After signing withPhoto Finish Records in 2020, Grace released her debut single, "Haunted House", in 2021, as part of theGhostbusters: Afterlife soundtrack. She released two extended plays in 2023:Bittersweet 16 andAutumn Leaves, which exploredpop rock andfolk sounds, respectively.
Grace was born on June 25, 2006,[1] inGrapevine, Texas.[2] She is the only child of Ross Burge, anorthopedic surgeon, and Crystal Grace, a medical sales representative.[3][4][5] As a young child, she lived inDallas-Fort Worth.[5] She trained in cheerleading, gymnastics, tap, and ballet. She participated inbeauty pageants, where she was crowned "Tiny Miss Texas".[2] Grace has never attended a regular school; she has beenhomeschooled and had on-set tutors.[5] In 2017, Grace stated she was attending a creative writing workshop with other homeschooled students once a week.[3] She took a college course on media aesthetics in 2021, in which she had to repeatedly write aboutThe Handmaid's Tale without mentioning her own work on the show.[6]
Grace first expressed interest in acting at age four, after she received a collection of DVD films starringShirley Temple from her great-grandmother. Grace's acting teacher, who wasMorgan Fairchild's sister, advised that she should sign with an agent.[5] Grace secured her first part in a commercial at the age of five.[7] Her agent later recommended traveling to Los Angeles to see if she might land roles in films and television shows. After Grace secured parts inCrash & Bernstein (2012–2014) andGoodbye World (2013), her family moved to the city, with her father having aresidency inVentura.[5]
Grace made her acting debut inDisney XD'sCrash & Bernstein, recurring as Jasmine Bernstein.[8][9] She reprised her role in the show's second season,[10] playing the role until 2014.[11] During this time, she made a guest appearance on theFox sitcomThe Goodwin Games.[12] In 2013, she made her film debut inGoodbye World,[13] a comedy-drama that disappointed critics.[14] Between 2013 and 2015, she had a recurring role asFaith Newman on the soap operaThe Young and the Restless.[15] In 2015, Grace portrayed youngCaroline Forbes inThe Vampire Diaries.[16]TVLine included her appearance in a list of the best flashback castings on television: "It's one thing to look like the younger version of a character, but Grace even cried like Caroline".[17] Grace appeared in three films released in 2016—Mr. Church,[18]The Angry Birds Movie,[19] andIndependence Day: Resurgence[9]—all of which received negative reviews.[20][21][22]
In September 2015, Grace joined the cast of the drama filmGifted (2017),[23] which tells the story of Mary Adler (Grace), anintellectually gifted seven-year-old. She was selected for her "childlike charm yet old-soul maturity" and chemistry with co-starChris Evans.[24][25] She prepared for her role by watching several films about child prodigies, includingI Am Sam (2001) andIn America (2002). Grace used songwriting to help remember the complex mathematical problems that Mary solves in the film.[3] It became her breakthrough role.[26][27][28]Richard Roeper of theChicago Sun-Times found her to be "an irresistible force", praising her scenes with Evans as "sensational".[29] For her performance, Grace received a nomination for theCritics' Choice Movie Award forBest Young Performer.[30]
Grace portrayed the younger version ofTonya Harding in the biopicI, Tonya (2017).[31][32] She said it was the most difficult role she had ever undertaken physically due to having to learn to ice skate.[33] As Harding was a skilled jumper from a young age, Grace had adouble who performed the spins, jump combinations, and doublelutz in the film.[34]I, Tonya was well received by reviewers, with particular praise for its cast's performances.[35] Writing forRogerEbert.com, the film criticChristy Lemire complimented Grace's portrayal of Harding's angst and heartache.[36]
Grace appeared in the 2018 horror dramaThe Bad Seed, a remake ofthe 1956 film of the same name, itself an adaptation ofWilliam March's1954 novel. She portrays Emma Grossman, a girl who murders anyone who crosses her.[37] Grace, who had longed to play a horror villain, was excited by the opportunity. In preparation for the role, she watched the 1956 film and focused on emulating the mannerisms ofRhoda Penmark (that film's version of Emma), including her gait and facials; Grace also consultedPatty McCormack, who played Rhoda in the 1956 film.[38] UponThe Bad Seed's September 2018 premiere onLifetime, critics commended her performance.[39][40] According toThe Hollywood Reporter, Grace's ability to be "unnerving, sweet and occasionally funny" is key to the success or failure ofThe Bad Seed, and "she nails every beat";[41] similarly,The A.V. Club lauded her portrayal of "the calculatedness of Emma's demeanor while giving a giggly edge to lines".[42]
