WHAT VALUES DO YOU HOPE TO INSTILL IN YOUR SONS AS THEY GROW UP?
SHAMERICK: Always have faith. Always allow God to lead you. I’m raising boys so someday they’re going to aspire to be leaders, but I want them to know that it’s not about what they know and what they can do, but by God’s way, by letting God lead them. They’ve seen me through everything that I’m going through with the pageant, with my business; they watch their grandmother and their dad, and we all pitch in to help make this life that we have, and we’re very blessed. So I just hope that they see that and know God is the leader.
IF YOUR SONS DESCRIBED YOU, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
SHAMERICK: My mother is super fun, very silly, loves to dance, and very positive.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE PAINT AND JAM EVENT?
SHAMERICK: When we did an event to give back to kids, that was the most rewarding. It’s just something about giving back to the community. Our motto is, “God created all of us to create,” so we believe everyone was made to be an artist, so no matter what your talent is. I just believe everyone’s an artist, and that was probably my most memorable, when we helped a nonprofit organization.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND CONTINUE TO NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND KEEP IT STRONG?
SHAMERICK: It’s about communication. If you don’t feel like today’s your day, you don’t have it all, or you need time, we communicate. We’ve had ups and downs, but I really feel like Jesus Christ was the glue to our marriage. Challenges come, but I really feel like communication was the key. If I’m not having a good day or he wants to question something, we sit down and we make time. We put each other first. I know we have children and some people may put the kids before the husband and wife, but if we’re not one, then we
can’t parent.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO STEP INTO THE WORLD OF PAGEANTRY?
SHAMERICK: In 2023, Miss Universe came to New Orleans, and I was in the opening number [dressed as] a peacock. At the end of that year, I said to myself, “I wish I would have done pageants.” I actually got an email [after] and it said, “if life happened and you’ve always wanted to participate in the Miss Louisiana USA pageant, this is your time.” I submitted an application and was chosen. I did not place or win, but I had a winning experience. Two weeks after the pageant, someone reached out and said, “I think you were in the wrong pageant. There’s a Mrs. Louisiana America pageant coming up in two weeks. Would you be interested?” At the time, I just wanted to have an experience of a pageant, but I said, okay, let me ask my children. Mark Anthony said, “I think you should do it.” So I did. When they said my name that I won Mrs. Louisiana America, I could have just fallen out. I went to nationals in August and placed in the top 15 in the nation, which was a really rewarding experience. At nationals in the foyer was a flower arrangement of a peacock. I asked them if they had ever had the peacock before, and they said no, it was their first time. I had chills; it was a full circle moment.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART?
SHAMERICK: Having my children and husband witness my growth and how I’ve never given up. When I asked them [if I should do it], and they told me yes, I could have not done it, but I did it because they told me I could. So I said, I’m going to be an example for you, and then by doing it, and then winning? It was a bigger message to tell them never to give up. Have faith, have fun. Life is about creating joyful moments. Sometimes we’re happy, sometimes we’re sad, and that comes and goes, but when you have joy, that’s something from within.
WHAT’S A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO OTHER MOMS LOOKING TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS WHILE RAISING A FAMILY?
SHAMERICK: My advice to other mothers is to do it. A lot of times we overthink. A lot of times we find excuses, but if I told you the best part of you for your family is a full cup, because that’s the only way to pour into them, then what would you be doing right now? And no matter what it is, I need them to know that that’s why you’re here. That’s your purpose.
