WORLDLINESS AND WONDER

At just 16-years-old, McKenna Grace has all the stuff that makes film and tv studio exec’s drool: talent far beyond her years, beauty, an ease for expressiveness which can convey both worldliness and wonder, enthusiasm, and a widely popular Instagram account. She can play that poster child of bright, funny, wise-beyond-her-years teenage girl, but also take on mature roles that resonate with adults as well as teens, even when she’s playing younger versions of onscreen characters (something she’s quite used to).

She’s booked a string of roles including Mrs. Keyes in The Handmaid’s Tale – which earned her an Emmy nomination – and appeared in movies like I, Tonya, Gifted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and chilling TV dramas including Haunting of Hill House and A Friend of the Family, based on a true story, in which she played a young Jan Broberg who was kidnapped multiple times in the 1970s. Next up is the equally hard-hitting film Spider and Jessie, dealing with themes of addiction, playing one half of two sisters, battling separation after their mother fatally overdoses – and on a lighter note, she’s also bagged herself a lead character in Disney+'s new coming-of-age film, Crater. Acting aside, Grace has also taken a strong interest in writing and recording music, and as her rise to stardom continues, it’s clear to see she has all the makings of a very big future.

Left Full look **Louis Vuitton**
Right Full look **Alexander McQueen**

You’ve got the Ghostbusters Afterlife sequel coming in 2023, what can we expect for Phoebe Spengler in this next chapter?

My lips are sealed. Ha-ha! I CAN’T say anything! I did an interview for my last show, A Friend of the Familyand the interviewer asked me a casual question about the sequel, and I can't even remember what I said...next thing I knew there were all these articles saying that I officially confirmed that I would be in the sequel, which was absolutely not true! So, I am not saying a thing! Ha-ha...this is NOT me confirming anything. I know nothing!

Coat **Zadig&Voltaire**, sweater **N21**

Ok, but did you ever see the female-led reboot, which starred Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig in 2016? Do you have a favourite kick-ass woman film character?

Yes! I loved it! I love Captain marvel, Lara Croft, and especially love Ripley from Alien, she’s so cool!!

And talking of female powerhouses, you’ve starred alongside Sigourney Weaver, Margot Robbie and Elisabeth Moss among others – what do you think you learned most from watching them on set?

I’ve learned so much from watching these amazing women, but I really learned a lot from Elisabeth Moss. I've spent the most time with her. I think she’s just one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever worked with, I really mean that. I totally look up to her and her work. She has this incredible work ethic and brings such powerhouse performances in everything she does. I would get so excited when she was directing me on Handmaid's Tale. I'm such a huge fan of hers!

You’re not afraid to tackle complex roles, such as playing the child bride Esther in The Handmaid’s Tale – and your role in A Friend of the Family. Do you take roles based on what you believe in and that will challenge you, rather than choosing roles that might be, quote-unquote, career choices?

I really do try to do projects that matter to me and tell stories I think are important. I’m honoured to be a part of The Handmaids Tale and A Friend of The Family because they’re projects that don’t shy away from the uncomfortable subjects and help open up conversations. I love being challenged and will never take on a role that I know I can't give my all to. I'm lucky enough to not have to choose my jobs based on money because I'm still a teenager and live with my parents, ha-ha! So as far as career choices, I just read a script and if it speaks to me, I give it my best shot to get to play the role.

With A Friend of the Family, how was it portraying a non-fictional character on-screen? You had chats with the real-life Jan too, right?

It felt like a lot of pressure and really scary, but then after speaking to Ms. Jan I felt a lot more at ease. I tried my best to do her story justice. I did as much research as I could!

Which character that you’ve played has taught you the most about yourself?

I’d say playing Jan Broberg, I learned a lot about acting, and grew a lot both as an actor and hopefully as a person.

Left Coat **Zadig&Voltaire**
Right Dress **Alexander McQueen**

You’ve been working on TV and film sets since you were five years old. Do you think acting is nature or nurture for you? Were you born an actor? Or were you nurtured to become one?

