Check Out Gracie Elizabeth Strohsack’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gracie Elizabeth Strohsack. 

Hi Gracie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Hi! My name is Gracie Elizabeth. I am 12 years old and I am living my best life singing, modeling, and dancing my way into the industry! I love to perform (in any shape or form), especially singing, and have been singing as long as I’ve been talking. I’ve performed at several local events such as local restaurants/taverns, our palace theater (Lorain Palace Theater – it is beautiful!!!) I’ve performed the National Anthem at one of our biggest winter/Christmas events – Lorain City Winterfest. On one occasion, I was asked to perform the song “a Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga at a local rally and Women’s March promoting women’s rights and female empowerment. That was probably one of my most memorable events because it was all about girl power- and I’m all about that! It was also an outdoor event and I had to sing louder than the cars, motorcycles, and an occasion police siren that zoomed by. LOL! The first time I performed in front of a large crowd was when I was 9 or 10, I sang Die from a Broken Heart by Maddy & Tae. It was scary and it was sold out – jam-packed. I kept telling myself these people are here to see me so I have to do a good job for them. I have to get out on stage, I can’t let them down. Since I was always singing, my parents put me in voice lessons. My voice coach is a very special person to me. I feel like she’s famous! Haha! I attend Rock Town Academy and my coach/mentor is Jaclyn Bradley. She’s a singer and has traveled, has been on TV, and in my eyes is kind of famous. I also worked with the Singing Angels for a short period of time. The academy has given me a lot of opportunities and many times after I sing at a Rock Town Showcase, I get invites to do other things like weddings and other events. I also take dance classes, gymnastics, and I love CHEER! I’m on a very intense team (Top Gun) and I’m a flyer. So basically, I’m one of the girls who get thrown in the air and my teammates catch me. It’s scary but worth it! My mom is my motivator (even though she can’t sing at all!!!) My dad is more-or-less the singer in the house and we even performed together before at an event when my duet partner got Covid and couldn’t make it. I won’t admit it to My mom but she is my biggest motivator. She’s always giving me advice, I don’t always want it or follow it, but I do hear it. She always supports me and is super positive and is all about girl power too! 

She taught me to be strong and confident in everything I do. Although I’m very busy, I just started taking acting and modeling classes too, and am working with a modeling/talent agency. This has really helped with my confidence. I’ve modeled for a lot of local events, businesses, and photographers- I even had a small part in a local dental office commercial. My most favorite modeling experience has been the Rock for Water events. It was an annual event where models walked the runway with gowns and outfits made from recycled materials. That’s where I learned my sassy walk! Haha! People ask me what I want to do with all of this or what my “end game” is? Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t have an end game yet. I’m too young to have an end game. I’m living my 12-year-old life to the fullest. I’m living & learning and having so much fun along the way. Who knows where all this will go, maybe I’ll be a dancer, a famous TikToker, a voice coach, a mom, or like Carrie Underwood (song/ Champion) say’s, maybe one day I’ll see my name in lights. But one thing I do know is that there’s more to come! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been a fun journey but, of course, there’s been some bumps and bruises. I’ve auditioned and haven’t received callbacks. I’ve performed and didn’t feel like it was my best. But a good positive attitude and support system will overcome those struggles. I’ve also had to miss some fun friend outings because of my modeling, singing, etc… for example, when my friends are having fun at the movies or sleepovers I’m spending 3-4 hours at acting-modeling classes on a Saturday. I did have a major physical setback as I was injured during gymnastics. I ended up in the hospital for 3 days, 2 broken bones, 3 arm pins, and some rehab but I’m working back to where I was before the injury. I really was devastated when it happened and felt like I lost myself for a while there. Gymnastics was my identity- it was who I was. I was Gracie the gymnast. After many many conversations and tears with my mom because she saw how depressed I was it finally clicked. I wasn’t just Gracie the gymnast. I was so much more. I was Gracie the dancer, the singer, the model, the friend, the daughter. That injury was life-changing- good and bad. But one huge positive was that it forced me to expand my talents. It really wasn’t until after my injury, that I began expanding and exploring my other talents. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Specialty: singing, cheering, performing. 

Known for having several different talents, especially singing, and modeling. I am most proud of my singing. I am not ready to go on the “Voice” but I will one day. And I am most proud that I don’t give up on it. I keep practicing and putting in the work. I also think that’s what sets me apart. There are plenty of other talented singers and performers out there but it’s the performers who put in the work, put in the extra hours, give 110%, that will make it! Whatever IT is! Haha. Basically, if you work hard, you can do whatever you want to do. I’m only 12 and I’ve been putting in the work. I’ve modeled in hot 80-degree weather on a dusty baseball field and I’ve also modeled in snowy freezing 30-degree weather. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My parents! My mom motivates and is my “hype” person. LOL And my dad does whatever needs to be done- travel, make costumes carry speakers, cameras, microphones. Plus, I probably get my singing ability from him. My voice coach is the best. She really motivates me. She’s always in a good positive mood and helps me so much. (Jaclyn Bradley – Rock Town Academy). I’ve had a lot of people in my town that ask me to model for them and have given me opportunities and are always supporting me. Eyes of Joe Photography, Kym Glaspie Russell, Chrissy Adkins (Diva and Dolls), Peggy Sinabaldi, to name just a few. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mygyrlgracie
• Facebook: GracieElizabeth, child model

Image Credits
Eyes of Joe Photography
Pabon Photography
Kym Glaspie Russell