Carlacia Grant
Dress by Byblos Official
Hat by Moschino
Carlacia Grant is an actress based in Los Angeles, CA. Previously she was in the Emmy-nominated limited series "Roots" and “The Resident.” She is also well known for her role as Danielle Turner on the series "Greenleaf." Carlacia is best known for her breakout role of Cleo in the second season of the Netflix Hit Series "Outer Banks.”
Left:
Dress by ANИAKIKI
Earrings by Moschino
Sunglasses by Balenciaga
Shoes by Moschino
Right:
Top by ANИAKIKI
Pants by VEGAN TIGER
Shoes by Balenciaga
How did you get into acting?
I’ve always wanted to be an actor. I went to theatre camp when I was 13, and ever since my first play, I knew what I wanted to do. I grew up close to Miami Beach, and I went to almost any audition I could find. I’ve been pursuing and continuing ever since.
What do you like the most about acting?
Its limitless because I get to be whoever I want in whatever century, year, or stratosphere. It’s fun.
Left:
Top by ANИAKIKI
Pants by VEGAN TIGER
Shoes by Balenciaga
Right:
Dress by ANИAKIKI
Earrings by Moschino
Sunglasses by Balenciaga
How does your family background as a Haitian-Jamaican-American influence your work and set you apart?
The influence of coming from an immigrant family gave me my work ethic, and I get to throw a little island girl in the mix with everything I do whether it be my spicy personality or just everyday lingo.
You were well-traveled growing up. Where did your upbringing take you to, and what places had the biggest impact on you?
I’ve lived along the east coast at various times of my life, but the summer I spent in Paris has had the biggest impact on me. It was the first time I traveled abroad without my parents and had to acclimate and immerse myself in a completely different culture was really rewarding for me.
Left:
Dress by Byblos Official
Hat by Moschino
Right:
Dress by ANИAKIKI
Earrings by Moschino
Sunglasses by Balenciaga
Tell us about playing Cleo in “Outer Banks”?
Playing Cleo is one of the greatest joys of my life. She’s so much fun and has so much energy, and she inspires me. The big character arc of Cleo from season two to three is multidimensional. I love to represent my culture and highlight a different part of the world to the masses.
How did you prepare for the role?
I spent countless hours on YouTube doing research on Bahamian dialect and slang as well as speaking with my Haitian/Bahamian godmother, really trying to grasp the cultural side to Cleo.
Top by SAINT LAURENT
Bottoms by ANИAKIKI
What’s challenging about bringing a script to life?
Specifically, on TV shows, you don’t really know how your character evolves yet or changes throughout the story, so you have the job of filling in the blanks until you read the scripts for future episodes.
Anything you can tell us about the new season?
This is truly our best season. One of the key things about this season is a lot of unanswered questions from the first two seasons have their answers, the stakes are at its highest, and it’s definitely a wild ride to say the least.
Left:
Dress by ANИAKIKI
Right:
Dress by Byblos Official
Hat by Moschino
What do you hope to achieve in the long term as an actor?
Long term, I would like to be a producing actress and be able to have the opportunity to give my creative two cents in the film world, but I also hope to give a voice to the voiceless and be able to be the visual representation, inspiration, and role model that I always wanted to see growing up.
Who is your inspiration?
My biggest inspirations in the acting world would be Angela Bassett, Regina King, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, among others. As a Black woman, seeing women who look like me, while dominating the industry, was extremely inspirational. It made me feel like I could do anything and could emulate that one day. But, overall, my everyday inspirations would for sure be my family: my mom, dad, grandma and everyone who built me up to be the person I am to this day.
Left:
Dress by ANИAKIKI
Earrings by Moschino
Sunglasses by Balenciaga
Shoes by Moschino
Right:
Top by ANИAKIKI
Pants by VEGAN TIGER
What message would you want to give to your fans?
Just be unapologetically yourself. Life is too short not to live the way you want, express yourself, do what you love and live everyday like there is no tomorrow.
Social Media.
Instagram: @carlaciagrant
Top by SAINT LAURENT
Bottoms by ANИAKIKI
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Carlacia Grant
Photographer: Sequoia Emmanuelle
Fashion Stylist: Melvin Sanders
Hair: Pavy Olivarez
Makeup: Sean Harris at The Only Agency
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Jefe
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Amanda Farabow, Contributor PhotoBook Magazine
SHOP THE LOOK: CARLACIA GRANT
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