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Ella Gross

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Ella Gross
엘라 그로스
Born
Ella McKenzie Gross

(2008-12-01) December 1, 2008 (age 15)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesNabi
Occupations
  • Singer
  • model
  • actress
Years active2011–present
AgentThe Black Label
Musical career
GenresK-pop
InstrumentVocals
Years active2024–present
LabelsThe Black Label
Member ofMeovv

Ella McKenzie Gross (/ɡroʊs/; Korean: 엘라 메켄지 그로스; born December 1, 2008), also known mononymously as Ella, is an American singer, child model, and actress. She first began her career as a model at age two and has modeled for fashion brands such as H&M, Levi's, and GAP. As a singer, Gross debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Meovv in September 2024, under The Black Label.

Early life

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Ella McKenzie Gross was born on December 1, 2008,[1] in Los Angeles, California, to a Korean mother and German American father,[2] with the Korean name Nabi (나비).[3] She also has a younger brother,[4] born two years apart.[5][6] As a child, Gross learned ballet and mixed martial arts.[4]

Career

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2011–2023: Modeling career

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Cited as a "prodigy" in both modelling and acting,[7] Gross first featured on the cover of a magazine at age two,[2] after she was scouted at a park in South Korea.[8] In this time, her father, a former prosecutor in the military, was dispatched to the country from Los Angeles, leading to the whole family's visit.[7] Her mother, who also previously modelled for children's clothing, positively considered the offer.[7] Following a year and a half after starting kindergarten,[7] Gross resumed her modelling advancements;[2] her mother, who worked as a lawyer, had since assisted her daughter's work along her side.[4] Signed to Lvl Up Management,[7] and later L.A. Models,[9] Gross modelled for brands: Zara,[10] H&M,[9] GAP,[8] Fendi,[11] Levi's,[3] and Tommy Hilfiger;[12] and debuted on the runway at age nine at the Tokyo Girls Collection A/W 2018 fashion show held at Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo, Japan, in front of an audience of 30,000 viewers.[13] Gross thereafter walked the runways of Tokyo Girls Collection S/S 2019 and 2019 New York Fashion Week.[12] In July 2019, she also appeared in a commercial for Baskin Robbins in South Korea.[14]

Departing from her former agency, Gross signed with The Black Label in July 2018 to manage her modelling career.[4] Its co-founder, Teddy Park, stated: "She has a special voice that is completely capable for being a singer as well", deeming the potential of joining the music industry.[4] It was also said Rosé of Blackpink had wanted to take a demo song recorded by Gross following a listen.[15] In the midst of her business trips from Los Angeles to South Korea, she further learned dance routines from choreographers in the country.[16] Gross commenced an acting career with the U.S. based company, Monster Talent Management, which also manages the likes of Zendaya and Dylan Minnette.[17]

2024–present: Debut with Meovv

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In February 2024, a series of leaked photos of The Black Label trainees, rumored to be members of the agency's upcoming girl group, quickly spread online, which notably featured Gross.[18] In the same month, the agency announced its plans to launch a new girl group in the first half of 2024.[19] On August 22, 2024, The Black Label revealed Gross as the first member of their company's first girl group, Meovv,[20] which debuted on September 6.[21]

Public image

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Gross attained interest in the United States and abroad for her biracial genes and looks, reminiscent of a young Miranda Kerr.[22] Korean media outlets cited her as a young Song Hye-kyo,[2] or was nicknamed as "little Jennie" by Blackpink fans following a picture posted with the singer.[22][17] Her virality on social media platforms led her Instagram account, handled by her mother at the time, to gain a large following.

Other ventures

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Philanthropy

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Gross has used her platform to address topics including climate change and the war in Ukraine,[23] and served amidst a jury of judges for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) X Uniqlo project entitled "Youth with Refugees Art Contest" in 2023.[24]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Ref.
2019 Malibu Rescue: The Movie Sasha Gossard [23]
2020 Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave [12]

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 Heathers Young Betty — [9]
2019 Malibu Rescue Sasha Gossard Episode 4 (Sand and Deliver) [20]
Teachers Julie Season 3; Episodes 18–19 [8]
2020 Star Trek: Picard Young Soji Episode 6 (The Impossible Box) [12]
2022 Best Foot Forward Ella Episode 6 (Halloween) [citation needed]

Music video appearances

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Year Song title Artist Ref.
2018 "Hello Tutorial" (멋지게 인사하는 법) (featuring Seulgi of Red Velvet) Zion.T [25]

