Many young performers dream of the chance to one day make it to Hollywood to have their shot at fame and fortune. This year that dream came true for 13-year-old Manachaban Middle School student Grace Gibbons.
“When I’m acting, I don’t know how to describe it. It is so much fun getting to play a character,” said Gibbons. “When I’m singing, sometimes songs can really express how I’m feeling. It is nice to sing. I just love it.”
Gibbons’ mother Roberta said that Grace sent an email to an agent in Vancouver, saying she was interested in pursuing singing and acting. He came to Calgary and met with her and phoned that same night telling her he was going to send her to Los Angeles.
“I was shaking and I was about to cry. I was so excited,” Grace said of her reaction.
From Jan. 1 – 10, Grace was sent to a showcase of young talent, where Roberta said there were over 150 agents that work with companies such as Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, as well as record producers.
Grace described a typical day as getting up around 5:30 a.m., having her hair and makeup done and then spending the day performing at auditions in front of about 15 to 20 agents.
Grace said she made a lot of friends from all around the world, who she still keeps in touch with via social media.
The showcase had a final award ceremony where Grace picked up three pieces of hardware.
Now, just a month after returning, Grace has four different agencies interested in negotiating a contract with her.
Moving forward, Grace said she would like to go back to L.A. to pursue acting, although she still has a love for singing.
“I want to do both, but if I had to pick it would be acting,” she said. “There is something about acting. Getting to play someone else is kind of fun.”
