From Jamaica Observer – — Excerpts from Cayman Skies interview Cayman’s Rising Star: Grace Gealey by Sole Sastre appear in SO courtesy of Cayman Skies.

SO’s priority for the recent flight from Grand Cayman to Kingston, Jamaica was a 40-minute power nap.

Indeed, all was in place: entire row to oneself, ventilators closed and Loro Piana wrap in snug-mode. The Cayman Airways Skies magazine March/ April 2015 beckoned but, feigning indifference, I removed my glasses leaving all a hazy blur. The powerful cover image, however, refused to comply. ‘I know that face! The hair looked different — not straight-out-of-the salon perfect, but slightly messed up. But that face. Frames back on, I picked up the cover. Cayman’s Rising Star: Grace Gealey. What? Anika Calhoun! The woman whom we have no problem siding with Cookie against in the Fox smash drama Empire is from the region. Who would have thunk it?

The six-page spread by Sole Sastre — Building An Empire With Grace said it all.

Her Caribbean Roots…

Grace Gealey is from Bodden Town, Cayman. She maintains a presence in the Cayman Islands through her work with the Cayman National Cultural Foundation Butterfield Young at Arts Summer Intensive Programme at the Harquail Theatre, where she helps young performers learn the craft of acting.

On How She Got On Empire…

She auditioned for the role in Empire and was tested by Lee Daniels in person. “He was direct, specific, real and passionate,” she explained in the interview. The audition experience is one she’ll never forget.

On Lucious Lyon’s Favourite Thing About Anika Gibbons…

Her heart. She’s kind and loving, vulnerable yet strong and won’t go down without a fight. She truly adores Lucious, and he can absolutely feel and see that.

Her advice to Anika…

“Claim your throne, queen!”

On How Her Cayman Roots Have Shaped Her…

“Cayman is a country that prides itself in the very things that make it unique: the people, culture (food, music, crafts, art), the natural resources and the ethics that we believe in, value and honour. Being (immersed) in that environment growing up has taught me to do the same with myself: embrace what makes me unique, carry myself with pride and integrity, believe in the power of the Divine and own who I am and what I have to offer to the world. In this industry, if you can learn to celebrate yourself through each experience (with all those things in mind), you will be sustained and fulfilled in an entirely different way.”

Her Cayman Picks…

A serene drive to the east side of the island (seeing the Blow Holes, swimming at Rum Point and relaxing at Kaibo) and stopping by Ms Vivene’s Kitchen on the way.

For more on this story go to: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/Spotted—Grace-Gealey_18684107