References

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  1. ^ Kim, Hye-young (September 5, 2018). [DA:잡스] 엘라 그로스, 만9세 모델의 일상…'가장 예쁜 소녀' [[DA:Jobs] The Daily Life of 9-year-old Model, Ella Gross, 'The Prettiest Girl']. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Huiwen, Ng (October 27, 2018). "Song Hye-kyo lookalike: Model Ella Gross is just 10 but has 1 million Instagram followers". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b 「童模」Ella Gross 顏值零死角！知名品牌都搶著與她合作！ ["Child Model" Ella Gross's Beauty Is Perfect! Well-known Brands Are Rushing To Collaborate With Her!]. Harper's Bazaar Hong Kong (in Chinese). September 18, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Ariton, Geninna (July 16, 2020). "Who is Ella Gross, the 11-year-old model, actress and influencer – and does she look more like a young Song Hye-kyo, or Blackpink's Jennie?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Lee, Eva; Lin, Cecilia (August 8, 2018). 「最強德韓混血兒童超模」Ella Gross簽進YG成BIGBANG師妹！空靈仙氣美得讓人著迷 ["The Most Powerful German-Korean Child Model" Ella Gross Signed and Became BIGBANG's Junior! The ethereal and fairy-like beauty is so mesmerizing]. Cosmopolitan Taiwan (in Chinese). Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Vogue (July 25, 2018). 세계적인 어린이 모델 엘라 그로스 [World-renowned Child Model Ella Gross]. Vogue Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e Woo, Soo-yeon (July 11, 2018). 세상에서 가장 매력 있는 소녀, 엘라 [The Most Attractive Girl in the World, Ella]. Vogue Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Usui, Anna (September 9, 2018). "美しすぎる9歳"Ella Grossを直撃　TGCで初来日 ["A Beautiful 9-year-old" Ella Gross Comes to Japan for the First Time at TGC]. WWD Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Joung, Audrey (November 22, 2017). "This Gorgeous Korean-American Girl is A Rising Star in Fashion and Hollywood". The Korea Daily. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  10. ^ Lee, Narin (July 4, 2018). "[SBS Star] Korean-American Child Model Ella Gross Signs with YG's The Black Label". SBS News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  11. ^ Sung, Jung-eun (October 26, 2018). 엘라 그로스, 명품브랜드 모델 발탁...`만9세 완성형 미모` [Ella Gross Selected as a Model For a Luxury Brand, 'A Perfect Beauty at the Age of 9']. Maeil Economy (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d Woobin (August 9, 2020). 엘라 그로스, 세계 홀린 미소녀…출연한 영화 美 넷플릭스 1위 [Ella Gross, a Beautiful Girl Who Captivated the World, Movies Starring in #1 on Netflix in the U.S.]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  13. ^ Kim, Hye-young (September 5, 2018). '만 9세 맞아?' 엘라 그로스, 日 도쿄 걸즈 컬렉션서 압도적 존재감 과시 ['You're 9-years-old, Right?' Ella Gross Shows Off Overwhelming Presence in Tokyo Girls Collection]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  14. ^ Choi, Ji-won (July 1, 2019). "Baskin Robbins hit by claims of sexualizing 11-year-old". Korea Herald. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Kim, Eun-ae (July 23, 2018). [공식입장] 더블랙, '키즈모델' 엘라 그로스와 전속계약..테디 "특별한 목소리" [[Official Statement] The Black Label Signs Exclusive Contract with 'Child Model' Ella Gross, Teddy: "Special Voice"]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  16. ^ Park, Han-bit (July 1, 2019). 반짝반짝 빛나는 [Twinkling Sparkle]. W Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Remember Ella Gross, who was nicknamed "Little Jennie"? This is her now". Her World. June 13, 2023. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  18. ^ Woo, Ji-won (February 5, 2024). "Teddy's new girl group grabs attention with their rumored backgrounds". The Chosun Daily. Archived from the original on August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  19. ^ Dong, Sun-hwa (March 3, 2024). "New girl groups to shake up K-pop scene". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Yoo, Hong (August 22, 2024). "Famous child model Ella to debut as member of The Black Label's first girl group". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Shim, Sun-ah (September 6, 2024). "Producer Teddy's girl group Meovv debuts, showcasing dual feline charms". Yonhap. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Nam, Soohyoun; Go, thesun (October 27, 2018). "The So-called 'Little Jennie' Kid Model Signs Contract with YG". The JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Kandangwa, Sumnima (April 10, 2024). "Who is Ella Gross, making her K-pop debut with The Black Label? Known for looking just like Blackpink's Jennie and K-drama queen Song Hye-kyo, the 15-year-old is on the road to stardom". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "Uniqlo and UNHCR unveil 'Hope Away from Home' graphic shirt collection to support refugees". UNHCR. February 22, 2024. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  25. ^ Kwak, Hyun-soo (October 16, 2018). [DAY컷] '키즈 모델 ★' 엘라 그로스, 자이언티 신곡 M/V 속 인형 비주얼 [[DAY Cut] 'Kids Model ★' Ella Gross, Doll-like Visuals in Zion.T's New Song M/V]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
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