How I Make $120K as a Mermaid For a Living | Refinery29

Today on For a Living, Mermaid Elle gives us a deep dive into her life as a Professional Mermaid. From performing at events to instructing free diving courses to collaborating on tails with Cape Cali, @MermaidElle wears a lot of hats in her career. Watch to learn more about her mer-mazing career.

Check out Cape Cali tails at @CapeCali

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For A Living documents extraordinary women thriving within unique careers. From the salary they earn to the most unexpected task they perform at work, we learn the ins and outs of life for these women dominating in their field.

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[MermaidElle]

Thank you for putting together such a beautiful piece on my mermaid work! Love you all! 💫

[itsbrandonboyd]

It's definitely a skill to perform at that level. It's more than just a performance too. It takes a lot of training and coordination to come off so effortlessly. Kudos to you for pursuing a fantastic career. 👏🏾

[JudyCZ]

I remember Elle from a video she did with Allure. The scale of her work is genuinely so wide! 😮

[muhlaynee]

Look at this unique life she's created for herself!! She's amazing.

[HaleyTheMermaid]

I don’t make nearly that much but I absolutely love being a professional mermaid I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

[relavelmakeupbags]

You showcase your creativity and talent so well in every video. Keep up the fantastic work!

[aegmn]

She is such a sweetheart and smart woman. Heartwarming video.

[bossladyplanner]

What a wonderful job! I like your philosophy of life 💫 I hope your message will allow more people to dare doing what they like and act towards making their big dreams come to life (despite of external judgements).

[melindahmkhwanazi]

Reason number 1023 why I wasted money going to University!

[skarletpowers]

Without the makeup, she would look like a true mermaid, I appreciate that fact that mermaids wouldn't worry about makeup or hair or their weight. Just be beautiful how you are naturally. I appreciate the work you do keeping mermaids alive in people's minds and hearts. Tysm

[trishaarabie]

My daughter has lover mermaid ell since the blue wild spearfishing convention. Glad to see all your Success

[AlejandraCamposGua]

What a beautiful video! She is so passionate!

[taraleaks]

can you teach how to swim like a mermaid i need to learn how to kick

[canadavatar]

How can I be a professional merman if I have thalassophobia (fear of the deep and dark water)?

[lannaeats]

She looks a lot like Liz Woods from 90 Day Fiance. Wow, thats crazy lol!

[AKbaby]

I wonder if most of her work is for kids parties or adult parties...and I wonder how much she gets paid. I've always loved the water😂

[tiffthemermaid]

Good for her but i sure wish i could pay rent with my job

[primeparodox]

why do u use a wig?ur naturaL style seems the same

[mercedeskim]

With so many shark attacks taking place even in shallow waters, I would stay in pools if I were you.

[xxacantheaxx]

Sorry but... "[I started using more gold in my pallett to represent a mermaid princess who] Earns her crown for protecting the ocean... tell the humans to clean up after themselves. Not pollute the beaches..." while using chemicals and cosmetics in water to be pretty. Beauty of the ocean lies within nature. No need to use some fancy products to put on a veil or crown of false understanding. Not to be mistaken: I am sure being a professional mermaid for a living is hard. Organizing it all IS HARD. But dang. WTF. No need to be a such an angel about it.