McKenna Grace on Why It’s Easy for Her Not to Become Jaded
McKenna Grace may be young, but she’s not letting her age stop her from taking Hollywood by storm. The talented performer is the definition of booked and busy. In the past year alone, she’s released her first single “Haunted House”, starred in wildly popular TV shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, and given the Ghostbusters franchise new blood by portraying Phoebe in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
McKenna Grace fell in love with acting at a very young age
But the 15-year-old’s success didn’t come overnight. In fact, she’s spent ages slowly building up her impressive resume. The Haunting of Hill House alum has been diligently working toward her goals for a full decade. Grace was only 5 years old when she started acting. She was fascinated by another child actor, Shirley Temple, and begged her mom to put her in acting classes. When her mother conceded, Grace approached the classes with an abundance of enthusiasm and, eventually, her hobby became a career.
How does the ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ star avoid becoming jaded?
Of course, being a child star is challenging for a lot of actors. Having adult responsibilities at such a young age can make for a truly jaded experience. However, Grace has somehow managed to approach her career with a ton of zeal and a glass-half-full perspective. But how does the actor manage to hold on to her sunny disposition, especially in an industry that even adults have trouble navigating? In an interview with SBJCT Journal, Grace got candid about navigating her career.
“Being a child actor is fun for me,” Grace shared. “I never really felt too out of place among all the adults I worked with. I had a lot of fun! To me, it’s easy not to become jaded because I think what I do is just too fun and exciting for that. I love my work. The key to not becoming jaded or whatnot is just enjoying what you’re doing and to always keep being thankful. It’s important to remember that life can change at any moment.”
Grace gives advice to aspiring actors
Considering Grace’s talents and list of accomplishments, it’s no wonder that she’s wracked up quite a few fans. On Instagram alone, the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina alum boasts 1.8 million followers. Some of her fans are also aspiring actors themselves. So what advice does the actor have for those who wish to have a career in entertainment? According to the singer, it’s all about tenacity.
“A tip is to not get too discouraged by how many ‘Nos’ there are in acting,” Grace shared. “Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, but most of what you audition for you don’t book. It’s those ‘yes’s’ that really make a difference. I’ve spent countless hours crying over parts that I didn’t get and opportunities I missed out on, but the thing is, if I would’ve done one thing I wouldn’t have been able to do the other! Everything happens for a reason. Just keep going.”
