We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabrielle Grezlie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabrielle below.

Gabrielle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I grew up around the most creative artistic environment ever with my mother as an opera singer and model, and fashion designer, and a father who was truly a talented artist. When my mom first introduced me to classical piano and ballet, I knew I had a future in entertainment. And as soon as I stepped into my Grammy winning cousin’s studio, I felt like this was my path.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I go by Femme de Gabrielle and I was inspired to pursue the world of entertainment from a very young age. I was always a creative girl, participating in drama club, the poetry club and taking classes at Eileen Kauffman and Ballet Hispanico school. I was most inspired watching my mom sing classical opera at Cafe Taci, a club in New York. My weekends were so much fun, because if I wasn’t playing at piano recitals, I was at that club. My mom started me on piano as a way of discipline so it wasn’t necessarily for entertainment purposes, however I grew to love it. Now if we fast forward to now, i just learned to grow within all aspects of creativity. I started to model because I was in love with fashion, and that’s what brought about various brand collaborations. I fell in love with makeup when I was booked as a demo presentation model at Tom Ford’s NYFW. I was just in love with the colors, and the way it enhanced my facial figures. As far as this entertainment goes, I love being a character other than myself. Or should I say im displaying various different sides of me? I love waking up and dancing to amazing beats. I love to wake up and put together an outfit, mixing patterns and solidifying something polished. I love acting. Creativity gives me the fuel to operate on a daily basis.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Waking up in the morning with the power to create is a rewarding aspect. When you’re driven by a passion to get on the keyboard and just play notes, it fuels your entire day. Once I step outside my door I hear the notes and rhythms I play. Or if it is a fashion day, I feel happy and confident in an outfit that I styled. In my dreams i see color, I see various different fabrics and patterns, and it’s a dream to make that into a reality.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the moments that truly tested my resilience was the sudden, devastating loss of my father, Paul Christopher Horton, who was tragically taken from us by someone we trusted. It made national headlines, and suddenly the world seemed to expect me to step into the spotlight and respond. He was murdered by his own brother Dino Horton. But the truth is, I wasn’t ready. I had no words. I was still trying to process the shock, the grief, and the unimaginable sense of losing a piece of myself.
At the same time, my life was already complicated—balancing a demanding career, navigating ongoing family challenges, and working through past traumas. It felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me, and yet, the world wanted an explanation, a statement, a composed reaction. I realized quickly that resilience isn’t about performing strength for others; it’s about allowing yourself to feel everything and still find a way to keep going.
I took the time I needed to grieve privately, to honor my father, and to heal at my own pace. Leaning into my creative work became a lifeline, a way to process the pain, channel my emotions, and turn them into something meaningful. Over time, I found the courage to speak about my experience—not because I had all the answers, but because I realized that sharing even a piece of my story could resonate, heal, and connect with others.
That experience taught me that resilience is quiet, patient, and sometimes invisible. It’s not about the absence of pain, but about showing up for yourself, even when life feels unbearable. It’s about taking your grief, your fear, and your chaos, and transforming it into growth, creativity, and compassion. Losing my father reshaped me—it deepened my empathy, strengthened my voice, and reminded me that even in the darkest moments, we can find the courage to move forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femmedegabrielle__

Image Credits

Lydia @hziizhz
Willie Fulmore III
Tony Gibble