I first came across Macey Lemus in Skate Juice 4 by Brent Hyden—a local homie video that really made some noise. Macey’s part sort of came out of left field, and I mean that in the best way. Her trick selection was super rad, the spots she hit were dope, and there was just this raw, unfiltered energy to the way she skated that really stood out. Since then, she’s kept her foot on the gas—racking up support from some of the coolest brands in skateboarding, rolling with some heavy-hitters, and constantly progressing.
I caught up with Macey recently to talk about what originally drew her to skating, what’s been going on behind the scenes lately, and what she’s got cooking for the future. Dive in and get familiar with this coffee-addicted, punk-rock-loving ripper on the rise.
Let’s start with the basics—where are you from, how old are you and how long have you been skating?
I’m from Temecula, CA. I’m 18 years old and I’ve been skating for about 6 years now.
How did you get introduced to skateboarding and what was it that drew you to it?
I got introduced to skateboarding by my 6th grade crush. He told me to start skateboarding so I did, then he said I sucked, so of course it pushed me harder to get better. Then Covid hit, so I just had a lot of time to go out to the parks and skate. What drew me to it was the fact that I didn’t see any girls at the park and I was shocked about that. I thought it would cool to see more girls in such a male-dominated sport.
Who are some of your biggest influences and why?
Definitely Nora Vasconcellos. I just love the way she skates and inspires so many people around her. I love seeing that.
Related: Nora Vasconcellos Designs Limited-Edition Headphones for Skullcandy
How did you link up with Brent and the Skate Juice crew? Your part in Skate Juice 4 was super sick. What was it like filming for the video?
Pretty random, but I went to this skatepark that was at an avocado farm and I met Brent Hyden and Ace Pelka and we all got along pretty well. Shortly after that, Brent hit me up and asked if I wanted to get some clips for Skate Juice 4 and I was super down. It was so sick. I enjoyed every single sesh even if it was a bad day, I was just always hyped to hang out with everyone. It was like one big family! Shoutout Brent, though, for spending hours filming and editing that whole video.
Was that your first official “full” video part? How did it feel to see the final edit and how did it feel to see it play on the big screen at the premiere?
Yeah, that was my first full video part ever. I honestly was super stoked to be able to be in a video. Seeing the final product on a big screen at the premiere and having everyone watch it was so crazy. Some friends came down from LA all the way to Oceanside just to watch the video and that made me so happy. Hearing everyone cheer and have positive things to say about my part really made me happy. I was definitely a little hard on myself in the beginning, thinking that no one was going to like my part at all. But I was very wrong about that!
On the heels of that—are you filming for anything right now? If so, what is it and how has it been going? Who are you usually skating and filming with the most?
I’m in the middle of filming for a new Welcome part right now, which I’m very excited for and happy on how it’s going. I usually skate with Daniel Vargas and he films, but most days it’ll be just us two trying to find me some spots around LA. Sometimes a few of the riders will be on the sesh, like Ryan Townley, Jake Yanko, Nora Vasconcellos, and others.
I know you skate a little bit of everything, but do you prefer skating transition and skateparks over street skating? And/or vice-versa? Either way, what draws you to one over the other?
Honestly, I’d say I prefer street skating more than park. There’s just something about it that hits different! I love waking up knowing that I’m going to skate the streets because every day is different—there’s literally so many spots, it’s endless. And that’s why I think I prefer it more. You can get really creative out there.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Are you out filming and skating every day? If not, what are some other hobbies you enjoy doing in your spare time?
No, I wish I was but unfortunately I live far away from LA so I try to go up there 1-3 times a week if I can and when I’m free. Besides that, I do enjoy crafting some sort of thing at home. That’s fun. I can also sew, and when I have a big t-shirt, I sew it and make it into a baby tee since I never wear big shirts.
I know you work at Pharmacy Skateshop, right? What’s the best part about working at a skateshop and what’s the worst?
Hmmm, I’d say the best part is helping a little kid get their first set up, helping them pick out what they need and seeing how happy they are to start skating. Honestly, I wouldn’t say that there is a worst part about working at a skateshop.
