Gracie Gillam Explained

Gracie Gillam
Birth Date:4 May 1992
Birth Place:Austin, Texas, U.S.
Birth Name:Grace Victoria Phipps
Occupation:Actress, singer, dancer
Years Active:2010–present
Other Names:Grace Phipps

Gracie Gillam (born Grace Victoria Phipps; May 4, 1992[1]), formerly credited as Grace Phipps, is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She is well known for starring in the Disney Channel movies Teen Beach Movie and Teen Beach 2.

Early life

Was born in Austin, Texas, to Kate and Gilliam Phipps.[2] She has a younger brother named Liam.[2]

She was raised in Boerne, Texas and San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School's North East School of the Arts, where she majored in musical theater and graduated summa cum laude.[2] [3] She is currently an undergraduate student at Columbia University.[4]

In 2010, she won the Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition.[5] A Los Angeles agent signed Gillam after seeing her star as Rizzo in a theater production of the musical Grease.[6] [7] [8]

Career

Acting

Following her 2010 high school graduation, Gillam moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. After seven days there, she landed the prime role as Bee in the DreamWorks 2011 major movie remake of the 1985 comedy horror film Fright Night. That year, she also originated the regular role of Amy in the ABC Family fantasy drama series The Nine Lives of Chloe King.[6] [9] [10] The series was cancelled after one season.[11]

In 2012 through 2013, Gillam was cast as April Young, a recurring character in The CW's supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries,[12] [13] and appeared in 10 episodes of the fourth season.

In 2013, Gillam appeared as cute biker girl Lela, in an Annette Funicello impression, in Teen Beach Movie, a Disney Channel Original Movie, singing and dancing along with Ross Lynch and Maia Mitchell.[14] [15] [16] The movie, with an audience of 13.5 million viewers, was the second-highest rated cable movie in television history.[17] [18] Phipps had a number of featured solos, including the song "Falling for Ya".[19]

Also in 2013, Gillam appeared in three episodes of the ABC TV comedy series Baby Daddy as Megan, the love interest of Ben (Jean-Luc Bilodeau), in the fantasy-horror TV series Supernatural as Hael, and in the short The Signal as Zoe.[20] [21] The following year, Phipps appeared in Disney's teen sitcom Austin & Ally episode "Directors & Divas", as diva movie star Brandy Braxton.[22] [23]

In 2015, Gillam starred and reprised her role as fiercely independent and brassy biker chick Lela in a sequel teen musical, Teen Beach 2, along with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Garrett Clayton, and John DeLuca.[24] [25] [26] It premiered with 5.8 million viewers, as the most-watched cable movie of 2015.[27]

Also in 2015, Gillam starred in the horror movie Dark Summer, playing the part of Mona Wilson. She also played the lead role of a troubled teen cheerleader named Kaitlin in the emotional horror/slasher film Some Kind of Hate, which was featured in the 2015 Stanley Film Festival, the Fantasia International Film Festival, and FrightFest.[28] [29] [30] [15] [31] [32]

That year, she also appeared in three episodes of the black comedy-horror TV series Scream Queens on Fox as Mandy, and was a beauty gangleader named Alice in Paul Solet's punk rock revenge segment of horror comedy Tales of Halloween.[31] [33] [34] In addition, she appeared in the police procedural drama TV series as Vanessa Gillerman, and in the police procedural TV series Hawaii Five-0 as Erica Young.[35] [36] She was also featured on the cover of the June/July 2015 issue of Girls' Life.[37] [38]

She appeared on the Syfy TV series Z Nation as Sgt. Lilly from 2017 to 2018.[39]

Music

The Teen Beach Movie soundtrack, which entered the Billboard 200 chart at number eight in July 2013, was released featuring songs performed by Gillam, including her as a main artist in the song "Falling for Ya" and featured in the songs "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'", "Like Me", "Meant to Be", and "Coolest Cats in Town".[40] "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'" and "Falling for Ya" topped Billboards Kid Digital charts for weeks, with "Falling for Ya" reaching number 25 on the Heatseekers Songs chart and number 66 on the Hot Digital Songs chart.[40] [41]

In 2014, Phipps appeared in the Austin & Ally episode "Directors & Divas"[22] [23] and performed "The Pilot and the Mermaid" with Ross Lynch.