In 2018, Grace starred inNetflix's horror seriesThe Haunting of Hill House.[12] To prepare for the role of young Theodora "Theo" Crain, she dyed her hair dark brown.[38]The Haunting of Hill House, and its performances, received praise from critics.[43]Now opined that she played the role with "wisdom way beyond her years".[44] In the same year, she made a guest appearance on thesupernatural horror showChilling Adventures of Sabrina's holiday special entitled "A Midwinter's Tale". Grace played a younger version ofthe titular character, who is portrayed byKiernan Shipka as a teenager.[45] According to the series creator,Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Shipka immediately suggested Grace for the role after hearing a pre-teen Sabrina would appear on the show.[46] During this time, she began recurring on theCBS sitcomYoung Sheldon asPaige Swanson, a child prodigy and rival tothe titular character.[47][48]
Grace appeared in three films released in 2019. The first of these was a comedy-drama titledTroop Zero, which features Grace as a misfit girl who wants to send messages to space and enters a nationwide competition alongside a group of Birdie Scouts.[49] ForTroop Zero, she cut her hair asymmetrically, with one side near her shoulder and the other by her chin. Grace also tried not to wash her hair or maintain herself too well since she wanted to appear crazy like her character.[38] Critics were generally favorable in their reviews of the film and lauded the cast.[50]Variety described her as a "magnetic young performer",[51] whileThe A.V. Club found her approach to her character "refreshingly non-intuitive", noting her portrayal of the feelings of loss through excitement rather than misery.[52] Grace next portrayed a 13-year-old version ofthe eponymous character in the superhero filmCaptain Marvel.[53][54] The film was a critical and commercial success,[53][55] grossing over $1.1 billion and ranking among thehighest-grossing films of all time.[55][56]
Grace's final release of 2019 was the supernatural horror filmAnnabelle Comes Home, which became the seventh installment inThe Conjuring Universe.[57] She starred as Judy Warren, daughter of the paranormal investigatorsEd and Lorraine Warren.[58] The directorGary Dauberman stated he was "very, very fortunate and very, very happy" to cast Grace, citing her professionalism and talent.[59] Upon release,Annabelle Comes Home grossed over $231 million and received mixed reviews;[60][61] Grace's performance was praised, however.[62][63][64] According toThe New York Observer, the "terrific" Grace had her own unique interpretation of the "horror movie kid" cliché that suits the "twisted age in which we find ourselves".[65] She also voiced the youngerDaphne Blake in 2020'sScoob!.[66] She was set to reprise the role in the follow-upScoob! Holiday Haunt, which was canceled in August 2022.[67][68]
In 2021, Grace began recurring on theHulu dystopian seriesThe Handmaid's Tale, an adaptation ofthe 1985 novel of the same name, as Esther Keyes, an intelligent and rebellious 14-year-old who has been abused,raped, andmarried off to an older Commander.[69][70] She was selected for her ability to portray scariness and awfulness.[71] Grace said that it was vital for someone the same age as the character play the part since all the abuse Esther endured was experienced by many 14-year-olds on a daily basis: "If it makes people upset or uncomfortable that an actual 14-year-old is having to talk about how she was raped and it'sacting, then maybe that will make you want to do something for actual girls who are going through this."[6] Theshow's fourth season premiered on April 27, 2021, to positive reviews.[72]Entertainment Weekly commented that Grace had "a memorable turn as a tyrannical child bride",[73] andDen of Geek commended her "remarkable self-possession".[74] At the73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Grace received a nomination forOutstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, making her the tenth youngest actor nominated at the Emmys and the first child recognized for a guest acting award.[75]
In 2021, Grace voiced a silly and energetic horserider in theDreamWorks animated filmSpirit Untamed and played the young version ofAnnabelle Wallis's character in the horror filmMalignant.[12][76] Grace had a leading role as Phoebe Spengler in the supernatural comedyGhostbusters: Afterlife (2021), the sequel toGhostbusters (1984) andGhostbusters II (1989).[77][78] For the role, she cut and dyed her hair.[79] The film was released theatrically on November 19, 2021,[80] and became a moderate commercial success, grossing over $204 million on a budget of $75 million.[81][82] Critics were generally ambivalent towards the film, though they commended Grace's performance.[83][84]Mark Feeney ofThe Boston Globe asserted that "[Ghostbusters: Afterlife] has its moments, most of them owing to a quite-phenomenal Mckenna Grace",[85] andGizmodo considered her performance "instantly unforgettable[,] ... truly revelatory, [and] star-making".[86] Grace was nominated for theCritics' Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie.[87]