I know you ride for Welcome and get hooked up with Converse. How did you get hooked up with the Welcome squad and who else supports you?
I was kind of just at every single skate event that was going on and Daniel Vargas was there and would always see me around. In March of 2024, he hit me up one day and asked if he could send me some stuff and I was so hyped. I always loved Welcome, so it was like a dream come true! My other supporters are Independent, Bronson, CONS, and Pocha World grip.
Related: Watch the ‘Skate Juice 4’ Full-Length and Exclusive Interview With Creator Brent Hyden
What’s a dream sponsor of yours that’s non-skateboarding? And why?
This one is a definitely very necessary dream sponsor, but a coffee shop sponsor would be so sick. I’m a little freak for coffee. I always gotta have a cup of coffee before the sesh, because if I don’t, it’ll be a bad day. So I need that cup of coffee.
Tell me a little about your music taste and favorite bands. How did you get into them?
My music taste is mainly loud and fast. I’m really into punk music, but sometimes it can be chill. It just depends on my mood. But I’ll name my top 5 bands: Descendents, Killing Joke, X, No Doubt and TSOL. I kind of always grew up with punk music since my dad was in a punk band when he was younger, so that was kind of the only music I would mainly hear and listen to.
Do you have a goal or a dream in skating—like, do you aspire to go pro one day—or are you just going with the flow?
I do and then I don’t, you know? Like, I would like to go pro at some point. I think that would be sick. But honestly, right now I’m kind of just going with the flow and seeing what skateboarding has for me.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more girls getting into skateboarding and absolutely ripping. Do you ever have girls telling you that you inspire them, etc.? Have you ever reached out to your favorite pros to do the same?
Yeah I always get girls hitting me up in my DMs or running into me at parks telling me I inspire them. Or asking for help on a trick. They always have fun questions and I enjoy answering them. Personally, I don’t think I have hit up any female pro or asked them in person. I was kind of always nervous to go up to them when I was younger.
And on the flip side, did you/do you ever feel a sense of intimidation rolling up to a skatepark or spot? I think any skater can sorta feel that vibe sometimes, despite who they are.
I used to when I started skating like the first year. I would always pull up to the park and see all the guys there and then get too scared to skate and just go back home. But after a while, I made some friends at my old local park and I was comfortable with them, so then I got used to being around a bunch of guys and being the only female skater at the park. I’m comfortable now, it just took some time.
Where do you see the future of women in skateboarding in the next 10 years? The progression has been so insanely rad to witness, if you ask me. I love to see it.
I hope to see even more females out there skating, getting pro boards and being more recognized for there skills.
View the original article to see embedded media.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year? Any trips? Any goals? Whether skating or non-skating?
No trips yet! Hopefully I’ll have something pop up soon. Goals—I’d like to just learn more tricks and get consistent with them. And as a non-skating goal, I really wanna make my way out to LA and live there.
Okay, quick rapid fire questions to end this thing:
Dream skate-destination?
Dream skate destination would definitely have to be Copenhagen, the spots look so sick.
Favorite skatepark / spot?
My favorite park is Frog Town! Right now, my favorite street spot is this DIY in Long Beach! It’s so sick.
Favorite skater?
My all-time favorite skater is Grant Taylor. He’s literally insane. I love it.
Go-to coffee drink?
If you know me well, then you know I always get a hot vanilla latte! I don’t care if it’s a hot day. I will be getting myself a hot coffee.
Favorite food?
Oooooh, that’s hard. I can always eat anything. But I’d say my favorite food is Pad Thai.
Favorite trick?
Currently my favorite trick is a fakie varial heel. It’s a new one. I’m still trying to get it consistent, but it’s a sick one.
Trick you want to learn?
A trick I wanna learn right now is tre flips. That’s something I don’t have. I don’t know why I struggle with them.
Anyone you want to thank / anything else you want to add?
Yeah I definitely wanna thank everyone, but mainly my family—especially my mom—and the whole Welcome crew. Every single sponsor I have and everyone who supports me through my journey. Love y’all.
Thanks, Macey!
—
Follow Macey on Instagram: @_skatewizard
