Grace Harry first made headlines when news of her marriage to R&B legend Usher broke. The couple had a whirlwind romance that captivated fans all over the globe.
People wanted to learn how the couple met, what drew them together, and how they managed to keep their relationship a secret for so long. However, the fairy-tale romance was sadly short-lived. After only about three years together, Grace and Usher parted ways.
Even though Grace Harry has been in the entertainment industry for years, most fans don’t know much about her personal life. So, if you’d like to learn more about the former talent agent, I can help.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Grace Harry’s life, covering everything from her early life to her impressive career!
Grace Harry Profile Summary
| Full Name | Grace Michelle Harry |
| Gender | Female |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, US |
| Date of Birth | 2nd of April, 1969 |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Height | 5’6” (1.68 m) |
| Partners | Usher (ex-husband) and Questlove (boyfriend) |
| Children | Leaf Miguel and Raiden Wolf McLean |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
Grace Harry’s Early Life
Grace Harry was born in Brooklyn, New York, on the 2nd of April, 1969. While the exact details of her upbringing are still a mystery, she has shared a few glimpses into her past and background.
For starters, her father is African-American, and her mother is Caucasian. Speaking of her parents, Grace didn’t have stable role models in her life.
Her dad was an activist who had a history of drug addiction and spent a couple of years in prison. This meant that he was constantly disappearing for long periods.
Also, Grace’s mom gave birth to her when she was only 17 years old. Because of that, her mother couldn’t care for her properly on her own.
That prompted the state to place Grace in foster care. The entrepreneur discussed her time under government guardianship in an interview with ThinkCommon.
She mentioned how she would move around from one foster home to the next until she was finally reunited with her mom a few years later.
Growing up as a mixed-race child in Brooklyn was no easy feat. Grace faced a lot of criticism and racism throughout her childhood, but it only made her a stronger person.
Despite adversity, Grace always had a positive outlook on life and refused to let her circumstances define her. She has an incredible work ethic and exceptional determination, which helped her on her path to success.
Grace Harry’s Education
By all accounts, Grace was a bright, talented young girl with big dreams. Yet, this didn’t translate into the perfect student. She had a tough time focusing on school due to her unstable home life.
She managed to make many friends but struggled when it came to academics. As time passed, Grace began questioning whether a formal education was the right path for her.
So, when she reached high school, she made a difficult decision that would shape the rest of her life. Grace decided to drop out in the 10th grade and pursue her passions outside the traditional classroom setting.
Grace Harry’s Career
Grace Harry’s decision to drop out of high school may have raised eyebrows then, but her success in the professional world speaks for itself. Here’s an in-depth look at some of her most notable ventures:
Culinary Industry
Grace’s first professional gig was in the culinary industry. She chose to turn her love for food and cooking into a lucrative hustle.
That’s when Harry joined the staff of a local catering company. At first, the job was grueling. Grace had to do much of the grunt work as the new kid, which was difficult for a teenager.
However, Harry never backed down from a challenge and quickly worked her way up the food chain. She was ready to branch out into the culinary industry within a few years.
So, she began her career as a private chef, overseeing the quality and flavor of other catering firms. This gave her all the insight she needed to start her own company.
Grace launched a catering business that focused on servicing the entertainment industry. During this time, Harry found herself on the set of The Cosby Show, eventually becoming the executive chef for the production.
Grace provided craft services on set and met industry giants like Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad. However, all good things must come to an end.
When The Cosby Show wrapped up production in 1992, Grace found herself at another fork in the path. She had the option of finding another catering gig, but Harry decided to try her luck in the music industry.
Music Industry
Grace’s experience on the set of The Cosby Show was a massive help when she shifted career paths to the music industry. She relied on the friends and connections she made during that time to get her foot through the door.
However, that doesn’t mean Grace coasted her way to the top. After landing a gig at MCA Records, she started at the bottom of the ladder and worked hard to earn her spot at the label company.
Harry took the time to learn the ins and outs of the music industry and artist management, which allowed her to develop her career quickly.
After her stint at MCA, Grace went on to join Jive Records and then Geffen Records. She held various titles throughout her time with each organization but, for the most part, focused on managing music artists.
Within a few years, Grace climbed the corporate ladder and earned the position of Executive Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services at Island Def Jam Records through sheer hard work and determination.
Self Help
With almost 30 years of experience in the music industry, Grace was ready for a new challenge. Being an executive was financially rewarding, but it left much to be desired regarding personal connections.
Harry’s answer to that was to become a joy strategist. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, I can’t blame you. Think of it as a blend of a life coach and a therapist, with a hint of spiritual healer.
In other words, Grace helps clients find happiness through “playdates,” which include activities based on games from their upbringing. This encourages people to reconnect with their inner child and remember a simpler time when life was less stressful.
In an interview with Vogue, Grace talked about how her new venture has allowed her to help countless people live better, more fulfilling lives. She’s worked with iconic stars like Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill.
Philanthropy
Because of her rough childhood, Grace Harry grew up with a keen awareness of social justice issues. Being subjected to racism from a young age shaped her into a strong person with unshakable values.
So, it’s no surprise that she’s been a social activist for most of her adult life. She’s shed light on several issues like discrimination and inequality in the workplace.
On top of that, Grace serves on the board of her former husband Usher’s charity organization, New Look. It’s a program that educates youths from low-income backgrounds about the business side of the entertainment industry and artist management.
Grace Harry’s Family
Grace Harry made headlines in 2015 when the media learned about her marriage to Usher. Yet, the couple’s union turned sour three years later, and they announced their divorce in a joint statement to Us Weekly.
Harry’s personal life remains somewhat of a mystery outside of her relationship with Usher. She has two children from two previous relationships, Leaf Miguel and Raiden Wolf McLean. However, she never shared the identities of the fathers.
Finally, most people know Harry as Usher’s ex-wife, but he’s not the only celebrity she’s been involved with. Grace is in a relationship with American musician and drummer Questlove, and the couple even shared a tour of their New York City apartment with People Magazine.
Wrapping Up
Grace Harry has worn many hats throughout her professional career. After she started as a catering chef, she became a music industry executive and eventually transitioned to a joy strategist.
We first met Grace in 2015 when she married Usher, but sadly, their relationship only lasted a few years. However, the former talent agent found new love and moved in with the American drummer Questlove.