In 2015, her song "Gotta Be Me" from Teen Beach 2 was nominated in the Teen Choice Awards as the Choice Song from a Movie or TV Show; she sang the song with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Garrett Clayton, John Deluca, and Jordan Fisher.[42]

Personal life

Before 2017, Gillam was credited professionally under her birth name, Grace Phipps. She revealed that the change was due to the fact that she had "always wanted a stage name" and is based on "Gilliam," a family name.[43]

In November 2017, Gillam began dating actor and Z Nation co-star Nat Zang.[44] In January 2022, Gillam announced their engagement.[45] They were married in May 2023 in Arizona.[46]

Filmography

Notes
2011Fright NightBee
2013The SignalZoeShort
2015Dark SummerMona Wilson
Some Kind of HateKaitlin
Tales of HalloweenAlice
2019The Lost Weekend Maggie MaeShort
2021SuperhostRebecca
Notes
2011The Nine Lives of Chloe KingAmy Tiffany MartinMain role
2012–13The Vampire DiariesApril YoungRecurring role
2013–15Baby DaddyMeganRecurring role
2013Teen Beach MovieLelaTV film; Disney Channel Original Movie
SupernaturalHaelEpisode: "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here"
2014Austin & AllyBrandy BraxtonEpisode: "Directors & Divas"
2015Hawaii Five-0Erica YoungEpisode: "Wawahi moeʻuhane (Broken Dreams)"
2015Vanessa GillermanEpisode: "Selfie 2.0"
Teen Beach 2LelaTV film; Disney Channel Original Movie
Scream QueensYoung Mandy GreenwellRecurring role
2017–18Z NationSgt LillyMain cast (Season 4–5)
2020Stolen In Plain SightMelissaTV film: Lifetime Movie Network Original Movie

Discography

Soundtrack albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"
Album detailsPeak
chart
positions
US
US
OST
BEL
[47]
CAN
FRA
[48]
NL
[49]
NZ
[50]
SPA
[51]
UK
[52]
Teen Beach Movie[53] 3 1 176 14 76 56 30 15 36
Teen Beach 2[54]
  • Released: June 23, 2015
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Label: Walt Disney
10 1 129 67
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
[55]
US
Heat.

[56]
IRL
[57]
UK
[58]
"Cruisin' for a Bruisin'"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Ross Lynch & Jason Evigan)201382 6 90 117Teen Beach Movie
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US Bub. [59] US
Heat.

[60]
US Kid[61] US
Holiday

[62]
UK
"Like Me"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, & Spencer Lee)20131 10 3177Teen Beach Movie
"Falling For Ya"23 252
"Meant To Be"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Spencer Lee and Garrett Clayton)5
"Coolest Cats In Town"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Spencer Lee and Jason Evigan20
"Gotta Be Me"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell,Garrett Clayton, John DeLuca & Jordan Fisher)2015233Teen Beach 2
"Best Summer Ever"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Garrett Clayton, Jordan Fisher, John DeLuca and Chrissie Fit)5
"That's How We Do"
(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Garrett Clayton, Jordan Fisher and John DeLuca)
4
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Notes and References

