For over a decade, Ellory Grace has been a familiar face in the fashion world, walking runways in Paris and gracing the pages of top magazines. But the young model is now ready to expand her story, stepping into the worlds of acting and music. In this exclusive interview, Rutherford opens up about growing up in the spotlight, her passion for youth mental health advocacy, and how she’s redefining success on her own terms. She’s not just a model — she’s a storyteller, and she’s just getting started.
HI, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHAT WITH US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS ELLORY GRACE IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I’m Grace — a model, actress-in-training, and singer-songwriter, but also just a teen who loves animals, music, and hanging out with my friends. I’m a mix of polished and real — I can walk a runway in Paris one week and be back at my desk doing homework the next. At my core, I’m someone who wants to show other teens that being yourself — even the unfiltered parts — is actually your superpower.
YOU BEGAN MODELING AT JUST THREE YEARS OLD AND HAVE GRACED INTERNATIONAL RUNWAYS EVER SINCE. HOW HAS GROWING UP IN THE FASHION WORLD SHAPED BOTH YOUR ARTISTRY AND YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE?
Growing up backstage and on runways taught me that art is bigger than clothes — it’s about the story they tell. I’ll never forget standing under the lights at my first Milan show and realizing fashion wasn’t just about how I looked, but about how it made the audience feel. That shifted my whole perspective. To me, confidence isn’t about chasing “perfect”; it’s about being brave enough to walk into any room as yourself — quirks and all. Modeling gave me the courage to treat life like a runway: you show up, you take up space, and you share your story.
MANY STILL REMEMBER YOU AS THE “LUCERNE MILK GIRL.” LOOKING BACK, WHAT DOES THAT EARLY ROLE MEAN TO YOU NOW AS YOU’RE EXPANDING INTO ACTING AND MUSIC?
It makes me laugh because I was so little, but in a way it feels like my first acting job. At the time it was just my face on a national milk campaign, but now I see it was my first experience connecting with people through a story on screen. It planted the seed that performing could be more than modeling — it could be storytelling. That’s what excites me most about stepping into acting and music today: the chance to tell stories that people can feel and connect with.
FROM HARPER’S BAZAAR TO ELLE, YOU’VE WORKED WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN FASHION. WHAT MOMENTS ON THE RUNWAY OR IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA STAND OUT AS THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE FOR YOU?
Paris Fashion Week is still burned into my memory. I remember hearing the music start, the crowd hush, and the lights hit me — it felt like walking into a movie scene. Another moment was opening Harper’s Bazaar and seeing myself on the page. I used to tape those magazine covers to my wall for inspiration, and suddenly I was one of them. Those moments didn’t just transform my career — they gave me the belief that I can step into new roles, literally and creatively.
YOU’RE NOW TRAINING IN ACTING AND MUSIC. WHAT DREW YOU TO THESE NEW CREATIVE PATHS, AND HOW DO YOU HOPE TO TELL DIFFERENT KINDS OF STORIES THROUGH THEM?
I’m drawn to anything that tells a story. Acting lets me step into different lives and see the world through new eyes, while music lets me share my own story directly. When I write songs, they’re usually about friendships, identity, or feeling out of place — things every teen goes through. Acting and music give me a chance to take those messy, real feelings and turn them into something other people can see themselves in.
IF A DIRECTOR COULD CAST YOU IN ANY ROLE TOMORROW, WHAT KIND OF STORY WOULD YOU LOVE TO TELL?
I’d love to play a role that feels real — someone layered and still figuring life out, because that’s what being a teen actually feels like. I think the most powerful stories are the ones that show both strength and vulnerability. Whether it’s a coming-of-age film or a character who grows through challenges, I’d want to be part of something that makes people feel seen.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU HOPE TO CREATE, AND WHAT DO YOU WANT LISTENERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR SONGS?
When I write songs, they’re often about friendships, identity, and those in-between moments where you feel out of place. My dream is that someone hears a lyric and thinks, “That’s exactly how I feel.” Music has always been my safe place, and I want to create songs that can be that safe place for someone else too.
YOU’VE BEEN HONORED TWICE WITH THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SERVICE AWARD. WHAT DRIVES YOUR PASSION FOR PHILANTHROPY, AND WHICH CAUSE FEELS CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW?
I’ve always believed your platform should be bigger than just yourself. Being honored with the Presidential Service Award reminded me that impact isn’t just about visibility—it’s about what you leave behind for others. Youth mental health is closest to my heart. I’ve felt uncomfortable taking up space in rooms where I didn’t know how I’d be received, and I know how isolating that can feel. Supporting mental health, for me, is about helping people feel seen and supported—especially when they don’t know how to ask for help. That same idea has shaped my approach to community service. Over the holidays, I helped lead a Toys for Tots toy drive at LA LIVE in partnership with Key Elements PR, while also organizing a smaller drive in my own community. Seeing how many people wanted to help, and how quickly things came together once there was a clear starting point, pushed me to create a guide called Start a Mini Toy Drive in Your Community, along with short educational videos so others could do the same. I’ve realized I really care about building simple processes and guides that make it easier for people to help others, even when they don’t know where to start. I’ve seen how much people want to give back once helping feels welcoming instead of intimidating.
Alongside this work, I’ve continued volunteering with organizations like UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, The Kids Mental Health Foundation, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Across all of it, my goal has stayed the same: to make giving back feel accessible, organized, and possible for anyone who wants to help. For me, leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about creating something others can step into—and seeing how much stronger a community becomes when they do.
ANIMAL RESCUE, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS ARE ALL CAUSES YOU ACTIVELY CHAMPION. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR PLATFORM AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT AND MEANINGFUL CHANGE?
I think entertainment grabs attention, but authenticity keeps it. If I post an OOTD or runway clip, that might bring people in — but if I also share my goofy side, my pets, or my overthinking, it makes the bigger conversations — like mental health or empowerment — feel real. I want my platform to feel like a place where inspiration meets honesty, because that’s where real change starts.
LOOKING AHEAD, HOW DO YOU ENVISION BALANCING MODELING, ACTING, MUSIC, AND PHILANTHROPY WHILE CONTINUING TO GROW AS AN ARTIST AND CHANGEMAKER?
For me, modeling is my foundation, acting and music are the expansion, and philanthropy is my grounding. Balance doesn’t mean doing everything at once; it means choosing what matters in the moment and staying true to my values. I don’t just want to chase opportunities — I want to create a career that inspires people, entertains them, and leaves something meaningful behind.
WHAT’S SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US?
People see me in magazines and assume I’m super serious, but I’m actually pretty goofy. I love drawing outfit sketches, learning guitar (not perfectly yet), and doing weird snack taste tests with my friends. Also, I have four rescue cats and a dog who basically run my house — they’re the real divas.
WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU ONLINE?
Look for me on social media including: TikTok at @gracekofficial, YouTube @graceklife where I share fashion, behind-the-scenes moments, and everyday teen life. And soon, I’ll be sharing more music and acting projects, so stay tuned!
