We recently connected with Graci Thompson and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Graci thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
I’m often misunderstood. With June being pride month, let’s get into it. Being a teen in the lgbtqia community isn’t the easiest but it is exactly where I want to be. Many people make so many poor assumptions about me based off my appearance. People assume a lot of things, but I’m here to settle the score with facts. The fact that I’m genderfluid doesn’t mean I want to change my body at all.I love my body just like it is. But cheers to those humans wanting to change their bodies, I support all in the lgbtqia. When I shaved all my hair off into a buzz cut this spring some people lost their minds. The haters commenting that I was such a pretty girl before I shaved it and that my modeling career was over. The assumptions that I must have lost my way through all this or that I’m troubled in any way, it’s just not true. I couldn’t be more well rounded and happy. I feel like the haters were so mad because they didn’t give me permission to be the person I am and how dare I have the courage to shine as the real me. They wanted me to feel shame but the truth is, that’s their shame, not mine. Didn’t feel any of their shame. I just stayed in my lane and kept being myself without apologizing. It’s like they don’t get the fact that there is a whole community that embraces and loves people that are themselves no matter the risks and odds against them. Not to mention all the other beautiful humans that have shown me nothing but support. I have received nothing but support from My family, my friends, my agency, the brands I work with, other models, makeup and hair teams. I just feel that if someone wants to label me, then please do so properly.
Here are some facts about me,
First off, I live a very happy life. I am blessed and my life is filled with good hearted people. I am surrounded by happiness. I can undoubtedly say that I have been raised well and because of that I know and love exactly who I am.
I’ll be 17 in July. I’m about to start my Senior year of highschool in the fall. The last 12 years of my education I’ve been in honors and at the top of my class academically. I’m touring colleges and I plan to visit an art college in Chicago soon. I’m considering studying graphic design & animation. I am also into aeronautical engineering but I’m not sure if I want to make a career out of that.
As far as my labels, I am pansexual which means I love all humans no matter their gender. I am genderfluid which means I can identify as any gender or combination of genders, at any given time. At times, I may identify as male, female, both, or neither. My pronouns are she/they
Most of my indoor days are spent drawing, painting, animating and writing. On outdoor days you’ll find me in nature, fishing, picking mulberries, camping or swimming. I love thrifting and hitting amusement parks with my friends. I’m very proud of my modeling career and I can’t wait to see where else it takes me.
I’d really love to travel and model all over the country and beyond if I can. I really do enjoy representing the lgbtq community as a model and I hope to continue using my platform to shine light and love.
Graci , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The biggest project I’m working on is my novel, Beyond Bounds. Currently at around 33,000 words, Beyond Bounds is a science-fiction/fantasy novel. It includes drama, romance, and of course everyone’s favorite, truly relatable characters. The best thing about this project, however, is the fact that it isn’t ONLY a book. Beyond Bounds is being developed in so many different ways. Whether animation, painting, digital art, traditional art, written drabbles, or comics, the characters in this book are always being showcased to my platform audiences in new ways. I share on YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok regularly.
At the moment, I’m making a voice acted trailer being for my novel! I held auditions and selected 13 amazing voice actors from many different backgrounds, and I have never been more grateful to have such creative and dependable people in my team! I am blessed to have several professional voice actors on my team, and I’m just as blessed to have my close friends working with me. The storyboard and audio for the novel trailer have already been completed, and I’m currently working on backgrounds and character animation. I’m also excited to say that I’m working on hand-sewing a cosplay based on one of Beyond Bounds’s space-suit uniforms!
Beyond Bounds is told from 4 different perspectives over the course of approximately 45 chapters. The main four perspectives have varying different personalities, and are meant to contrast one another as they interact. Milo Finch is a young, newly-appointed employee for a HUGE space company called EBAB. All he wants is to chase his dreams and live a full and satisfying life, serving his company. However, when Vil Moore, a struggling job-seeker from humanity’s home planet comes around- Milo finds himself falling down a rabbit hole of troubles. He’s helpless to watch as Vil tangles up his future with their own and ruins every plan he could have possibly made. However, once Vil and Milo are forced to face the same troubles together- they find themselves desperate for help. Follow the story of Beyond Bounds even further to discover how Milo and Vil meet Kody Harborr and Andy Milton; two rising anarchists that are working against EBAB for everyone’s sake.
This novel is written with YA audiences in mind, and is LGBTQIA inclusive. The full universe is based on countless hours of research. Each planet is scientifically accurate (for the most part) and I’ve done my best to create tangible designs for mechanics and space ships. There are countless species that live across the 7 planets of the Halo Cluster, ranging from tiny and cute to colossal and ethereal. I can guarantee you that you’ll be able to find something in this novel to enjoy, as I’ve done my absolute best to make it relatable, enjoyable, and a unique and original reading experience for anyone to enjoy.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I’ve had a few things help me in my journey as a writer, artist and a model.
As an author, my biggest kick-off was thanks to “Pep-Talks For Writers” by Grant Faulkner. I had no idea I was going to be writing a novel when I first designed my characters, but this book was what really made me want to. Faulkner told me in his writing, that it is my duty to “build a world through (my) words and believe in (my) story as a beautiful work of incarnation, to see it a a gift to (myself) and others, as something that elevates life with new meaning— (my) meaning.” And I stand by that advice every day I sit down to write.
As an artist, I draw the most inspiration from my fellow artists. I love to scroll through Pinterest, YouTube- read books full of masterpieces and watch how people create. It motivates me. The first thing that REALLY a got me drawing was the Warrior Cats books by Erin Hunter. Ever since then, I’ve always drawn inspiration from the media I consume, whether books, music, or movies. Music is a big one, there. It inspires me the most, today.
I’ve also had help early on in my modeling career. During the pandemic I was blessed to attend a LIVE Zoom master class with supermodel Coco Rocha & her husband James Rocha. I was able to do a live photo shoot on camera with them from a studio and I got feedback throughout from Coco and James. The way she trained me on how to pose is forever engrained in me. The channeling of emotions and also using music for pose was genius. The method I learned has really helped me to truly enjoy modeling for test shoots and brands! I love it.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Creativity is freedom. My parents have filled my hands with art supplies, musical instruments and a world of wonder since I was a baby. Being homeschooled the majority of my life has been a huge blessing for me creatively too. My wonder has always been fed by creativity. The boundless areas in which I’m able to create are truly my sanctuary. I find peace and therapy in creating. Whether I’m writing, drawing, animating, playing my guitar or picking the right fishing lure to catch the biggest bass in the lake, I’m always happy doing it. To be able to express myself creatively as a model and through style is one of the dopest things I’ve ever done creatively. Whether it’s is shaving my head , bleaching my brows, or painting my face, I’m always changing it up. It’s also really fun having so many areas to grow in and to grow my talents in. I love it all. I feel like I always have another medium to create in if I get tired of the others. My soul is tied into it all, it’s who I am and I feel blessed for it. I think art college is really going to be the cherry on top of it all. I can’t wait to be surrounded by more creatives. Moving to a bigger city with a creative hub and market is truly my biggest and most passionate goal.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/gracithompsonportfolio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graci-thompson-559bb5248
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@GraciousBean
- Other: Tiktok username is @graciousbean
Image Credits
Kari Thompson