Name: Alexa
Nickname: Lex, Melvin, IT-Fairy
Tenure: 5th Season
Hometown: Castro Valley
Occupation: Digital Strategist
College: San Jose State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Advertising
Languages: English & Cantonese
GR Leadership Position: Captain — leading the team and my line with Gold Rush magic and positive energy while inspiring fans and teammates every game day!
Hobbies: Snowboarding and Painting

Favorites
Song: I Wish You Love - Laufey
Quote: "You don't inspire your teammates by showing them how amazing you are. You inspire them by showing them how amazing they are." - Robyn Benincasa
Food: Sushi
App: Finch
Travel Destination: Japan
Holiday: Valentine's Day
TV Show: New Girl
Color: Purple
Dream Job: Creative Director
Book: Circe by Madeline Miller

How do you spend your time outside of Gold Rush?
Outside of Gold Rush, I love soaking up time with my loved ones! Whether we're dining out, having a cozy movie night in, or just enjoying each other's company, I truly cherish those moments and memories. I also have been loving to make time for pilates/lagree and prioritizing my health, which helps keep me balanced and energized.

What are you passionate about?
I'm most passionate about making meaningful connections with people. If I can bring a smile to someone's face each day I feel as though I've accomplished something truly important. Helping others, whether it's through a kind gesture or offering support when they need it brings me so much joy. If I can make a difference in someone's life, no matter how small, it's incredibly fulfilling and reminds me of the power of kindness. It's those little moments of connection and positivity that drive me and give my life purpose.

Tell us more about your job.
As a digital strategist at an agency, I focus on all things social media. My role involves crafting strategies that help brands connect with their audiences, whether it's through engaging content, targeted campaigns, or optimizing their online presence. One of the things I'm most proud of is being able to create meaningful content that makes people feel something, content that sparks emotion and connection. Seeing the positive reactions from clients, knowing that the work I'm doing resonates with their audience and makes a real impact, is incredibly rewarding. It's a dynamic job that combines creativity with analytics, and I love seeing the results of a well-executed strategy in real time.

Do you have any pets? Tell us about your favorite furry friends…
I have four cats and a fun fact about two of them is that I rescued them from the inside of my walls. How did this happen? Let me tell you a bit about that…A stray mama cat got into my attic and four baby kittens came into this world. They crawled and accidentally fell into the walls! After being rescued, we were able to nurse them back to health and two found their way into new loving homes while two stayed within the family.

Who or what inspires you?
In true Alexa fashion, I can't choose just one person. I'm deeply inspired by my parents and the life they've built for my brother and me. Their strength, sacrifice, and unwavering support have shaped who we are today. The weight they carried made it possible for us to chase our dreams, and I'm forever grateful for that. My brother also inspires me every day, and together we strive to honor our parents by making them proud with every step we take. One thing my parents have always instilled in me is the importance of caring for and helping others, and I am forever thankful for that lesson because it has greatly shaped who I am today. I'm also incredibly grateful to my coaches, who have pushed me beyond my limits and taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and believing in myself. Their guidance, along with my parents' support, has been essential in helping me become the person I am.

What's something our fans would be surprised to learn about you?
Something that might surprise our fans is that I played the violin for 13 years! Balancing music with competitive dancing taught me so much about discipline, patience, and the power of expressing myself in ways that go beyond words. It's a side of me that is very different from what people usually see, but it's been a huge part of shaping my creativity and personal journey.

How do you want people to remember you?
I want people to remember me as someone who never wavered in offering a helping hand, no matter the circumstance, and who always found a way to make others smile. Whether it was through my energy on the field, my support as a teammate, or simply being there for friends and family, I hope to leave behind a legacy of kindness, positivity, and genuine connection.

What's your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is our Hot Pot nights! Gathering around the table, eating a meal together, and sharing laughs will always be where I make some of my favorite memories. I've also been able to invite several of my teammates to join in, which has made the tradition even more special.

What's your favorite part of Game Day?
My favorite part of Game Day is being in our tunnel, waiting for the intro music to start. The nerves, the love we share as a team, and the overwhelming pride in all the hard work it took to get there make that moment unforgettable every time.

Tell us about your journey of becoming a Gold Rush cheerleader.
My journey to becoming a Gold Rush Cheerleader started in 2020, still in the midst of the COVID pandemic. It was a challenging time, everything was shut down, we were all wearing masks, and social distancing made training difficult. With in-person dance classes out of the question, I had to adapt by taking online classes taught by pro-dancers, and I'm incredibly grateful to them for helping me stay focused and motivated. Fast forward to 2021, I was anxiously waiting for the Gold Rush audition dates to be announced. When the time finally came in June, I put everything I had into the process. And on July 9th, I opened the team list and saw my name…in that moment, my life changed for the better. It was a dream come true, and I'll always look back on that day with so much pride and gratitude for my many coaches and the biggest supporters in my life.