Wikipedia

Gracie Gillam

Gracie Gillam (also known as Grace Phipps; born 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.

Gracie Gillam
In 2019
Born (1992-05-04) May 4, 1992 (age 32)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Other namesGrace Phipps
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, dancer
Years active2010–present
Spouse
Nat Zang
​
(m. 2023)​

Early life

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Gillam 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] As of 2016, she was 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

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Acting

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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 CSI: Cyber 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

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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 Billboard's 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

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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

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Fright Night Bee
2013 The Signal Zoe Short
2015 Dark Summer Mona Wilson
Some Kind of Hate Kaitlin
Tales of Halloween Alice
2019 The Lost Weekend Maggie Mae Short
2021 Superhost Rebecca
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 The Nine Lives of Chloe King Amy Tiffany Martin Main role
2012–13 The Vampire Diaries April Young Recurring role
2013–15 Baby Daddy Megan Recurring role
2013 Teen Beach Movie Lela TV film; Disney Channel Original Movie
Supernatural Hael Episode: "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here"
2014 Austin & Ally Brandy Braxton Episode: "Directors & Divas"
2015 Hawaii Five-0 Erica Young Episode: "Wawahi moeʻuhane (Broken Dreams)"
2015 CSI: Cyber Vanessa Gillerman Episode: "Selfie 2.0"
Teen Beach 2 Lela TV film; Disney Channel Original Movie
Scream Queens Young Mandy Greenwell Recurring role
2017–18 Z Nation Sgt Lilly Main cast (Season 4–5)
2020 Stolen In Plain Sight Melissa TV film: Lifetime Movie Network Original Movie

Discography

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Soundtrack albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak
chart
positions
US
[47] 		US
OST
[47] 		BEL
[48] 		CAN
[47] 		FRA
[49] 		NL
[50] 		NZ
[51] 		SPA
[52] 		UK
[53]
Teen Beach Movie[54] 3 1 176 14 76 56 30 15 36
Teen Beach 2[55]
  • 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

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[56] 		US
Heat.
[47] 		IRL
[57] 		UK
[58]
"Cruisin' for a Bruisin'"
(with Ross Lynch & Jason Evigan) 		2013 82 6 90 117 Teen Beach Movie
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other charted songs

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List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US Bub.

[59]

US
Heat.
[60] 		US Kid

[61]

US
Holiday
[62] 		UK
[58]
"Like Me"
(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, & Spencer Lee) 		2013 1 10 3 — 177 Teen Beach Movie
"Falling For Ya" 23 25 2 — —
"Meant To Be"
(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Spencer Lee and Garrett Clayton) 		— — 5 — —
"Coolest Cats In Town"
(with Spencer Lee and Jason Evigan 		— — 20 — —
"Gotta Be Me"
(with Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell,Garrett Clayton, John DeLuca & Jordan Fisher) 		2015 23 — 3 — — Teen Beach 2
"Best Summer Ever"
(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.

