Gianna Simone

Gianna Simone (born December 22, 1989) is an American actress, model, and producer.[1] She has appeared in roles in the feature films Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Mother's Day (2016), I Can Only Imagine (2018), Unbroken: Path to Redemption (2018), and several television series.

Gianna Simone
Born (1989-12-22) December 22, 1989
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • producer
OrganizationGianna Simone Foundation

Early life

Simone is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and during her youth, lived in East Boston, Chelsea, Revere,[2] and Wilbraham. She was abused as a child and placed in Boston's foster care system at thirteen years old.[1][3] Her father, Anthony Baxter, was unable to serve as her caretaker at the time, though Simone has since said that Baxter has been "a very positive influence" in her life and helped her make the decision to focus on acting.[4][5] Around the time Simone entered the foster care system, she enrolled at a gym, where she met the owner Kathy DeMarco, who became her mentor. DeMarco introduced Simone to a small non-denominational Christian church and wanted to adopt the teenager, but died before doing so.[3]

Simone attended Boston Latin Academy. Around age sixteen she began pursuing a modeling career.[2][3][4]

Career

Simone originally only wanted to focus on modeling, which she pursued despite opposition from agencies, and secured modeling work without agency representation for several years.[2][4] She signed her first modeling contract with Boston's Maggie Inc. in 2009, and appeared in advertisements for the American Dental Association, Carolina Herrera, Elie Saab, Hasbro, New Balance, Reebok, and Vera Wang.[2][4][6] In 2010, she appeared on the cover of Boston magazine at the age of 20, while living in Boston.[4]

While pursuing modeling, Simone was encouraged to act by her colleagues. She began to focus on acting when she enrolled at Bunker Hill Community College and then joined the Screen Actors Guild shortly after.[1][4] She relocated to Los Angeles at the age of 21.[3] She has appeared in the feature films Star Trek Into Darkness (2013),[5] 90 Minutes in Heaven (2015), God's Not Dead 2 (2016), and Mother's Day (2016),[1][7] and I Can Only Imagine (2018). She is slated to appear in the upcoming films Unbroken: Path to Redemption, God Bless the Broke Road, and Run the Race.[8] Simone has also appeared in several television series, including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Chuck, and Hitting the Breaks,[4][5] which she co-produced with Pure Flix Entertainment through her company GS Productions.[6][9] In 2015, she created the original series "Love Gianna", launched via YouTube channel by REBL HQ, the digital entertainment studio created by Maker Studios and Full Sail University.[10]

In 2016, Livingly included Simone in their red carpet fashion rankings following the Cannes Film Festival and Teen Choice Awards.[11][12][13] She was also included in Vogue Germany's "Best Dressed" list from the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.[14]

Personal life

Simone founded the Gianna Simone Foundation, which provides rescue as well as support to abused and neglected people and animals.[1][6] The foundation is managed by the National Christian Foundation and supports youth in Maryvale (Los Angeles) and Rwandan genocide survivors.[1][3] Simone also works with the animal rescue group Wings of Rescue, which relocates adoptable pets, on private planes, to no kill shelters and permanent homes.[6][15] Simone also serves on the board of The Plantrician Project.[16]

Simone is of Italian descent and identifies as a Christian and vegan.[4][6] She likes extreme sports, including riding motorcycles and skydiving, and is an avid aerialist and target shooter.[2][6] Simone resides in Los Angeles.[17]

Filmography

Television

See also

References
  1. Maddison, Jacqueline (April 18, 2016). "Hollywood Spotlight: Gianna Simone". Beverly Hills Magazine. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  2. "Summa Cum Laude: Gianna Simone". American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. August 30, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  3. Fleming, Olivia (July 6, 2016). "How This Actress Went from Foster Care to Best Dressed on the Red Carpet". Harper's Bazaar. Hearst. ISSN 0017-7873. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  4. Shuman, Cary (October 26, 2010). "Project Runway – East Boston's Gianna Simone is on the cover of Boston Magazine". East Boston Times-Free Press. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  5. "Her Star-dom Is on the Rise: Gianna Simone Has a Role in the Hit Movie "Star Trek into Darkness"". East Boston Times-Free Press. June 25, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  6. Russo, Elisabetta (April 5, 2016). "Gianna Simone, il sorriso della speranza e della seduzione". L'Italo Americano (in Italian). Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  7. Schumann, Rebecka (April 28, 2016). "'Mother's Day' Actress Gianna Simone Dishes on Working with Julia Roberts and Garry Marshall". International Business Times. IBT Media. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  8. "Gianna Simone". IMDb. Amazon.com. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  9. "Gianna Simone". Naluda Magazine. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  10. Richardson, Matthew (March 20, 2015). "Maker Studios and Full Sail launch new digital studio". Orlando Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved September 14, 2016 – via LexisNexis.
  11. Washington, Tanya Leigh. "Every Gorgeous Gown From the 2016 Cannes Film Festival: Gianna Simone". Livingly. Livingly Media. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  12. "The Best Looks from the 2016 Teen Choice Awards: 18. Gianna Simone". Livingly. Livingly Media. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  13. "Teen Choice Awards 2016 Red Carpet Arrivals: Gianna Simone". E! News. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  14. "Cannes 2016". Vogue Germany. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  15. Manning, Sue (April 9, 2015). "Pilots Donate Time, Fuel to Fly Dogs Facing Euthanasia to Rescue Shelters". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  16. "The Plantrician Project Board of Directors". The Plantrician Project. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  17. "Gianna Simone Interview". upfrontNY. May 4, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.

Further reading
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