Mckenna Grace

Erin Walsh Hello Mckenna! Thank you so much for taking the time to have some fun with us- we are so excited to feature you and all you have been up to. I would love to start at the beginning- tell us a bit about your background and how you got started as an actor in the first place…

Mckenna Grace I started acting when I was 5. I was just a really creative kid, I always wanted to do all the activities I could. I got inspired by watching Shirley Temple and begged my mom for acting classes. I final got her to agree and somehow now I’m in LA doing films 10 years later! It’s crazy how fast time has flown but I’m truly grateful for every moment I have in acting.

EW We have featured many actors who have been doing it since a young age- you are still so young, and have already been doing this for so long. Can you walk us through being on set as a child, and how you manage to not become jaded?

MG Being a child actor is fun for me. 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.

EW Any tips for children who want to be working in the arts? Anything you would avoid?

MG A tip is to not get too discouraged by how many “No’s” there are in acting. 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.

UM YES THAT SOUNDS AMAZING TO ME YES PLEASE

I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS MY LIFE AND I’M ALWAYS SO THANKFUL FOR IT.

EW What are your thoughts on purpose- like do you see a greater meaning in your work and what you are called to do? And what else do you feel particularly called to do?

MG As much as I think acting is fun, I definitely am one that thinks that my position has a responsibility and a purpose bigger than myself. I think my job can help spread awareness for topics that need to be discussed….I played a child bride in the Handmaids Tale and now that’s an issue I’m able to have a larger platform to talk about. People bond over film and television and I think thats so cool I get to be a part of that.

EW What inspires you?

MG A lot of the people around me. I think there are so many strong women I get to see in this industry, and I’m really lucky to have worked with many of them. I’m constantly inspired by how much work everyone puts into the films we make! It wouldn’t be possible without one of the people on set. I always want to make sure I do my best because of that.

JACKET The Mannei DRESS Dolce & Gabbana SOCKS Wolford BODYSUIT We Love Color

EW How do you like to spend your days when you aren’t working?

MG I like to roller-skate and play video games, though most recently I’ve been writing a lot of music and writing a lot of scripts with my dad! I’m also training right now 6 days a week for a role I have coming up this summer. So I’m working out a lot!

EW Tell us how you use your platform to pay it forward.

MG I try to spread positivity. I think it’s important to be aware of the energy we put out, so I try to make it positive. I’m still learning and I make mistakes, but I always want to see the positive in anything I go through…as hard and as cliche as that might sound. More recently, in interviews, I really am proud being able to spread awareness for sexual assault and child marriage after playing a victim of both in Handmaid’s Tale. Im lucky to have just played that character when that is a reality for so many people around the world.

EW What do you wish you were asked more often?

MG I don’t know! I love being asked new questions and I enjoy being asked fun ones about the things and hobbies I have in my personal life.

EW What makes you hopeful after a year of pandemic life?

MG Seeing people come together again (in a safe way)! I’m so excited to be going back to the theaters! I’m so happy people are going to see my film in theaters and experience it together, I think that is so cool and exciting.

EW Book we should be reading?

MG Hmmmm…. I really liked the Red Queen series! And the Scythe series! Also The Dark Decent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is really good. Hehe I love books.