Meet Elizabeth Gray | Business Owner, Actor & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Gray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from right outside Springdale, Arkansas, in the Ozark Mountains. Growing up have such fond memories connected to music and the arts. From going to the local Grape Festival and listening to live, local music, to attending plays at the community theater nearby, it instilled a strong connection to creativity and art. My entire family has a very strong drive to succeed, including having multiple entrepreneurs, and people excelling in their fields, and that was certainly passed down to me. To work at anything I do with maximum effort. With having both parents that were chronically ill it taught me from a young age to be compassionate and understanding to everyone. I grew up having health problems as well which caused me to spend a lot of time in bed, often watching movies. I felt such a strong connection to movies that were a bright spot during those days as well as watching fashion shows from every designer I could find. I wanted to be part of the film process, to hopefully make something that people would enjoy as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The journey of being a creative has by far been a bit of a bumpy ride. When I was in college I had originally started as a music major but changed as it was discouraged to obtain a degree in something “more reliable” as well as I could not keep up with the rehearsal schedule while having to work full time in college. After changing my major I kept writing and playing music for fun and creating social media posts for a non profit as a way to express some creativity while taking pop up dance classes when I could. Toward the end of college I started pursuing print and runway modeling. During that time, I was published for the first couple times as well as walked in my first fashion shows. I continued to pursue modeling on the weekends and continued to run the same non profits social media while I was in my first “adult” job as well as started grad school in the field I was working in. It was exhausting some points but I thought that was what I was supposed to do. Have a job that somewhat paid bills then spend the weekends being creative. The job that I was working had limits on what I could personally post on social media, which as an independent creative, the main way that I network and apply for opportunities is through social, so this made it more difficult. Then True Detective season three started filming where I was living and I had the opportunity to work several days on set driving background cars that fit into the time period and I was enamored with how everything worked on a film set. It showed me that creative jobs were in reach. I kept working my regular job and going to grad school because I felt like it was the right and stable thing to do. I had an event happen at my job where I realized how I was extremely burnt out as well as having issues with managing my chronic illnesses, and realized I needed to change direction. I started researching social media jobs and how to utilize those skills. I worked my way out of my stable job with freelance opportunities including working for a marketing agency out of Boston and working for a friend in the event management industry. Even though I was working more hours, I felt more fulfilled at the start. I was able to pursue modeling more consistently again and was slowly learning how to make connections and work on film projects. Now, I have several amazing social media clients, and have a couple of consistent gigs as a performer. Working as a print and runway model. Taking film projects in the in-between, in front of and behind the camera. My health has been a setback at different points in time as well, but with the flexibility with work it allowed me to work to manage my illnesses better. One of the biggest lessons learned has been to not let other people dictate what is best in your life, even if they have the best intentions. What is meant to be will always find a way, and to keep your eyes open for opportunity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many amazing places to check out! Here’s how I’d spend a few great days in the area:

Start the time in Fort Worth:
Grab coffee at Cherry Coffee on Magnolia Avenue, then explore the local shops along Magnolia. Enjoy brunch at Brewed, and spend the rest of the day in the neighborhood. For dinner, don’t miss Heim BBQ.

Visiting Denton:
Drive up to the Denton Square and be sure to visit Plot Twist for books and a mocktail. Explore the shops, find a great spot to eat around the square, and stop by D20 for coffee or a drink while playing some games.

Relax by the pool:
Use ResortPass to spend a relaxing day at either The Statler or Virgin Hotels pool—perfect for cooling off.

Enjoy nature and great food:
The Dallas Arboretum is a must-see, and afterward, head to El Vecino for a delicious meal.

Experience nightlife and fun:
Spend an evening in Lower Greenville enjoying live music and drinks. Make sure to check out Cidercade for games and a fun atmosphere that could be enjoyed together.

These are just a few of my favorite ways to experience DFW.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Only one? Haha, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have people at different points in my life who have profoundly impacted my life at different times. For example, my dance studio growing up, Rhythm and Shoes, found a way to keep me dancing when they saw my passion for it, even during times when my family couldn’t afford lessons. Then there’s Bryan Hill, a director who gave me my first opportunity in front of a film camera and truly believed in me. And of course, my mom, who always encouraged me to finish what I started and insisted that I pursue music and the arts when I was a kid. Each of these people has played a unique and important role in shaping who I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelizabeth_marie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thelizabethmarie

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11774118

@thelizabeth_marie

email: thelizabethmarie@gmail.com

Image Credits
personal photo by Jacinta Bernard Photography

First additional photo: Emilio Ramos

Red Dress photo: Daejziasphotography

Behind the scenes photo: Justin Dunlap