With vocals that reach operatic heights and tooth gems catching the disco lights above, Valencia Grace ignites the party with an infectious, unapologetic free spirit.
Her music channels modern icons of dancefloor pop like Chappell, Charli, and Marina, while making tunes entirely her own. Valencia Grace infuses her queer identity into every aspect of her glittery performance, whether on stage or filming a bombastic new music video.
So.Gay chatted with this British-born rising star on her musical theatre past, pop star present, and aspirations for the bright future ahead (which includes a multi-city tour).
So.Gay: What first drew you to dark, theatrical pop vibes?
Valencia Grace: You know what? I had coffee with a friend and was talking about how much I miss theater. She said I was missing out on something. We ended up speaking about my musical theatre background. I have been in over 30 musicals, and she told me to honor that side of myself. When I went into the session with CJ [Baran], I said, “I want to play characters with my music. I want to create worlds that are deeper than just a pop song.”
I want my shows to feel like a true performance. That’s why I love dressing up as very different and eccentric characters that I create for each song. So, it really just stemmed from that. I’m so influenced by how rappers and artists like Grimes use their voices to create different narratives and characters. I really wanted to do that too. I do it every time I write, but I always used to get really nervous at the mic. Then, working with CJ, he brought so much confidence out of me, and we were able to have so much fun in a session. We created these quirky, mystical, whimsical songs.
So.Gay: How were you able to draw out that confidence?
Valencia Grace: Going back to my first ever session ever when I was about 17, I hated it. I literally sang into the mic and felt bad. It felt horrible because I went from being very vulnerable at home, writing all these very personal ballads, and then all of a sudden I was putting it out into the world. Recording it felt very weird hearing my voice through the mic.
But after I realized how cool it was that I got to do that, I got over it very quickly. Over time, I started experimenting so much with my voice and realized I was very drawn to putting on these very characterful voices. I think finding a creative partner who understands your weird visions and can help translate it in a cool way has been very helpful. I’ve been able to tell CJ, who I’ve been making all these amazing songs with, that I want to embody different characters, and he helps push me to the edge, honestly.
So.Gay: Can we expect to see these characters on stage when you tour?
Valencia Grace: Oh, absolutely. I have so many ideas. I’m not going to reveal anything because I want it to be a surprise, but I have so many ideas for the show. I love messing around with fashion. I use prosthetics and extra limbs. I love everything that’s bizarre, unique, wonderful, and androgynous. My tour is going to hold a lot of space for people to just feel genderless and free.
So.Gay: That sounds so inclusive and magical!
Valencia Grace: Oh, yes, it’s going to be so beautiful too. I’ve got so many set design ideas. I’m working with a very talented artist who’s helping me design some really beautiful creepy pieces that are going to be decorating me on stage.
So.Gay: Where do you think queerness and music intersect? How do you combine them?
Valencia Grace: Love that question because it’s actually… obviously I’ve always been queer, but I never felt connected to the queer community. It was only since recently, I literally think I have been missing out on so much queer joy and queer love. But now I have found it through this artist project and it’s been the most incredible thing ever because 90% of the people that I work with are queer and my music now gets to honor this side of myself. A part of me that I was never able to translate before can now be shared. I feel completely open and it’s so beautiful to be a part of the queer community. It’s opened up so many connections and I’m just really enjoying being a queer person living in New York today.
So.Gay: How long have you been living in New York, is it impacting your work?
Valencia Grace: I’m on my second-year lease, and it’s been amazing. It’s been so good. Finding a lot of every type of inspiration. There’s one story I like to tell: when I was still living in London, I was scrolling on social media and I saw this brilliant artist painting a mural on the wall and he was based in Brooklyn, or somewhere in New York. Fast forward, and some time later, I ended up in New York, walking down the street, and I saw the mural! I thought, “Wow, that’s so insane. I literally saw the video of this man painting it, and now I’m getting to witness it in real life.” It just showed me how small the artistic community is and how easy it is to connect. I’ve built such strong, interesting, and beautiful connections with so many different types of creators. I love meeting inventors, artists, and directors. The funny thing is, everyone is so young. It’s wild how talented everyone is in bloody New York. I know it’s like that everywhere, but here, young talent is everywhere. There’s just talent, talent, talent.
So.Gay: What’s the best advice you’ve gotten that really stuck with you?
Valencia Grace: I feel like I’ve personally learned a lot in time on my own. I think the biggest piece of advice that I can give, and it’s something that I’m gonna have to keep telling myself as well, is that consistency is key. You need to stay truly authentic to yourself and believe in yourself and your artistic intuition. Trust your weirdness and just allow yourself the time to prepare and give yourself patience because if you remain consistent and you remain true to yourself, oh my god, you’re set. It’s also about finding people. You cannot do it alone, it’s impossible. Coming into the music industry, I’ve truly got to see that below the artist is the rest of the iceberg. It’s a bloody big iceberg. Find people who are as passionate as you are in the project because at this point, Valencia Grace is not just me. Valencia Grace is everyone who’s involved, and also the fans. So you need to build an empire.
So.Gay: Is there anyone in the queer community who motivates you?
Valencia Grace: Okay, so my absolute favorite person in the whole world is Jim Parsons. He plays Sheldon on “The Big Bang Theory,” and when I was around 15 to 16 years old, I was going through the worst trauma of my life. I had no friends, and I completely escaped into the world of the “Big Bang Theory.” I found so much comfort in Jim Parsons because he’s, oh god, this really makes sense why “Shrek the musical” is also my favorite musical. I always fall in love with a little freaky kid who thinks that no one likes them, because that was literally me.
Another person who I’m so obsessed with and inspired by is my favorite doll, my favorite drag queen, Laganga Estranga. I’m obsessed with her, and I just mentioned her in a new song that I wrote, so the love is to the roof.
So.Gay: That’s amazing. Have you met before?
Valencia Grace: I have. We follow each other. I’m obsessed. We shared a moment, and I will never, ever, ever forget it, and I’ve actually been in love on my knees down bad since then.
So.Gay: Sounds like she could be a good opener.
Valencia Grace: Oh my god, yes, that would be amazing.
So.Gay: What roles did you play in your musical days that stick with you today? Are there any roles that maybe we’d be surprised to hear?
Valencia Grace: Okay, it was bloody awesome because I try to sing high, and now I’ve really been dabbling in the operatic side of things. It’s been fun, but at my core, I’m a deeper singer. I’ve got a lower register, so I always played the male lead characters. In “Beauty and the Beast,” I was Gaston. In “Little Shop of Horrors,” I was the plant. In “Oliver,” I was Fagin. It was the best. I was Lord Farquaad in “Shrek the Musical.” Dare I say it’s all online?
PHOTO CREDITS:
Photographer: @billycolelanders
Styling: @akailittlejohn
HMUA: @karolscorner
Wig: @whoiszenobia
Management: @kvlestuart @wlaister
Photo Assist: @victorrrsimon
PA’s: @alexandervyoung @iamluyuqi.plz @puppetgrrr
Tooth Gems: @sweetthuggems