At the start of theCOVID-19 pandemic in 2020, filming forThe Handmaid's Tale halted. Grace and her father decided to write a follow-up toThe Bad Seed, knowing that Lifetime wanted to air a sequel. He wrote the general structure of the film while she gave feedback, primarily on the dialogue.[88] According to Lifetime's executive vice president Tanya Lopez, the network was "blown away" by Grace's concept for the sequel.[89] Grace, who reprised her role as Emma, found acting her own script to be a unique experience: "It wasn't my interpretation of someone else's writing or character ... It was me being able to act out the scenes as I had envisioned them."[8] The film, titledThe Bad Seed Returns, premiered on Lifetime on September 5, 2022.[90] It was the first project produced by Grace's company, Beautiful Ghosts Productions, with her also serving as executive producer.[89] In the same month, Grace reprised her role as Esther in the fifth season ofThe Handmaid's Tale.Den of Geek favorably compared her screams in the season's sixth episode[a] to those ofLinda Blair inThe Exorcist (1973), stating they "distilled seasons ofThe Handmaid’s Tale's protest [against misogyny] into one primal outburst".[92]
In March 2022, Grace joined the cast ofPeacock'strue crime miniseriesA Friend of the Family asJan Broberg[93]—who was kidnapped twice and sexually abused by a family friend as a child[94]—sharing the role withHendrix Yancey. While filming, Grace tried to spend as much time with Yancey as she could and copied her mannerisms and smile.[95] Grace also worked alongside Broberg, who produced the show; the two discussed subtle gestures to show stress, such as nail biting.[96] Grace described the role as "really emotionally and sometimes physically exhausting"; she had to push herself to new limits, and blend three versions of Broberg (her own, Yancey's, and the real-life Broberg).[97]A Friend of the Family premiered on October 6, 2022, to positive critical reviews;[98]Common Sense Media argued that "Grace does a terrific job conveying the mixture of vulnerability and growing dread her character is experiencing".[99]
The following year, Grace starred in thescience fiction adventure filmCrater, playing Addison, the daughter of a respected scientist from Earth.[100] Grace decided to sign onto the film after the screenplay made her cry. She described it as "really special", admiring its ending, heart, dialogue, and the relationships between the characters.[101]Crater was released onDisney+ on May 12, 2023,[102] to generally positive reviews.[103] Articles inEntertainment.ie andVariety considered Grace to be the film's finest performer.[104][105] Later that year, she ledPAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which is based on thetitular television series, as the voice of Skye.[106][107]
Grace reprised her role as Phoebe inGhostbusters: Frozen Empire, which was released in March 2024.[108] In preparation, Grace analyzedHarold Ramis's performance as Egon Spengler, which she described as her "biggest inspiration".[79]The New York Observer critic Emily Zemler wrote that she "is very compelling and should have been allowed to properly lead the film".[109]Frank Scheck ofThe Hollywood Reporter saidFrozen Empire indicates that she could become "the [Ghostbusters] franchise's MVP".[110] In 2025, Grace starred in the drama filmWhat We Hide,[111] Amy Wang'ssatirical dramaSlanted,[112] theromantic dramaRegretting You, based onColleen Hoover's novel,[113] and thethriller filmAnniversary.[114] The third of these was panned by critics,[115][116] though they praised the performances of Grace and co-starMason Thames.[117] A review inSlant Magazine identified her as the "lone bright spot" of the film and commended her "recognizably real" portrayal of her character's vulnerability and naivety.[118]
Grace is known for portraying younger versions of lead characters.[121] In 2018,IndieWire cited Grace as one of the best child television actors at the time.[122]The Hollywood Reporter named her one of the top 30 stars under age 18 in 2018 and 2019.[123][124] The following year, theHollywood Critics Association included Grace in a list of the "Next Generation of Hollywood".[125] In 2022,Yahoo! Entertainment called her "one of the most successful and prolific child actors of her generation",[126] and a 2025V story dubbed her "one of the most versatile and accomplished young actors today", highlighting her roles in bothblockbusters and drama films.[127] Following several roles in horror projects, includingThe Bad Seed andAnnabelle Comes Home,TheWrap dubbed her ascream queen.[128] According toThe Independent, Grace has "become a staple of the modern horror genre".[129]
Commenting on Grace's performance inGifted, Bill Goodykoontz ofUSA Today described her as "the rare child actor who doesn't seem like she's trying to hit emotional marks".[130]Marc Webb, who directed Grace inGifted, praised her comedic timing, which he described as "a different kind of sophistication that is very deep and very pure and really sincere".[131] Grace stated that when acting in more dramatic and intense scenes, she "tricks" herself into feeling emotions, and "then you have to figure out how to disassociate it from your real emotions".[132] She described acting intense feelings, such as fury and hatred, as "just something that happens" and a mix of research and intuition. To connect to characters and give them more depth, Grace composes music and creates playlists that she listens to while on set.[133][unreliable source?] Of her role choices, Grace commented that she aims to act in projects in which she can tell "important stories" that have genuine meaning to her.[7][97]
