Grace Clark Delgado, Model & Actor
Even the most beautiful, successful people struggle with confidence. Just ask Grace Clark Delgado, an NYC-based model and TV personality who faced her insecurities head-on in her early days of working in the predominantly white fashion industry.
“I don’t know many, if any in my industry, who are free from self-criticism,” Grace, who identifies as Syrian-Mexican-American, tells me. “I realized early on [in my career] that I couldn’t let a photo I wasn’t thrilled with be my reason to justify thinking poorly of myself … To wake up and actively practice loving and celebrating yourself when we live in a society that preys on our insecurities and holds Eurocentric features as our standard of beauty, is an act of righteous rebellion.”
From her experience growing up Syrian-Mexican-American to how she combats imposter syndrome, keep reading to learn more about this mujer de magia below.
Grace Gavilanes: What does a typical day in the life of Grace look like?
Grace Clark Delgado: Oh goodness, well hardly any of my days ever look exactly the same, but they always contain something to do with the three main parts of my work. I am a model, actor, and founder of Say Grace Social, my social & digital media production business. Whether I’m on set, traveling for work, or at home in my apartment, it always consists of the basics — emails and social media! As a self-managed model and actor, I’m responsible for booking my own jobs so that usually means submitting on casting sites, interacting with brands on social media, and keeping up with industry connections. From there, it’s managing bookings, discussing new project opportunities, and discovering what’s up next. For my Say Grace Social work, it’s still emails and more social media, but I get to step into my marketing brain for the brand side, and help develop my clients’ connections to their audiences. Outside of “official work” hours, I love getting in an acting or dance class, time to cook, and reading!
GG: The field you’re in is so competitive. How do you handle the pressure to stand out and book every job?
GCD: In the fashion and entertainment industry, I believe there’s an elevated level of peace and security one needs to find within themselves to survive it. When booking a job relies on not only your internal skill set, but more importantly your looks, which society tries to make women believe is directly linked to our self-worth, you have to really hone your sense of self in order to function. I started working on this about two years into my modeling career when I realized I was doubting myself every step of the way — work related or not. My mindset now is that I will always show up, give my best, and remember that no one else is me. This has lent itself to far less stressful auditions as I’m less consumed by the fear of “Did they like me, did I do a good enough job, did I look ‘good’ enough?” Now it gets to be, “How did I feel about my performance today? What would I like to improve for next time?” And most importantly, “I’ll be really happy if I book this, but if I don’t, I’m happy for the person whose time it is to book it.”
GG: As someone who has her picture taken regularly for work, how have you handled self-criticism?
GCD: I don’t know many, if any in my industry, who are free from self-criticism. When you’re the product, the lines between work and self can often be blurred — but I try to remind myself that it still is in fact, work. I realized early on that I couldn’t let a photo I wasn’t thrilled with be my reason to justify thinking poorly of myself. Most importantly, giving myself some grace is something I work at every day. To wake up and actively practice loving and celebrating yourself when we live in a society that preys on our insecurities and holds Eurocentric features as our standard of beauty, is an act of righteous rebellion.
““To wake up and actively practice loving and celebrating yourself when we live in a society that preys on our insecurities and holds Eurocentric features as our standard of beauty, is an act of righteous rebellion.” ”
GG: What has been your biggest obstacle? And how have you overcome it?
GCD: I’d say my biggest obstacle that weaves through my story is my journey with mental health. In my pre-teen years I began to suffer from depression and anxiety. This continued throughout my teenage years and really became the main focus of my life. Coming from a community that doesn’t always understand nor accept the effects that mental illness can have, specifically on a young person, was difficult. However, it was also in these years that I really developed the skill of self-advocacy, and the importance of advocacy in terms of mental health. I was lucky enough to have access to a wonderful trauma therapist, and an amazing support system of family and friends. Not everybody has that, so especially now as I still live and manage my mental illnesses, it’s incredibly important to me to be an advocate, especially in my communities.
GG: You’re both Mexican and Syrian. How was it for you growing up and experiencing two different cultures?
