Artist and top model Grace Valentine it operates between two industries that demand very different versions of themselves. In fashion, image takes precedence, shaped by casting, direction and expectation. In music, Grace takes full control, writing, producing and recording works that stay close to personal experience. Based in Brooklyn, they approach both fields with an awareness of what each allows and limits.
INTERVIEWS
Their upcoming album Sik Demos is released on April 16, 2026, with the lead single Arms Releases today, April 2nd. The project draws from ’90s alternative and post-punk, alongside experimental hip-hop and atmospheric R&B, shaping a sound that feels steady yet volatile. Grace Valentine focuses on identity, frustration, mental health and the tension between her desire to connect and her fear.
In one exclusive interview with DSCENE magazinetalk to our editor Ana Markovic about getting started in music, key runway moments, navigating fashion as a non-binary model, and building a completely self-driven approach to sound and production.
01 What came first for you, fashion or music?
Music! I grew up in a household that played music all the time, of all kinds. I’ve been writing songs since I learned to write at all. I started making rap sound clouds in high school, which I kept to myself, and writing songs on guitar, but I only started producing a few years ago.
I’m still considered very feminine and have to play these specific archetypes that I don’t identify with, even with the history of being vocal about my pronouns and identity.
If you had to create a soundtrack for a fashion show, which one would you choose and why?
I think a lot of Massive Attack, maybe a little Jimmy Whoo, anything incredibly cinematic. I think such great sounds would fit perfectly in an autumn winter collection that is more grunge based or moody, lots of energy. I walked in Blumarine fw23, which had elements of dirt and fire, and I walked with such an attitude. I could totally see a post-punk or alternative vibe musically for a show like this. I can see this for a brand like Acne studios or YSL as well.
Looking back at the Fendi SS23 show, what was going through your mind the moment you decided to kick off your shoes and keep walking – and if it happened today, would you do the same?
Wow, yes, that was an experience. I didn’t intentionally take my shoes off as many people think. My feet were sweaty and the shoes were pure rubber, so this is a match made in hell for a model. But I remember being more annoyed than embarrassed, because my shoe problems were something I had communicated backstage after rehearsal, but the problem was never addressed. Someone had told me “Go out there and have funSo I said to say it, sure. By the time I was leaving the venue after the show, it was already all over the internet. Tens of millions of views just the next day. But this is such a normal thing that happens during performances. I think two other girls at different shows on the same day had a malfunction, so I’m not sure why my mishap got so much publicity.
If I really want to be heard, I might as well be honest, I might as well go deep inside.
Being a non-binary model in a traditionally gendered industry, how has that shaped the way you navigate castings and runways?
I think my identity is more of something I’ve had to learn to keep close to my chest. I’m still considered very feminine and have to play these specific archetypes that I don’t identify with, even with the history of being vocal about my pronouns and identity. I tend to hide the true parts of me to make myself more digestible for whoever it is. It doesn’t seem to land well if I’m authentically myself, instead of this over-involved, too-obsessed-with-appearance-and-makeup, girly girl.
Do you think identity is taken seriously in entertainment, music, fashion, film, or is it often just a frame for control?
At all. Those in power, who know where I land on the spectrum, do nothing to give me that visibility, which is so unfortunate. I’ve even had people online say I’m pretending to be non-binary to fit in with trends or whatever. Eventually I stopped talking 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 of a reflection of their true interest in the model they’re booking in my opinion. But it’s not really that big of a deal at the end of the day and I don’t really put my soul into the work. I wish I did, and I wish it were different, but I just have to force myself to be who I’m paid to be and that’s my best strategy. These people don’t know that I hang up my pants and wear boxers and surgery google top every other day and I think at this point I prefer to keep the real me separate from all of that.
I just want people to say “Man, that was cool. This was nostalgic, but refreshing.“
SIK Demos arrives on April 16th. How does this play build on or depart from Letters to the Lilies?
This work departs entirely from the Epistles to the Lilies. I had made this album in 2024 from a collection of songs I had been working on and deleting since 2022. SIK Demos is all today’s thoughts and experiences. SIK is also more self-focused and introspective, while Letters to the Lilies was all about the heart and sadness. I have taught myself every aspect of it, so I went on my own personal adventure starting with what I knew and what I know now. From making an extremely raw and bare sad song, with minimal instrumentation, to a more dynamic, powerful, rhythmic and instrumental track. SIK Demos is also my first fully produced album.
You’ve talked about identity and intimacy as major themes. What’s harder to sing, identity or connection?
I sing at the level of how honest I am with myself, which is easier for me to put into a song with metaphors than to say these things literally. I have these tough conversations with myself through the lyrics I write, but ultimately I’d say the connection is harder for me to write. Honestly, I don’t have a very solid, immediate community around me, which leads to a lot of isolation and paranoia. Not for lack of wanting community or connection, I just don’t have that reference in my life. It’s hard to write about what isn’t there, and maybe never 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 out there. He is the hero of my hometown.
How do you balance control and vulnerability when putting something so personal into sound?
I’m not sure if there’s a balance, honestly. I think I’m just completely and utterly vulnerable, but I don’t see that as a lack of control. I think I’ve only learned that I’m vulnerable, especially when it comes to something as sacred as what I have to say through art. If I really want to be heard, I might as well be honest, I might as well go deep inside.
You bring elements of alternative rock to your sound. What specifically drew you in this direction on this project?
I wanted something I’ve never tried before, and hadn’t even thought to try. I wanted something strong.
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 really admire those sounds and 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 give it a try.
It’s very important to me to have complete control over my music, I’m sure there’s a parallel 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 stretch. Who are your biggest musical influences and what do you listen to regularly?
I definitely draw from that spectrum in general when creating music. I’ve done more rap songs than I can remember, and I’ve tried to dip my toe into R&B as well, but I would specifically describe this album as 90s alternative, post-punk rock. I just want to try everything, really. My biggest musical influence… is hard. I’d say Mac Miller is number one though. He was a musician, not just a rapper. He tried everything and made it his own while doing it. He started rapping, saying similar bars to me, and started adding elements from everything. Jazz, soul, singer-songwriter. I think anyone who remembers Mac as just a rapper is naive to do so. It’s one of the biggest reasons I make music and I want to try every sound out there. He is the hero of my hometown.
You mostly write and produce your own music. How important is it to you to have complete control over your music?
It is very important to me. I’m sure there’s a parallel somewhere about having no control over my modeling work, my image, and what photos of me are used when they’re published. Having total control down to the notes I play on the piano is the only way to fully capture the meaning of what I’m saying. That’s why I’m so proud to be fully self-produced now and create everything with my bare hands. I played music all the time growing up. I was glued to my iPod, I slept next to my radio every night, I learned from what I heard. I start from scratch and build a whole world and let anyone and everyone into it. And I hate that I feel like I’m short-cutting if I don’t do a track, but I have so much respect for artists who also produce their work, as well as write it all themselves.
SIK Demos is more introspective, whereas Letters on the lilies focused entirely on heartbreak and grief.
What do you hope listeners take away after listening to SIK Demos?
I just want people to say “Man, that was cool. This was nostalgic, but refreshing.I want to bring back an era of music that we’ve moved away from while giving it my own twist.
What’s next for Grace Valentine?
More learning, more production and more words to write, but really anything and everything I want to explore.
Follow Grace on instagram – @imnotgrace
