Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima, Karlie Kloss, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bündchen, Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell, and Kate Moss.
All these women have one thing in common with junior Gracie Thibault: they are all models.
Thibault has been modeling for a decade. She started modeling when she was four. She does everything from pageants, quinceaneras, photoshoots, and modeling for stores. Thibault does not just model in Illinois, but travels around the country to different events. Thibault is following in her mother’s footsteps and enjoying her passion and love for modeling.
“My mom did modeling throughout her teenage years, so I kind of follow in her footsteps,” Thibault said.
Thibault’s mom has been one of Thibault’s biggest inspirations during her modeling career. Her mom owns a modeling agency that has helped Thibault grow as a model; she has training with that agency every Saturday. Her mom is a great help, and has always been there by her side. Thibault’s mom was the one who signed her up for pageants when she was younger, even though her dad was not that on board with the “whole modeling thing,” her mom has been supportive.
“My mom and everyone on her side of the family is just super supportive: if I’m competing in a pageant they’ll watch the live streams and support me and call me through it,” Thibault said.
Thibault has participated in many events and won many awards during her modeling career. Last year she won The Universal Award and was titled United States of America’s Teen Illinois 2023. She also went to nationals and placed first runner-up before signing with MMG Modeling.
Thibault is trying to model outside of the country: if her schedule allows, she plans to model in El Salvador sometime this year.
“It does get quite difficult, overwhelming at times because there are some times where I have rehearsals like every single day of the week. I set stuff on my calendar a lot so I know exactly what I’m doing and whatnot to plan for the days I have things like modeling or something. Suppose I do have a sports commitment I choose to decline stuff for modeling. I just try to make the most of my time without being overwhelmed,” Thibault said.
Maintaining a work/life balance has been a challenge, as Thibault has always been involved in extracurricular activities and community service as well. She was part of Student Council at Leman Middle School, and even after graduating junior high, Thibault has gone back to help out at school dances.
“I admire that Gracie was always willing to help with whatever was needed. She always went above and beyond, stayed after school on additional days, helped other members, and did it all with a smile on her face and a positive attitude,” LMS Student Council sponsor Carolyn Lekousis said.
At West Chicago Community High School, Thibault is involved in the volleyball and soccer teams as well.
“Gracie trained hard and always tried to be the best she could be. Something I admire in an athlete is someone that is willing to take chances and is not too hard on themselves when they make a mistake. Gracie was very good at brushing off mistakes and trying to get better from them. She showed true mental toughness and grit in volleyball. She also was always supportive and encouraging to her teammates. She cheered loud and picked them up when mistakes were made,” volleyball coach and Social Studies teacher Hollie Donovan said.
Long-term, while Thibault wants to continue modeling in the future, she does not want that to be her main priority. She wishes to go to school and study law.
In the meantime, Thibault mainly works with beginners in the modeling industry and encourages them to focus on the fun aspects of modeling, and to enjoy themselves. She makes sure they put their mental health first, and emphasizes that modeling is not easy.
“People who are doing modeling just because they do it for the pleasure of others or they just get so caught up in the whole beauty standard idea, I just tell them that you have to be yourself because to show everyone how sweet you are you have to be yourself. So I work with a lot of people about going with our guts and also just kind of how they present themselves. So I just kind of say to like dont forget why they’re there,” Thibault said.
