Ivy Miller Is Not Who You Think She Is
IG funny girl writes for tv shows, saves lives, and stars in Stab Highway presented by Monster Energy.
Missing tooth. Creepy mustache. Leering at a yoga girl on the beach.
Ivy Miller has spotted her next victim. It’s Ivy Miller. Well, one version of her.
Depending on your Instagram algorithm, you might know Ivy Miller as a surfer. Or a model. Or a designer. Or a comedian. The truth is, the 26-year-old California native is all of these things. And more.
Ivy is perhaps best known for her “Skate Mom” skits where she chases her imaginary son, Axel, in pursuit of victory and ‘older skater boys’. Her imitations of the distasteful predators that lurk in the shadows of the surf/modeling scene make us laugh while feeling a tad uncomfortable.
This past March, we invited Ivy to be one of four female captains in Stab Highway California presented by Monster Energy. On paper, she was an ideal candidate: great on camera, not scared to get down and dirty, and of course, she can hold her own in the surf.
Suffice to say we had lofty expectations for Ivy, and the San Diegan surpassed all of them. She was hilarious, tireless, willing to perform the most abhorrent of challenges, and even surprised a few people by knocking one of Australia’s top female surfers in a 60-minute heat.
On this trip, we learned that Ivy Miller is even more dynamic than what she portrays on IG. On top of her personal skits, Ivy writes for TV shows on major networks that we cannot name for legal purposes. She’s also a former lifeguard, EMT (emergency medical technician), college graduate, and student of improv. We’re not sure if we can should say this, but she’s also a self-appointed pharmacist, using secret chemical concoctions to keep her team hydrated and medicated against Stab Highway’s enemy #1 — the hangover.
After learning all of this, we felt compelled to introduce our readers to the real Ivy Miller — not just the person(s) she portrays on IG. So we got her in the office to chat about, well…everything.
Stab: Hey Ivy! First things first, where are you from?
Ivy Miller: I’m from South Carlsbad, California. Born and raised. Sometimes I’ll say I’m from Encinitas, because I grew up with those kids, but I went to Carlsbad High School.
Do you claim Seaside as your local?
No, I don’t really identify myself as a local anywhere.
Somebody told me your dad is the lifeguard uniform guy? What does that mean? Is it true?
Yes. When dad was 18 he met my mom lifeguarding in Oceanside. Lifeguards used to have to wear these awful Speedos, so my dad asked my mom to make him some trunks. Then his friends wanted the trunks, and soon all of Oceanside wanted them too. So my parents started a company (Watermen), and now they provide lifeguard uniforms to 80% of the world.
At what age did they enroll you in Junior Lifeguards Guards?
You’re not supposed to be able to enter until you’re eight, but my parents pulled some strings and got me in at six [laughs]. Then I graduated high school when I was sixteen or seventeen, but the problem is you can’t be a lifeguard until you’re eighteen. I was thinking, “Oh hell yeah, I got some summers off.” But then my dad sent a mass email to all the lifeguard agencies to see where I could go. Nebraska and North Carolina were the ones that responded — so I spent that summer in NC as a lifeguard.
What’s your craziest lifeguard story?
There’s a lot. I’ve saved two huge guys out of rips. Kids were always missing, and then there’s like couples having sex in public in front of families. One time a person broke their femur and was bleeding out on the beach. Now it’s even worse with everyone flocking from inland with their jean shorts.
Sounds like great Stab Highway prep — but I take it lifeguarding wasn’t your end all be all?
No, working eight hours a day for minimum wage and staring nonstop into the anus of the sun — hence my pterygium — is not something I wanted to do forever. But it’s a good job for that age and learning how to be responsible and get stuff done.
In your younger years, did you have a sense of what you wanted to do with life?
I knew I wanted to have fun for a living, because the whole chain of command and reporting to people was not for me.
I feel that. Was surfing always part of your life?
Yeah, my whole family surfed. Started when I was seven, but I was such a little princess — I didn’t want to put a wetsuit on, which is now ironic. I didn’t like surfing here. It wasn’t my thing. But then I went to Hawaii and started to understand it. After Hawaii, I had one day at Ponto where I got my toes on the nose of the board then I thought it was fun.
Did you get into a routine after that?
Yeah, I was stoked on it. My best friend and I would tandem because we thought it too scary alone. Eventually we got our own boards and joined surf PE. Here in California, schools are supportive of this lifestyle.
Did you ever compete?
Yeah, just like SSS [Scholastic Surf Series]. I learned I don’t like competing against girls. In the heat I bobbed around and had fun, I can’t take myself seriously.
So when people ask how you make a living, how do you respond?
Recently, I’ve been into screenwriting and working on treatments for brands.
We heard you’ve got something in the works on Netflix, can you talk about it?
Soon, not yet.
Dammit. What’s the split between being a model or comedic personality, surfer, and writer?
I don’t model anymore. Surfing, comedy, and writing are my main things. I try to focus on what I love, that’s writing and improv— giggling and writing out ideas with my friends is what gives me life. I’ll spend six months out of the year in LA working on different shows and whatnot.
Do you feel like you live a double life, spending that much time in LA?
