Born and raised in the Cayman Islands, Grace Gealey went to school at the University of South Florida in Tampa where she received her Bachelor’s in Theater Arts. She then attended the University of California in Irvine where she received her Master’s on Fine Arts in acting.
After completing school, Gealey moved to Los Angeles and New York where she performed professionally on stage and in minor film and television roles. Gealey then moved to Chicago where she made her major television network debut on FOX’s new music series Empire. Gealey stars as Anika Gibbons, head of Empire Entertainment A&R, alongside Terrence Howard as Lucious and Taraji P. Henson as Cookie.
Gealey is also skilled in painting and ballroom dancing, hoping to incorporate those skills into her work in the future.
Marie Blake: Growing up in the Cayman Islands, what drew you into the acting field?
Grace Gealey: What was interesting about that was, I never thought of the acting field because of the fact that it's not a profession that was widely perused by a woman in the Cayman Islands. It wasn't that I thought ‘yes, acting is what I want to do.’ I just knew that I liked to perform and I love to express myself through art. As I got older I realized that was acting and that I loved performing. It wasn't until I actually went to school at the University of South Florida, until I realized that in order to make this a profession; this is what I would have to do to pursue it.
Marie: I know you've had some prior work in theater and small television roles, but how does it feel to have your network television debut on Empire?
Grace: It feels amazing of course. It's such a phenomenal show to be a part of and now with the ratings and stuff, I’m so honored and humbled to be a part of such a powerhouse project.
Marie: How is it working with such an outstanding cast including Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and Lee Daniels? Have they given you any acting advice?
Grace: Well I wouldn't say acting advice, I went to school and I have my two degrees, but there has been guidance for me in reference of exactly what direction to take, and that has been really amazing.
Marie: What do you enjoy most about Anika Gibbons?
Grace: Well I call her Storm because of the fact that she has so many layers and so many dimensions. She can use different tactics to get what it is that she wants, and that is the most enjoyable part of playing her.
Marie: After earning your B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of South Florida and graduating with your M.F.A. from the University of California - Irvine, did you ever imagine that you would be where you are today?
Grace: One dreams (laughs), one definitely dreams, but actually, before I booked ‘Empire,’ I was in a different place mentally. I was getting to the point where I was accepting the fact that maybe this might not happen for me. I was fine with the fact that if I just create art then that would be enough for me, then Empire happened.
Marie: What was the hardest part in your journey to becoming an actress?
Grace: Everybody has a different journey, everybody has a different path and you don’t really know what to expect. All you know is to just keep plugging away and you hope something will come through and something will happen. There is no formula to stand behind so you don’t know what’s going to happen in the end, You don’t know that if at the end of all of this you’re going to see everything come through. So I think that was the hardest part. There were times when I was working three jobs at one time and I was still auditioning just to make ends meet and I was hoping that something was going to come through. Especially after you have two degrees, standing solid through the process is sometimes the hardest part because there is no guarantee.
Marie: Are there any actors or directors you would love to work with in the future?
Grace: Oh yeah! (laughs). I would love to share the screen with Meryl Streep, wouldn't we all? I would love to work with Spielberg and Scorsese; that would be lovely. I’m also a huge fan of Johnny Depp and the way he creates his characters, so that would be fun. I mean any of the greats really. I’m just enjoying the ride at this point.
Marie: Do you see yourself branching out into other ventures like film or Broadway?
Grace: Of course, again for me it's not just about being in television, it's about creating art and if I can create art on Broadway playing a media role or if I’m able to explore in film, absolutely, whatever that entails. As long as I’m creating art and I’m being challenged I feel like it's something that I would consider.
Marie: I know you’re very talented in other areas like dance and art, so if you weren't acting, what do you think you would be doing instead?
Grace: I would either be painting or I'd be ballroom dancing. Those are the things I do on my free time and I absolutely love it. I love expressing myself through those mediums of art.
Marie: Are there any other projects that you’re working on?
Grace: That is in the process (laughs), so I’ll have to get back to you on that one!
image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
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