• Grace Byers is an American-Caymanian actress and author with a net worth of over $2 million.
• She was born to an American father and an Afro-Caribbean mother and had to learn sign language to communicate with them.
• She is known for her role as Anika Calhoun in the Fox musical drama series “Empire” and Reeva Payge in the superhero series “The Gifted”.
• She is married to fellow actor, Trai Byers, and they reside in Los Angeles, California.
• She is an active volunteer for Saving Our Daughters, a non-profit anti-bullying organization for girls.
Contents
- 1 Who is Grace Byers?
- 2 How rich is she, as of now? Grace Byers Net Worth
- 3 Early Life, Nationality, Ethnicity,
- 4 Educational Background
- 5 Career Beginnings: Stage Performances
- 6 Rise to Fame: TV Debut in “Empire”
- 7 Film Debut and Continued Success
- 8 Recent and Upcoming Projects
- 9 Author of Two Books
- 10 Appearance and Vital Statistics
- 11 Personal Life: Husband Trai Byers, Wedding, Residence, Charity Work
Who is Grace Byers?
Grace Lillis Byers (née Gealey) was born on 26 July 1984 under the sign of Leo, in Butler, Pennsylvania USA, and is a 35-year-old Caymanian-American actress. She’s probably best recognized for her professional acting on stage, performing in various off-Broadway productions, and starring in the role of Anika Calhoun in the Fox musical drama series “Empire”.
How rich is she, as of now? Grace Byers Net Worth
Grace Byers’ net worth is estimated at over $2 million as of early 2020, earned from her successful career as a professional actress. Being active since 2010, Grace has appeared in a number of stage productions, TV and film titles, and has also increased her fortune through the sales of her book.
Early Life, Nationality, Ethnicity,
Grace Byers was born to an American father and an Afro-Caribbean mother – both of her parents are deaf, and Grace had to learn sign language at a very young age so she could communicate with them. The name of her mother is Cheryl McCoy-Gealey, while the identity of her father is not disclosed; she has a sister, named Faith Gealey-Brown. Her maternal grandparents are Theoline McCoy and Bodden Towners Harry. Grace spent the first two years of her life in her hometown of Butler, but then her parents divorced, so she moved with her mother and sister to the Cayman Islands, located in the western Caribbean Sea. She is American by nationality and belongs to multiracial ethnic group.
Educational Background
Grace went to Bodden Town Primary School, after which she attended John Gray High School and then George Hicks High School. At the age of 18 Grace returned to the US for her education, enrolling in the University of South Florida, Tampa. She there obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts in 2006, and thereafter continued her education at the University of California, Irvine, from which she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting in 2010.
Career Beginnings: Stage Performances
Grace then moved to New York City, and there started taking steps towards her professional acting career on stage.
In November 2010, she made her debut in the production of “Venus Flytrap: A Femme Noir Mystery”, written by Anthony Dodge, after which she performed in the production of “Rent”, both at off-Broadway theatres. In the following year, Grace starred in the productions of “Tartuffe” and “The Misanthrope” on the theater scene in Chicago, Illinois.
Rise to Fame: TV Debut in “Empire”
Grace made her debut TV appearance in 2015, when she joined the regular cast of the musical prime time drama series “Empire”, alongside such actors as Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.
The series follows the life of members of the family which established the company Empire Entertainment. Created by Danny Strong and Lee Daniels, it premiered on the Fox network in January 2015, with Grace selected as Anika ‘Boo Boo Kitty’ Calhoun in Season One. Her character dies in the final episode of Season Four, aired in 2018.
Film Debut and Continued Success
Grace then made her debut film appearance, by landing the role of jazz singer Kate in the crime thriller film “Bent”, next to Andy Garcia, Sofia Vergara and Karl Urban – it was written and directed by Robert ‘Bobby’ Moresco, and based on JP O’Donnell’s book “Deadly Codes”.
Her next significant role came later that year, when she was chosen to portray Reeva Payge in the superhero series “The Gifted”, aired on the Fox network, and created by Matt Nix. She starred in 16 episodes.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
After guest-starring as Edie in the episode “My Life” of the BET anthology drama series “Tales”, Grace Byers landed the role of Katherine ‘Boz’ Bosworth in the drama series “Phoenix”, both in 2019. Most recently, it has been announced that she will feature as Quinn, a fashion designer, in the upcoming comedy series “Untitled Tracy Oliver Project” on Amazon.
Author of Two Books
Apart from being an actress, Grace Byers is also an author of two books. In 2018, she published her first book for children, entitled “I Am Enough”. It is a picture book illustrated by artist Keturah A. Bobo and based on Grace’s childhood experience with being bullied for being not only a CODA (Child Of Deaf Adults), but also a multiracial child – for this she won the 2018 Goodreads Choice Award for Picture Book. Grace has announced her second illustrated book, entitled “I Believe I Can”, expected to be published in March 2020. The book will be illustrated by the same artist as the previous one.
Appearance and Vital Statistics
- Short dark brown hair
- Dark brown eyes
- Height – 5ft 5ins (1.65m)
- Weight – 130lbs (59kgs)
- Body Type – Average
- Vital Statistics – 34-26-35
- Bra Size – 32C
- Dress Size – 4 (US)
- Shoe Size – 9.5 (US)
Personal Life: Husband Trai Byers, Wedding, Residence, Charity Work
Grace Byers is married to Trai Byers, also an actor and known from featuring as Andre Lyon in “Empire”. The couple became engaged on 28 July 2015, and tied the knot in a romantic wedding ceremony on 14 April 2016, on Grand Cayman island, attended by their closest family and friends. Their residence is in Los Angeles, California, with their pet dog named Baron.
In her spare time, Grace serves as a volunteer for Saving Our Daughters, a non-profit anti-bullying organization for girls who hail from various multi-cultural groups.
