Best of Cleveland 2017: Professional Mermaid

Her eye shadow glitters. Her seashell-shaped necklace is luminous. But it’s Mermaid Gem’s personality that truly sparkles. As Northeast Ohio’s first professional mermaid, Gemma Lascio dives head first into her role. “It’s just enchanting and empowering,” says the 26-year-old. Like a siren’s song, Lascio was drawn to the tank the first time she swam in a friend’s faux mermaid tail. “[It] makes me feel more confident, more fun,” she gushes with a smile. But don’t think she’s just some pretty princess. As a scuba-trained performer, Lascio can hold her breath up to two minutes during underwater shows that feature bubble rings, tail flips and more. Her act doesn’t dry up on land, either, offering kids treasure during an annual residency at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire. Plus, she’s joined with her “mersisters” — yes, there are more — to form the Ohio Mermaids. “I’m creating a fantasy world,” she says. “It gives people a renewed faith in magic.” mermaidgem.weebly.com