I guess it might be a little bit of both. I begged my parents to do acting when I was 5 after watching Shirley Temple videos and the Pee-Wee Herman show, but I begged to do a lot of things! I wanted to be a gymnast, a dancer, a cheerleader, I even told my parents I was going to be a Ghostbuster when I grew up. I'm an only child, so they let me try a lot of things. I was horrible at dance and gymnastics! But my teacher pulled my Mom outside after my first acting class and told her that I was doing things naturally at 5 years-old that she teaches in adult classes, and that my parents should really consider getting me an agent. Memorising scripts and taking direction came easily to me and I remember it being a lot of fun. I couldn't have done all of that without my parents help. I have always really felt like I'm doing what I was born to do, like I wouldn't rather be doing anything else, and I am happiest when I am creating.

Is there a level of performance that you’re chasing as an actor, and have you reached it to your own satisfaction yet at this stage? I mean you’ve already achieved an Emmy nominee for your part in The Handmaid’s Tale?

I don't think I will ever be completely satisfied with my work. It's a blessing and a curse and something I've had to come to terms with, especially over the past couple years as I've got older. It's a blessing because I always want to be better, but it's a curse because I'll go back and pick apart my performances. While I was filming A Friend of the Family, I was really happy with my performance, then I did a film afterwards that I feel like I grew so much on as an actor. Now, I look back at AFOF and I feel like I could've done so much better! I guess I just want to keep out-doing myself. I could say I don't want the accolades or that they aren't important to me, but I would be lying. Of course, as an actor it would be nice to have recognition for my acting from my peers or the public, but I can’t, and don’t work for that. If I did, I would be a mess. As I've grown up in this business, I've learned not to have any expectations when it comes to people or projects. I work and do my best for the directors/studios that hire me and for myself and all I can do is hope people appreciate and like what I do. However, if I'm being 100% honest, my biggest dream is to win an Oscar or an Emmy someday.

Acting aside, music is another creative passion for you. What are you currently listening to, and do you make playlists?

I’m listening to a lot of Carol Ades, DJO, Lovejoy (in preparation for their concert!) and lots of love songs ha-ha! I love making playlists! I have a ton that I’ve posted on Spotify!

Do you ever listen to music when you need to get into character for a role?

I always listen to music to get into character. I learned that from Elisabeth Moss. It's funny how certain songs bring me back to different characters. Just this morning on my way to work, I was listening to Savior Complex by Phoebe Bridgers, and it brought me back to this past summer. I listened to it to get emotional for my scenes on Spider and Jessie.

You’re releasing your next single soon, Self-Dysmorphia. Can you tell me more about the meaning behind the title? Is it in any way a reference to selfie dysmorphia and social media, and the way so many young people are so obsessed with this pursuit for perfection, with things like filters etc?

I wrote the song during a time in my life where I was really struggling with not liking myself. On my socials, I'm sure I looked happy and confident, but I was having a hard time in my personal life and with my self-image and worth. I would sometimes read mean comments on my Instagram, and it would spiral me. I have a lyric "don't be critical, I'm so miserable" because that was exactly how I was feeling. I had been hiding my struggle with scoliosis for so long. I had written the song to express my feelings because I was afraid to express how I was feeling out loud. I didn't think people would understand, and that I would look like a whiny person who didn't appreciate the things I do have. And while I am so grateful for my life, this song was just how I was feeling at the time. Just a way of saying that it doesn't matter what someone may look like on the outside, we all have battles and struggles internally.

So, I imagine you obviously stand with other actors and female stars like Zendaya, Kate Winslet and Priyanka Chopra, who have slammed society and Hollywood’s unrealistic beauty standards and especially the prevalence of digitally altered photos in fashion shoots and on social media. Are you against airbrushing, because as women, shouldn’t we be inspiring other women to be confident in themselves and make the most of their natural good looks?

Speaking of powerhouse women… Zendaya is incredible! I really look up to her! Of course, I hate how society has placed these ridiculous expectations on people. I think if a woman wants to wear lots of makeup because it makes her feel pretty, then she should, and if she wants to wear no makeup because she feels better doing that, she should! We all have different things that help us look pretty and feel pretty! I have noticed over the last year though that when I'm working on making my heart happy and prettier, that reflects on the outside. It sounds super cheesy, but I truly mean it. Taking care of our minds and hearts should be top priority.

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Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Hadar Pitchon

Fashion by Michael Rosenberg

Casting by Imagemachine cs

Hair by Ledora Francis

Make-Up by Ayaka Nihei