Grace signed withPhoto Finish Records in 2020 and released her debut single, "Haunted House", alongside a music video in November 2021. She co-wrote the song alongside Lily Kincade, withNathaniel Motte as producer. Grace explained that the song was written during a rough period of her life in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that one "could take it as a breakup song, but it could also be about a friend or a family member or any kind of relationship that's ended".[134]NPR wrote that the song "has some surprising twists and turns and spells out the beginnings of an exciting new career for Mckenna Grace".[135] While not originally written forGhostbusters: Afterlife, the song was eventually added to the film's soundtrack and used for the closing credits.[134]
Grace released her second and third singles, "Do All My Friends Hate Me?" and "You Ruined Nirvana", in 2022.[136][137] On November 18, 2022, she released "Self Dysmorphia", which was inspired by her struggles withscoliosis.[7] On putting out the single, Grace said, "it's a little bit weird to put these deeply personal thoughts and struggles out into the world. But, hopefully, ... people who are going through the same thing will feel less alone."[132] She also performed the song onThe Today Show in December 2022.[138] Preceded by the songs "Post Party Trauma",[139] "Ugly Crier",[140] and "Checkered Vans",[141] Grace's debutextended play (EP), titledBittersweet 16, was released on March 3, 2023.[142] She wanted to write a full-length album, but Photo Finish suggested she begin with an EP.[7] Later that year, she recorded the single "Bark to the Beat" for thePAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie soundtrack.[143][144] Grace's second EP,Autumn Leaves, was released on October 13, 2023.[145] According toBillboard, its single "Catch Me" showcases her skills in storytelling and "woozy, richly textured pop" music.[146] Grace has since released the songs "Natalie",[147] "Gentleman",[148] and "Swim Team", and performed at the music festivalLollapalooza.[149][150]
Grace cites American singersLana Del Rey (left) andTaylor Swift (right) as her main musical influences.
Growing up, Grace listened to a variety of genres, includingheavy metal andrap, and artists, includingTaylor Swift andKorn.[142] She identified Swift andLana Del Rey as her key music influences because of their storytelling and the relatable, vivid imagery in their lyrics.[151] She was inspired to begin playing the ukulele after watching the singer and ukulele playerGrace Vanderwaal winAmerica's Got Talent in 2016.[7] Grace decided to start writing her own music after listening and emotionally connecting toConan Gray's albumKid Krow (2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Bittersweet 16's sound was primarily influenced byRadiohead,Hole, andRoar; its emotional rawness took inspiration fromMitski.[142]
Bittersweet 16 has apop rock andpop-punk sound,[151][152][147] with its songs discussing themes of heartache,body image, andsocial anxiety.[142]Autumn Leaves, on the other hand, explores thefolk genre and focuses on the subject of young heartbreak.[146][147] Grace has called her own sound "kind of pop-ish" but does not want to "say [she is] a certain music genre and sound cringy".[7] According toMTV News, her songs prefer "theatricality without bombast to tell her story".[140] She considers songwriting her "therapy" and uses it as a way to express all of her emotions, both positive and negative.[151]
Grace stated in 2022 that she prefers to maintain a more private personal life to ensure she "can have a childhood and figure [herself] out as a teenager";[132] her mother described their home life as "extremely normal".[5] Grace said she separates herself from her characters by spending time with her family and dog.[132] She is active on the social networking servicesInstagram, Twitter, andTikTok. As of 2021, Grace's mother managed accounts on the former two and approved Grace's posts on TikTok. According toVariety, Grace's carefully monitored social media had an additional layer of self-protection since it lacked the "everyday, confessional transparency" that was the standard for her generation. Grace has stated that, as a young female in the film industry, there will inevitably be "very disturbing and gross" remarks directed towards her.[5] She is avegetarian.[153]
Grace was diagnosed withscoliosis at age 12.[154] While filmingGhostbusters: Afterlife, she wore aback brace to correct her spine, but found it uncomfortable and "ended up not wearing it as much as [she] should have"[7] due to her shooting schedule, she was only able to wear it for the night instead of the intended 22 hours a day.[79] After her spinal curvature surpassed 45 degrees, she was required to have surgery to prevent it from impacting her lungs.[7] In October 2022, she underwent spinal surgery, which reduced the curvature to six degrees.[132]
According to the review aggregator siteRotten Tomatoes, Grace's most critically acclaimed films includeFrankenstein (2015),Gifted (2017),I, Tonya (2017),Captain Marvel (2019),Troop Zero (2019),Annabelle Comes Home (2019),Crater (2023),Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023),What We Hide (2025), andSlanted (2025).[19]
^In this episode, Esther learns she is pregnant after being raped. Aunt Lydia feels sorry for her, but Esther gets angry at her since she left her alone with her rapist.[91]
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