  1. New Kids On Your TV Block 2011: The Girls. Portrait Magazine. October 28, 2011. dead. https://archive.today/20120914005558/http://www.portraitmagazine.net/archives/newkidsgirls3.html. September 14, 2012. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: Grace Phipps, Lee Grad Star. The Bugle Call. September 16, 2011. November 3, 2015. February 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160204093907/http://newspaper.neisd.net/lee/2011/09/16/grace-phipps-lee-grad-star/. dead.
  3. Web site: Jeanne Jakle: NESA grad is making friends in Hollywood. San Antonio Express-News. June 11, 2011. October 28, 2011.
  4. Web site: College Sweatshirt. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BEZqAo6zGDp . December 24, 2021 . registration.
  5. Web site: Las Casas competition awards college-bound performers. San Antonio Current.
  6. Web site: Jeanne Jakle: NESA grad is making friends in Hollywood. San Antonio Express-News. June 11, 2011.
  7. Web site: S.A.'s TV presence: Who's in, out?. San Antonio Express-News. May 13, 2014.
  8. Web site: Grace Phipps Bio. Alloy Entertainment.
  9. Web site: Meet Grace Phipps, Chloe King's BFF . Alloy Entertainment . May 23, 2011 . February 26, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016024132/http://chloeking.alloyentertainment.com/2011/05/23/meet-grace-phipps-chloe-kings-bff/ . October 16, 2013 . mdy-all .
  10. Web site: Grace Phipps Joins Vampire Diaries For Season 4. CINEMABLEND. July 19, 2012. May 8, 2016.
  11. Web site: 'The Nine Lives Of Chloe King' Canceled By ABC Family . https://web.archive.org/web/20110925103758/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/15/the-nine-lives-of-chloe-king-canceled-by-abc-family/103927/ . dead . September 25, 2011 . TV by the Numbers . September 15, 2011 . Gorman . Bill.
  12. Web site: Grace Phipps Cast as Vampire Diaries' New Character April . Wetpaint . July 19, 2012 . February 26, 2013 . McGrath, Jenny . December 15, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121215175835/http://www.wetpaint.com/the-vampire-diaries/articles/grace-phipps-cast-as-vampire-diaries-new-character-april . dead .
  13. Web site: Grace Phipps Joins The Vampire Diaries. Robyn. Ross. July 19, 2012. TVGuide.com. May 8, 2016.
  14. Web site: Disney's 'Teen Beach 2,' a Return to Sun and Bubble Gum. June 21, 2015. The New York Times. May 8, 2016.
  15. Web site: How the director of 'Some Kind of Hate' turned a Disney star into a slasher villain. Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. May 8, 2016.
  16. Web site: Disney Bets on the Sixties Look With 'Teen Beach Movie'. David. Lipke. WWD. July 18, 2013. May 8, 2016.
  17. News: Surf's up again in Disney Channel's 'Teen Beach 2'. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. November 3, 2015. March 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190330221300/https://www.star-telegram.com/living/article25331485.html. dead.
  18. Web site: D23 Expo: 'Teen Beach Movie' Cast on Big Ratings, Getting Mobbed and Hopes for a Sequel. Kimberly. Nordyke. August 11, 2013. The Hollywood Reporter. May 8, 2016.
  19. News: Grace Phipps: From The Vampire Diaries to Teen Beach Movie. Alloy Entertainment. July 23, 2013.
  20. Web site: 'Vampire Diaries' Grace Phipps on 'Baby Daddy' – Hollywood Reporter. Philiana Ng. December 18, 2012. The Hollywood Reporter. May 8, 2016.
  21. Web site: ABC Family Casts Lacey Chabert and Grace Phipps to Guest Star in New Episodes of Original Series 'Baby Daddy'. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208044251/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/12/19/abc-family-casts-lacey-chabert-and-grace-phipps-to-guest-star-in-new-episodes-of-original-series-baby-daddy/. dead. December 8, 2015. TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. May 8, 2016.
  22. Web site: TV Show Characters With Perfect Valentine's Day Hairstyle Ideas. https://web.archive.org/web/20150129013050/http://www.twistmagazine.com/posts/tv-show-characters-with-perfect-valentine-s-day-hairstyle-ideas-49968/photos/grace-phipps-brandy-austin-and-ally-colorful-hair-extensions-74947. dead. January 29, 2015. Heather. Thompson. January 25, 2015. May 8, 2016.
  23. Web site: 'Teen Beach Movie' Reunion: 'TVD' Grace Phipps with Ross Lynch On 'Austin & Ally' New WTW Episode. Classicalite. April 12, 2014. May 8, 2016.
  24. Web site: Grace Phipps. Lauren. Cox. Hollywood Life. June 27, 2015.
  25. Web site: Disney Channel presents 'Teen Beach 2,' the highly anticipated sequel to its fun fantasy musical 'Teen Beach Movie'. New York Daily News. June 21, 2015.
  26. Web site: This First Look at Teen Beach Movie 2's Amazing '60s Fashion Will Have You Drooling – E! Online. June 19, 2015. E! Online. May 8, 2016.
