Artist and top model Grace Valentine operates between two industries that demand very different versions of self. In fashion, image takes priority, shaped by casting, direction, and expectation. In music, Grace takes full control, writing, producing, and recording work that stays close to personal experience. Based in Brooklyn, they approach both fields with an awareness of what each allows and what it limits.
INTERVIEWS
Their upcoming album Sik Demos releases on April 16, 2026, with the lead single Weapons out today, April 2. The project draws from 90s alternative and post-punk alongside experimental hip hop and atmospheric R&B, shaping a sound that feels grounded yet unsettled. Grace Valentine focuses on identity, heartbreak, mental health, and the tension between wanting connection and fearing it.
In an exclusive interview with DSCENE Magazine, they speak with our editor Ana Markovic about their start in music, key runway moments, navigating fashion as a non-binary model, and building a fully self-driven approach to sound and production.
01 What came first for you, fashion or music?
Music! I grew up in a household that was constantly playing music, of all kinds. I’ve been writing songs ever since I learned how to write at all. I started making sound cloud raps my senior year of high school which I kept to myself, and writing songs on guitar, but I only really started producing a few years ago.
I am still very much seen as feminine and have to play these certain archetypes I don’t identify with, even with a history of being vocal about my pronouns and identity.
If you had to create a soundtrack for a fashion show, which would you choose and why?
I think a lot of Massive Attack, maybe some Jimmy Whoo, anything incredibly cinematic. I think great sounds like that would fit perfectly in a fall winter collection that leans more grunge or moody, lots of energy. I walked in Blumarine fw23, which had elements of dirt and fire, and i walked with such attitude. I could totally see a post-punk or alternative vibe musically for a show like that. I can see that for a brand such as Acne studios, or YSL as well.
Looking back at the Fendi SS23 show, what was going through your mind the second you decided to take off your shoes and keep walking – and if it happened today, would you do the same?
Wow, yeah that was an experience. I didn’t intentionally take my shoes off like many may think. My feet were sweaty and the shoes were pure rubber so that’s a match made in hell for a model. I remember being more annoyed than embarrassed though, because my issues with the shoes was something I had communicated backstage after rehearsal but the problem was never paid attention to. Someone had told me to “Go out there and have fun” so I just said F it, sure thing. By the time I was leaving the venue after the show, it was already all over the internet. Tens of millions of views by just the next day. But that’s such a normal thing that happens during shows. I think two other girls at different shows that same day had a malfunction too so I’m not sure why my mishap got so much publicity, I’m not complaining though, it was epic.
If I want to really be heard, I might as well be honest, I might as well go deep within.
Being a non-binary model in a traditionally gendered industry, how has that shaped the way you navigate castings and runway shows?
I think my identity is more so something I have had to learn to just keep close to my chest. I am still very much seen as feminine and have to play these certain archetypes I don’t identify with, even with a history of being vocal about my pronouns and identity. I tend to hide the true parts of myself in order to be more digestible for whoever. It doesn’t seem to land well if I’m authentically myself, instead of this hyper involved, super-passionate-about-the -looks and makeup, girly girl.
Do you think identity is taken seriously across entertainment, music, fashion, film, or is it often just a box to check?
Not at all. Those with power, who do know about where I land in the spectrum, don’t do anything to give me that visibility, which is so unfortunate. I’ve even had people online say I pretend to be non-binary just to fit into trends or whatever. I’ve ultimately stopped being vocal about it in the industry. I’ve been out as non binary for almost 6 years now, and it’s been 7 since I started. So if people don’t want to take the time to do their research, that’s more a reflection of their true interest in the model they are booking in my opinion. But it’s not really that big of a deal at the end of the day and I don’t put a lot of my soul into the work. I wish I did, and I wish it was different but I just have to force myself to become whoever I’m paid to be and that’s my best strategy. These people don’t know I sag my pants and wear boxers and google top surgery every other day and I think at this point I prefer to keep my true self separate from it all.
I just want people to say “Man, that was cool. That was nostalgic, yet refreshing.”
SIK Demos arrives on April 16. How does this project build on or depart from Letters to the Lilies?