References

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  1. ^ "New Kids On Your TV Block 2011: The Girls". Portrait Magazine. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Grace Phipps, Lee Grad Star". The Bugle Call. September 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  3. ^ "Jeanne Jakle: NESA grad is making friends in Hollywood". San Antonio Express-News. June 11, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  4. ^ "College Sweatshirt". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Las Casas competition awards college-bound performers". San Antonio Current.
  6. ^ a b "Jeanne Jakle: NESA grad is making friends in Hollywood". San Antonio Express-News. June 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "S.A.'s TV presence: Who's in, out?". San Antonio Express-News. May 13, 2014.
  8. ^ "Grace Phipps Bio". Alloy Entertainment.
  9. ^ "Meet Grace Phipps, Chloe King's BFF". Alloy Entertainment. May 23, 2011. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  10. ^ "Grace Phipps Joins Vampire Diaries For Season 4". CINEMABLEND. July 19, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Gorman, Bill (September 15, 2011). "'The Nine Lives Of Chloe King' Canceled By ABC Family". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011.
  12. ^ McGrath, Jenny (July 19, 2012). "Grace Phipps Cast as Vampire Diaries' New Character April". Wetpaint. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  13. ^ Ross, Robyn (July 19, 2012). "Grace Phipps Joins The Vampire Diaries". TVGuide.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  14. ^ "Disney's 'Teen Beach 2,' a Return to Sun and Bubble Gum". The New York Times. June 21, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  15. ^ a b "How the director of 'Some Kind of Hate' turned a Disney star into a slasher villain". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  16. ^ Lipke, David (July 18, 2013). "Disney Bets on the Sixties Look With 'Teen Beach Movie'". WWD. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  17. ^ "Surf's up again in Disney Channel's 'Teen Beach 2'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  18. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (August 11, 2013). "D23 Expo: 'Teen Beach Movie' Cast on Big Ratings, Getting Mobbed and Hopes for a Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  19. ^ "Grace Phipps: From The Vampire Diaries to Teen Beach Movie". Alloy Entertainment. July 23, 2013.
  20. ^ Philiana Ng (December 18, 2012). "'Vampire Diaries' Grace Phipps on 'Baby Daddy' – Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  21. ^ "ABC Family Casts Lacey Chabert and Grace Phipps to Guest Star in New Episodes of Original Series 'Baby Daddy'". TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  22. ^ a b Thompson, Heather (January 25, 2015). "TV Show Characters With Perfect Valentine's Day Hairstyle Ideas". Archived from the original on January 29, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  23. ^ a b "'Teen Beach Movie' Reunion: 'TVD' Grace Phipps with Ross Lynch On 'Austin & Ally' New WTW Episode". Classicalite. April 12, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  24. ^ Cox, Lauren (June 27, 2015). "Grace Phipps". Hollywood Life.
  25. ^ "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. ^ "This First Look at Teen Beach Movie 2's Amazing '60s Fashion Will Have You Drooling – E! Online". E! Online. June 19, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  27. ^ "Nielsen ratings: 'Teen Beach 2,' BET Awards". USA Today. June 30, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  28. ^ "Q&A: Actor Spencer Breslin talks "Some Kind of Hate"". Fangoria. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  29. ^ "Exclusive Some Kind of Hate Clip Goes to Lunch". Dread Central. September 11, 2015.
  30. ^ "'You Wish' Cast: Where Are They Now?". J-14. May 18, 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Q&A: Actress Grace Phipps on "Some Kind of Hate"". FANGORIA. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  32. ^ Austin Siegemund-Broka (April 28, 2015). "'Some Kind of Hate' Teaser Trailer Feminist Slasher Horror – Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  33. ^ "Grace Phipps Talks Some Kind of Hate". Dread Central. September 22, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  34. ^ Harvey, Dennis (October 20, 2015). "'Tales of Halloween' Review: Quantity Over Quality – Variety". Variety. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  35. ^ "Grace Phipps". TV.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  36. ^ Hughes, Kat (April 13, 2015). "Exclusive: THN Talks to Grace Phipps for 'Dark Summer'". The Hollywood News. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  37. ^ "Sneak a peek at our June/July issue starring Grace Phipps!". Girls' Life. May 1, 2015.
  38. ^ Trammell, Mark (April 23, 2015). "CSI: Cyber "Selfie 2.0" Review (Season 1 Episode 8)". TV Equals. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  39. ^ "Grace Phipps has been cast as "Sarge" for the upcoming fourth season of Z Nation". tumblr. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  40. ^ a b "Grace Phipps". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  41. ^ Phares, Heather. "Grace Phipps". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  42. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners (Complete List)". Headlines & Global News. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  43. ^ Gracie Gillam [@graciegillam] (October 6, 2017). "Lil @justjared on my name change. Link in muh bio xxo 🙆🏻🍦💚🍋🍟🤦🏻‍♀️🍑🎃🍯🕳 #graciegillam" – via Instagram.
  44. ^ Gracie Gillam [@graciegillam] (November 14, 2018). "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" – via Instagram.
  45. ^ Gracie Gillam [@graciegillam] (January 19, 2022). "9 - Popping a demi bottle of Champagne after Nat popped the question (with a gorgeous Fox and Stone raw emerald ring)" – via Instagram.
  46. ^ Molly McPhoto [@graciegillam] (May 19, 2023). "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! 💖" – via Instagram.
  47. ^ a b c d List of Lynch's albums and singles on Billboard:
  48. ^ "Belgium Charts – Soundtrack". Ultratop. May 30, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  49. ^ "Discographie Teen Beach Movie" (in French). lescharts.com. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  50. ^ "Dutch charts – Soundtrack". dutchcharts.nl Mega Top. May 30, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  51. ^ "Chart history: New Zealand". charts.nz. New Zealand Singles Chart / Hung Medien. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  52. ^ "Spanish albums charts – Soundtrack". spanishcharts.com Productores de Música de España. May 30, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  53. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 27.07.2013 (wk29)". Zobbel. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  54. ^ "Teen Beach Movie (Soundtrack)". iTunes Store. July 16, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2013.
  55. ^ "Teen Beach 2". soundtrack.net.
  56. ^ Songs of Ross Lynch on Billboard:
  57. ^ "Ireland Charts – Ross Lynch". Irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
  58. ^ a b "Chart: CLUK Update 27.07.2013 (wk29)". Zobbel. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  59. ^ "Grace Phipps Chart | Billboard". billboard.com. August 12, 2016.
  60. ^ "Grace Phipps Chart | Billboard". billboard.com. August 12, 2016.
  61. ^ "Grace Phipps Chart | Billboard". billboard.com. August 12, 2016. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021.
  62. ^ "Top Holiday Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 13, 2010.
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