With roles in blockbusters like Independence Day: Resurgence and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Texas-born actress is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s stand-out young talents.
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Mckenna Grace was inspired by Shirley Temple
Hailing from Grapevine, Texas, Grace seems to have been a bundle of energy and ambition from the start. Whether it was gymnastics, cheerleading, tap dancing, ballet or even clinching the title of Tiny Miss Texas, Grace was always on the move, per Teen Vogue.
Grace’s passion for acting was inspired by the classic films of Shirley Temple, she told the same publication.
However, her mum was initially reluctant to support her decision to pursue acting. “I said, ‘Mum, please. I beg of you. I want to be an actor,’” Grace told Teen Vogue. Eventually, her mum relented, enrolling her in an acting class – but half-expected that it would just be another phase.
She started acting young
Grace was already stealing the spotlight on-screen in 2012, kicking off her acting journey with a recurring role on the Disney Channel’s Crash & Bernstein. By the time she was 10, Grace had tackled the role of Mary Adler in Gifted – a prodigy in a fierce custody battle, with Chris Evans playing her cool uncle. This turn earned her a Critics’ Choice Movie Award nomination for best young performer.
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She’s played the young version of multiple actresses
Grace has become the go-to “younger version” of Hollywood’s finest. From playing the child version of Brie Larson in Captain Marvel to embodying a young Tonya Harding for Margot Robbie, and dancing across timelines as younger iterations of Jennifer Morrison from in Once Upon a Time and Candice King in The Vampire Diaries.
She’s an animal rights advocate
Off screen, Grace has lent her voice and support to Farm Sanctuary – a non-profit advocating for the rights of farmed animals – standing up for the “smart and curious” turkeys, as she described them on the organisation’s website. In 2016, she worked with Peta on an ad about not leaving dogs in hot cars.
She’s spoken about her decision to become a vegetarian in interviews, and is also a devoted dog mum to Gizmo Fruitsnack Benjamin Cheesewiz Freaky Bad Boy Chicken Nugget DiCaprio – Gizmo, for short, per Teen Vogue.
She also has a music career
The spotlight shone on Grace’s musical talent when she released her debut single “Haunted House”, which played at the end of Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021).
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