  27. Web site: Nielsen ratings: 'Teen Beach 2,' BET Awards. June 30, 2015. USA Today. May 8, 2016.
  28. Web site: Q&A: Actor Spencer Breslin talks "Some Kind of Hate". Fangoria. July 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170816195653/http://www.fangoria.com/new/qa-actor-spencer-breslin-talks-some-kind-of-hate/. August 16, 2017. dead.
  29. Web site: Exclusive Some Kind of Hate Clip Goes to Lunch. September 11, 2015. Dread Central.
  30. Web site: 'You Wish' Cast: Where Are They Now?. J-14. May 18, 2015.
  31. Web site: Q&A: Actress Grace Phipps on "Some Kind of Hate". FANGORIA. May 8, 2016. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062956/http://www.fangoria.com/new/qa-actress-grace-phipps-on-some-kind-of-hate/. dead.
  32. Web site: 'Some Kind of Hate' Teaser Trailer Feminist Slasher Horror – Hollywood Reporter. Austin Siegemund-Broka. April 28, 2015. The Hollywood Reporter. May 8, 2016.
  33. Web site: Grace Phipps Talks Some Kind of Hate. Dread Central. September 22, 2015. May 8, 2016.
  34. Web site: 'Tales of Halloween' Review: Quantity Over Quality – Variety. Dennis. Harvey. Variety. October 20, 2015. May 8, 2016.
  35. Web site: Grace Phipps. CBS Interactive. TV.com. May 8, 2016.
  36. Web site: Exclusive: THN Talks to Grace Phipps for 'Dark Summer'. Kat. Hughes. April 13, 2015. The Hollywood News. May 8, 2016.
  37. Web site: Sneak a peek at our June/July issue starring Grace Phipps!. Girls' Life. May 1, 2015.
  38. Web site: CSI: Cyber "Selfie 2.0" Review (Season 1 Episode 8). Mark. Trammell. TV Equals. April 23, 2015 . May 8, 2016.
  39. Web site: Grace Phipps has been cast as "Sarge" for the upcoming fourth season of Z Nation.. tumblr. October 31, 2017.
  40. Web site: Grace Phipps. Billboard.com. May 8, 2016.
  41. Web site: Grace Phipps. Heather. Phares. AllMusic. May 8, 2016.
  42. Web site: Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners (Complete List). Headlines & Global News. May 8, 2016.
  43. BZ7M75thJbk. graciegillam. Lil @justjared on my name change. Link in muh bio xxo ‍♀️ #graciegillam. October 6, 2017. Gracie Gillam.
  44. BqLOcsCljbU. graciegillam. We forgot to ask the waiter to take our picture last night, but happy one year anniversary since saying "I love you" during a performance of 1600s era French love songs after 'Sleep No More.' Well that anniversary was last week, but whatever. You said it feels like you've known me forever. I feel very aware of the years I spent not knowing you, time spent with my heart freezing. Thank you for starting it melting my sweet "Haniel" baby.. November 14, 2018. Gracie Gillam.
  45. CY6enyvLbVf. graciegillam. 9 - Popping a demi bottle of Champagne after Nat popped the question (with a gorgeous Fox and Stone raw emerald ring). January 19, 2022. Gracie Gillam.
  46. CscxuZSOk1Y. graciegillam. This was one of the most intimate days I've ever been a part of and I loved every second of it heart.....Congrats Gracie + Nat! . May 19, 2023. Molly McPhoto.
  47. Web site: Belgium Charts – Soundtrack. Ultratop. May 30, 2011. June 4, 2011.
  48. Web site: Discographie Teen Beach Movie. lescharts.com. August 18, 2012. fr.
  49. Web site: Dutch charts – Soundtrack. dutchcharts.nl Mega Top. May 30, 2011. June 4, 2011.
  50. Web site: Chart history: New Zealand. August 18, 2012 . New Zealand Singles Chart / Hung Medien . charts.nz.
  51. Web site: Spanish albums charts – Soundtrack. spanishcharts.com Productores de Música de España. May 30, 2011. June 4, 2011.
  52. Web site: CHART: CLUK Update 27.07.2013 (wk29). Zobbel. October 17, 2012.
  53. Web site: Teen Beach Movie (Soundtrack) . iTunes Store . July 16, 2013 . August 12, 2013.
  54. Web site: Teen Beach 2. soundtrack.net.
  55. Songs of Ross Lynch on Billboard:
    • Hot 100: [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Ross Lynch|chart=Hot 100}} Billboard Hot 100]. Billboard . September 8, 2012 . September 13, 2012.
    • Bubbling Under Hot 100: [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Ross Lynch|chart=Bubbling Under Hot 100}} Bubbling Under Hot 100]. Billboard . May 13, 2010.
  56. List of Lynch's albums and singles on Billboard:
  57. Web site: Ireland Charts – Ross Lynch. Irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. April 24, 2011.
  58. Web site: Chart: CLUK Update 27.07.2013 (wk29). Zobbel. October 17, 2012.
  59. August 12, 2016. Grace Phipps Chart Billboard. billboard.com.
  60. August 12, 2016. Grace Phipps Chart Billboard. billboard.com.
  61. August 12, 2016. Grace Phipps Chart Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20210824221230/https://www.billboard.com/music/grace-phipps/chart-history/KDT. dead. August 24, 2021. billboard.com.
  62. Top Holiday Chart History. Billboard . May 13, 2010.