Yes, LA is a completely different monster. It’s enlightening to be in the comedy realm with people who have no idea about surfing or snowboarding. A lot of them work their asses off and lose sight of all real fun.
I’m always trying to be Peter Pan — and having surfing and snowboarding keeps things fun. Bringing those little golden nuggets to a place so serious and career-based creates light energy — there’s value there.
I’ve been on sets for several shows and realized how hard it is to create authentic comedic moments. I know for a fact that people in Hollywood would’ve paid millions for those moments of authenticity that were on the Highway. To see the smiles, the laughs, disgusting throw-ups, and bootie juices is so raw — it’s priceless.
Where does the biggest inspiration for your own skits come from?
Early 2000 movies, like Stepbrothers and 40 year-old Virgin. The shows where you see a group of friends working together and there’s a script but they have the freedom to improv.
What’s your favorite skit you’ve ever done?
My favorite skit was the creepy photographer. That one was fun because it was real — it happens. I hate the men that prey on women. It’s not the most comfortable thing to talk about, but laughing about it adds an element of power. I love taking those uncomfortable situations and raising awareness. I also loved making the video where I’m the Airbnb owner woman.
How many people do you have holding a camera when you’re playing those skits out? Do you have a crew?
I have a friend that helps me with those skits, she understands the POV style well.
In the entertainment world, having that rooted base of friends gives you a huge advantage. I’m fortunate to have friends at home who support and love what I do. They’ll drop me off to do stints in LA, and be like “good luck, we love you.”
Speaking of friendships, we heard there was strategizing going into Stab Highway. Who did you want on your team?
I wanted Eithan [Osborne] first because I knew he was a freak. And I wanted Ian [Crane] because I know he is extremely good at surfing and a super solid human being. I wanted [Noah] Waggy because he’s a sweet golden retriever. It just so happens Waggy is from Santa Cruz, Eithan is from Ventura, Ian is from San Clemente, and I’m from San Diego.
You had the coast covered. Which surfers were texting you trying to get on your team beforehand
Zeke [Jacob Szekely] was big time, and then another one, but I said I wouldn’t say anything about it.
Why do you think Zeke was the second to last pick? I figured as a stunt double he would have been one of the first.
I love Zeke. But spending ten days with him is a challenge in itself — one I wasn’t ready to take on. We’ve known each other from the time we were groms — he’s loud and he smells. I don’t need to be in close quarters with that.
Not even worth the wetsuit challenge?
I think I’d rather wear the wetsuit.
Do you consider yourself a competitive person?
I don’t consider myself competitive — but I did want to win. Highway was a nostalgic experience, my dad used to have my brother and I do random dares. He would dare us like, “I bet you won’t go up to those people and tell ’em a joke, and then do this silly dance.” My brother and his friends would always be afraid — I did it all.
As the team captain, who did you feel like was your most evenly matched competition?
Zoe McDougall, 100%
Zoe rips. She has a joke going that I don’t actually surf, because I’m very selective with my conditions. She’s always teasing me for not surfing, and in the show things got heated.
I had to assemble a board. That girl said, “Do you even know how to set up a surfboard?” And I said, “Oh, no I don’t,” playing coy. Then I took out the big guns and strapped that thing up real quick. I saw red and gave her a little push, she was pissed at me for solid three hours.
Now we’re BFFS, she’s gonna visit soon.
Will she make you surf?
Nah, I’ll just yell at her from the beach.
When you do surf, what boards do you ride?
I ride Misfits Shapes they make them in Australia and their shapes are really fun. I grew up riding Mayhems and I still love their boards, I switch on and off between two.
Dope. Now, there are literal legends of your “purse prep” on Stab Highway. Can you talk about that?
Oh my god. My purse. I had a pill for everything. When I was a lifeguard, I got my EMT, so I was prepared on the first-aid side of things. I had a hunch there was going to be a wetsuit challenge, so I brought anti-yeast meds and UTI medicine. I made a vitamin concoction for the boys every day— vitamin C, electrolytes, plus hangover pills.
You were like a traveling pharmacist?
Yeah, I had to be. We were not going to let anything like a hangover slow us down.
Describe Stab Highway in two words.
Fuck, two?
Yeah, just two.
Rogue or raw. Can’t decide.
And then honestly like connection or friendship. I can’t decide either.
Rogue friendship, beautiful. What’s your biggest takeaway from Stab Highway California presented by Monster Energy?
Friends. I hope our team will get to do an annual reunion trip, because I love those boys so much.
Ian’s brain helped me thrive in my team captain position, he’s very organized and thorough at scheduling. Eithan and Waggy connected the bridge — they were the pillars holding us up when things got wobbly.
Are you gonna incorporate them in any of your skits?
Eithan said he would be down to do skits with me.
Is he gonna be Axel?
Axel? No, he can’t be an Axel. We’ll find a spot for him. The trip really got the creative juices flowing. We’ll see in the upcoming months what comes out of it.
Can’t wait to see it, thanks Ivy.
Stab Highway California presented by Monster Energy episode one will be live tomorrow (6/23) on Stab Premium.
To celebrate, we’re offering a 7-day free trial to Stab Premium! Sign up now and watch tonight’s episode of Stab Highway presented by Monster Energy, and the rest of our catalogue. No strings attached.
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