This project completely departs from Letters to the Lilies. I had made that album in 2024 from a collection of songs I had been working on and scrapping since 2022. SIK Demos is all present day thoughts and experiences. SIK is also more self focused and introspective, whereas Letters to the Lilies was completely about heartbreak and grief. I’ve self taught myself every aspect of it, so I went on my own personal adventure starting at what I did know and what I know now. From making an extremely raw and bare sad song, with minimal instruments, to a more dynamic, loud, rhythmic and instrument filled track. SIK Demos is also my first fully self produced album.
You’ve spoken about identity and intimacy as main themes. What’s harder to sing about, identity or connection?
I sing at the level of how honest I am being with myself, which is easier for me to put in a song of metaphors than to verbatim say these things. I am having those hard conversations with myself through the lyrics I write but ultimately I would say that connection is hardest for me to write about. Truthfully, I don’t have a very solid, immediate community around me, which leads to a lot of isolation and paranoia. Not for a lack of wanting community or connection, I just don’t really have that reference in my life. It’s hard to write about what isn’t there, and maybe never really was to begin with, but I try my best.
Mac Miller is one of the biggest reasons I make music, and want to try every sound there is. He’s my hometown hero.
How do you balance control and vulnerability when putting something so personal into sound?
I’m not sure if there is a balance, honestly. I think I am just fully and only vulnerable, but I don’t see that as a lack of control. I think I’ve only ever known to be vulnerable, especially when it comes to something as sacred as what I have to say through art. If I want to really be heard, I might as well be honest, I might as well go deep within.
You’re bringing elements of alternative rock into your sound. What specifically drew you to that direction on this project?
I wanted something that I’ve never tried before, and have never even thought to try. I wanted something loud.
I grew up loving songs and artists like paralyzer by finger eleven, kryptonite by 3 doors down, the foo fighters, modest mouse, dikembe, the list goes on but I truly admire those sounds and I wanted to capture that in my own way. I can’t say I’ve “studied” music, but I’m definitely passionate about it and that’s enough to just try it.
It’s very important for me to have complete control over my music, I’m sure there’s a parallel there with not having any control over my modeling work.
Your upcoming album is said to draw from 90s alternative, post-punk, experimental hip hop, and atmospheric R&B, that’s quite a range. Who are your biggest musical influences, and what do you listen to regularly?
I definitely draw from that range in general when I create music. I’ve made more rap songs than I can remember, and have tried to dip my toe in R&B as well, but this album I would specifically label as 90’s alternative, post-punk rock. I just want to try everything, really. My biggest musical influence… man that’s a hard one. I’d say Mac Miller is at number one though. He was a musician, he wasn’t just a rapper. He tried everything and made it his own while doing it. He started off rapping, saying similar bars as I do, and started adding elements of everything. Jazz, soul, singer-songwriter. I think anyone that remembers Mac as just a rapper is naive to do so. He’s one of the biggest reasons I make music, and want to try every sound there is. He’s my hometown hero.
You mostly write and produce your own music. How important is it for you to have complete control over your music?
It is verrrrrry important to me. I’m sure there’s a parallel in there somewhere about not having any control over my modeling work, my image, and which pictures of me are used when published. Having complete control down to the notes I play on the piano is the only way to fully capture the meaning of what it is I’m saying. That is why I take so much pride in fully self producing now and creating it all from my barehands. I constantly played music growing up. I was attached to my iPod, I fell asleep next to my radio every night, I learned from what I heard. I start from zero and build a whole world, and let anyone and everyone into it. And I hate that it feels like I’m taking short cuts if I don’t produce a track, but I have so much respect for artists who also produce their work, as well as write it all themselves too.
SIK Demos is more introspective, while Letters to the Lilies centered entirely on heartbreak and grief.
What do you hope stays with listeners after hearing SIK Demos?
I just want people to say “Man, that was cool. That was nostalgic, yet refreshing.” I want to bring back a time of music we’ve moved away from, while also giving it my own twist.
What’s next for Grace Valentine?
More learning, more producing, and more words to write down, but really anything and everything I want to explore.
Follow Grace on instagram – @imnotgrace