GCD: I’d say my experience between two cultures has been a bit different than most. My father came to the US as a child from Mexico, and my mother was adopted into a Mexican-Italian-American family. While growing up, my culture was predominantly Mexican American, but we knew from my mother’s adoption records that she was Syrian. From a young age, I’d always had a particular interest in this — expedited, I think, by a frequent question from strangers: “What are you?” I’d always wondered why at that young age people couldn’t seem to place my looks. As I got older, the question turned to, “What kind of Middle Eastern are you?” or finally one day I was asked, “You’re Syrian, aren’t you?” Not having a direct connection to the culture, I wanted to learn as much as I could through books, online research, and project opportunities in school to foster this part of my identity. That was all I had until four years ago when we found my biological maternal grandmother, my Sitto as I call her, whose father came from Syria. Now through my Sitto, I’m able to hear the stories, make the food, and really begin to learn about our family’s culture. It’s been a true gift to discover more about this part of my heritage. Since then, I’ve also loved seeing the Arab-Latinx identity celebrated, from celebrities, online communities, and more. It makes me so happy to see the mix of cultures come together so beautifully.
GG: Imposter syndrome is a very real thing in our community. Have you experienced it?
GCD: I have definitely experienced imposter syndrome, but not necessarily in the way one expects. I was raised with such an encouraged sense of self, I truly believe I can do and be anything I want to be. So when I first started walking through doors of opportunity, I was elated to be there and I didn’t doubt my place there. It wasn’t until I started coming into contact with people who didn't think I belonged there, that a feeling of self-doubt began to creep in. It was a sign that alerted me to how important it was for me to get clear on who I was, why I was pursuing my work, and how I could protect myself in the process. I’ve built up this metaphorical armor of sorts, walking into these important spaces, armed with the knowledge that I deserve to be here just as much as anyone else, and damned if I’m going to let anyone’s narrow minded view of the world, or me, keep me out of it.
GG: What advice would you give to someone hoping to follow a similar career path as you?
GCD: First, make sure this is something you really want to do. This goes for any career, but especially in terms of modeling and acting. I don’t begin with this to be discouraging; I say it with all the love in the world as a piece of advice before entering industries that allure you with glitz and glamor, but hold hard working roads to get there. It is rewarding work to be in front of that camera, to offer representation to those who look like you, but being a model will not make you love yourself, so be prepared to pour that necessary love into yourself every day. Second, find where you shine! What part of it do you love? There are so many avenues in modeling and acting, I guarantee you’ll find one that feels right, just like I found that I love doing morning TV! Then, look and see who’s already excelling there, and learn from their career. Lastly, network your butt off! I would not be where I am today in my career if I didn’t talk to people. Some of my longest running clients came from a conversation at an event, a person I’d connected with, or someone who passed my name along. You are always going to be your best representative, so represent!
GG: What does being Latina mean to you?
GCD: Latina is a title that I’ve gone back and forth with as it attempts to encapsulate so many identities and experiences into one label. However, I am ultimately grateful for the term Latina and to be Latina, as it has brought me closer to women in my own Mexican American community, as well as other Latina communities. Two things I most appreciate about being Latina, which are also my favorite things about myself, are determination and optimism. These attributes have been modeled for me not only by the grit and faith of my paternal grandparents, but by the Latinx community as a whole, who — despite facing unyielding adversity — continue to thrive through the most difficult journeys, and elude the naysayers by celebrating our wins with our cultural food, music, and dance.
GG: Is there anything you’d like to promote? Tell us what you’re working on!
GCD: Our ever-changing world these last few years has really reminded me not to wait on original dreams, so after beginning my career in the modeling industry, I’m currently working on getting back into acting and performing! Recently, I’ve been spending my time in acting classes, vocal lessons, and with my dance shoes back on. It’s so exciting as I see more and more Latinx-created projects coming out — from film, television, even Broadway — and I know that’s where I want to be. So for anyone looking to cast their next project, your favorite curly-haired, plus size, triple-threat, Arab-Latina is ready!
