Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Grey.
Alexandra, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I’m 27. I grew up on the south side of Chicago most of my life. In and out of several different foster homes. My childhood was not as some may say “normal.” After years of physical and mental abuse, I told myself I have to make something of my life or else all of this would’ve been for no reason. I had to find out what my purpose in life was. After college, I decided that this thing that I have been battling with my entire life, my sexuality. Now that I was free from all of the dysfunction of what was my life for 19 years, I finally started to work on me. I transitioned at 20. And I begin living my life as a woman. Of course, that was met with some resistance when it came to family. I have subsequently disowned it and basically left you to figure out what my new life is going to be alone. I sold every last thing I had and bought a one-way ticket to LA and the rest is history. I lived homeless for the first year, in and out of shelters and eventually a transitional living program which allowed me to finish college and finally take that step towards my own independence.
All throughout this time, I was doing background work on several different shows and a lot of different movies and films. It was in college studying theater that really taught me all of the essentials of what it meant to be an actor. After years of getting on my feet and figuring out this new life, I finally got my first break when I was cast in the third season of Amazons ‘Transparent.’ From then on, everything changed for me. I had a very big audition with Lee Daniels, and in this audition he made me realize my own potential. Even though I didn’t get that role he told me and quoted, “I’m going to find something for you “literally the next six months I ended up booking six Prime Time guest star roles and a number of other bookings. I realized my potential.
And on another hand, I was finally starting to realize what my purpose was in this world. After appearing on these shows, I started receiving messages from young trans boys and girls telling me how after seeing me on television made them want to keep going despite everything that they had been facing in their individual lives. And that’s my goal and that’s my dream is to be some sort of inspiration of possibility. It’s been years since I’ve spoken to some of my family, but I wouldn’t trade any of my life experiences. Because it was so worth it. I am not only a happier healthier person because I chose to live my truth, but I’m giving hope and courage to a group of marginalized individuals who need to see that anything is possible.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There are several challenges that continue to get in the way of me reaching my dreams. That being society telling me that who I was and what I chose to be was not acceptable. Family and friends walking away from me because they didn’t understand me. They’ll be those people along your journey who don’t wish you well, they’ll be those people who only want to secure their seat at the table. So, it’s very important to make sure you know who you are along your path. I guess the only advice I would give to women who are just starting out on their journey whether that is a career, lifestyle, anything. I would say to you there is no roadmap. You just have to get up, figure out exactly what it is that you want out of this life and go after it. For those wanting to get into entertainment become your own brand, make a name for yourself, utilize the platforms that are now assessable too many who have created careers through the internet. know that what you have is special and know that there is another young woman coming up under you who is going to need your advice and he’s going to need your wisdom and your courage to let that be your driving force.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
Know that there is another young woman coming up under you who is going to need your advice and she’s going to need your wisdom and your courage to let that be your driving force.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I would say for me growing up, I always tried to take the negative experiences and make them into positives. I always equated success with “I’m going to show you.” It was always my way of taking control of the situation and of my own destiny. When I was having trouble in my foster homes, I made sure I got on every last activity in high school. I made sure I was the fastest on the track team. I made sure I graduated with honors and that I became this person who is creating a better life early on. I let those experiences from my childhood be my footstool and help me get to where I am now. That’s why it’s so important to never live with regret. Because every single experience you will go through in life is setting you up for your destiny. It’s God putting you write exactly where you’re supposed to be. I couldn’t possibly look back on my experiences and be upset about anything as tragic as things have been for me. Losing my mom at ten, growing up in eight foster homes, being sexually abused in high school. Being disowned by my family for being gay, then being trans, and then being homeless and then black in America. Sounds pretty crazy right? But I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s. Because I am better, I am stronger and that’s the way you got a look at all of your experiences in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm4889845/?ref_=rvi_nm
- Email: alexandragrey.bookings@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandragreyofficial/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002475403315
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/1alexandragrey?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Image Credit:
Aaron Jay Young, Maurise Jayson
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