7 Shocking Facts About Gracie Gillam, The 'April Young' Vampire Diaries Actress: What She's Doing In 2025

The actress who brought the tormented preacher's daughter, April Young, to life on *The Vampire Diaries* is Gracie Gillam, formerly known as Grace Phipps. While her run in Mystic Falls was relatively short, her character played a pivotal role in the dramatic events of Season 4, connecting directly to the town's founding families and the horrors inflicted upon them. As of late 2024 and early 2025, Gillam has completely transformed her career, moving beyond teen dramas and Disney Channel musicals to embrace darker, more complex roles in the horror genre, alongside major personal milestones like a recent marriage and academic achievement. This deep dive reveals the latest updates on her career trajectory, her surprising new focus on indie horror, and the complete biography of the star who captivated fans in the supernatural world.

Gracie Gillam: Complete Biography and Profile

Gracie Gillam has built a diverse career spanning major studio films, beloved television series, and a successful shift into the independent horror scene. Her journey from Texas to Hollywood, and her recent academic pursuits, paint the picture of an actress committed to continuous growth and reinvention.

• Full Name: Grace Victoria Phipps (now professionally known as Gracie Gillam)
• Date of Birth: May 4, 1992
• Age (as of December 2025): 33 years old
• Birthplace: Austin, Texas, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Height: Approximately 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
• Known For: April Young in The Vampire Diaries, Lela in Disney Channel’s Teen Beach Movie series, Amy in The Nine Lives of Chloe King, and Sergeant Lilly Mueller in Syfy's Z Nation.
• Marital Status: Married (announced in 2024).
• Education: Reportedly completed a degree at Columbia University.

The April Young Arc: Mystic Falls and The Vampire Diaries Legacy

Gracie Gillam joined the critically acclaimed supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries in 2012 for its highly anticipated fourth season. She was introduced as April Young, the daughter of Pastor Young, a member of the Mystic Falls Town Council and a descendant of one of the town's founding families.

A Central Figure in Season 4's Drama

April Young’s role was far more than a simple guest appearance; she was a catalyst for major plot developments. Her father's death, which was initially deemed a suicide but later revealed to be a murder, thrust April into the center of the town’s dark secrets. Her presence allowed the show to re-explore the history of the Five Hunters and the search for the cure for vampirism, a central theme of the season. April was a friend to both Elena Gilbert and Jeremy Gilbert, and her innocence and vulnerability made her an easy target for the supernatural conflicts engulfing Mystic Falls.

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The character of April Young was a "tortured preacher's daughter," a classic trope that fit perfectly into the show's melodramatic structure. She was often seen wearing the Gilbert family's vervain necklace, which protected her from compulsion, making her a more formidable, albeit unwitting, player in the supernatural chess game. While the character eventually left Mystic Falls, her brief stint is fondly remembered by TVD fans for the emotional weight she carried and her direct connection to the town’s deep-seated lore.

From Disney Beach to Brooklyn Horror: Gracie Gillam's Career Transformation

One of the most fascinating aspects of Gracie Gillam's career is her remarkable ability to pivot between vastly different genres. Her professional evolution is a testament to her range, transitioning seamlessly from a Disney Channel musical star to a fixture in the modern horror landscape.

The Disney Channel Era and Teen Beach Movie

For many, Gillam is instantly recognizable as Lela, the rebellious, pink-clad female lead in the hugely popular Disney Channel Original Movie, Teen Beach Movie (2013), and its sequel, Teen Beach 2 (2015). In these films, she showcased her talents as a singer and dancer, playing a character who breaks free from the restrictive gender roles of a 1960s beach party movie. This role established her as a versatile performer with a strong comedic and musical background.

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The Shift to Horror and Sci-Fi

Following her time on The Vampire Diaries, Gillam made a significant move into the sci-fi and horror genres, a path that has defined her recent work. Her key roles in this space include:

• Z Nation (2014–2018): She starred as Sergeant Lilly Mueller, a main character in the Syfy zombie apocalypse series. This role required a gritty, physical performance, a sharp contrast to her earlier work.
• Superhost (2021): This horror-thriller film is a major highlight, where she plays Rebecca, the unsettling, wild-eyed vacation rental proprietor. Her performance was widely praised for its bizarre and unnerving quality, solidifying her status as a "scream queen."
• Who's Watching (2024): Proving her commitment to the genre, Gillam starred in this horror feature, which premiered at the prestigious Brooklyn Horror Film Festival in 2024. The film, which centers on a stalker narrative, showcases her continued excellence in the thriller space.

7 Key Updates on Gracie Gillam's Life in 2025

Beyond the silver screen, Gracie Gillam has been focused on significant personal and academic milestones, demonstrating a well-rounded life outside of acting. Here are the most current updates:

1. A 2024 Horror Festival Hit: Her film Who's Watching was a featured selection at the 2024 Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, signaling her active and current presence in the independent film world.
2. Academic Achievement: Gillam reportedly completed a degree at the prestigious Columbia University. This pursuit of higher education shows a dedication to personal growth beyond her acting career.
3. Recent Marriage: She announced her marriage in 2024, sharing the news with fans about 309 days ago (as of the current date), which is a major, fresh personal life update.
4. Professional Name Change: Her shift from "Grace Phipps" to "Gracie Gillam" is a deliberate professional rebranding. This change helps mark her transition from early-career roles (like TVD and Disney) to her more mature, genre-focused work.
5. A Fan-Favorite at Conventions: Despite her career pivot, she remains a popular figure at fan conventions, participating in Vampire Diaries and Z Nation panels, proving her lasting connection with her fanbase.
6. Collaboration with TVD Alumni: In a notable reunion, she worked with fellow The Vampire Diaries alum Sara Canning (who played Jenna Sommers) on the 2021 film Superhost, highlighting the interconnected nature of the Mystic Falls cast.
7. Embracing the Genre: Her recent roles show a clear, deliberate focus on the horror and thriller genres, moving away from mainstream teen dramas. This specialization, exemplified by her role as the terrifying Rebecca in Superhost, has given her a strong, unique identity in Hollywood.

From the high-stakes drama of Mystic Falls to the chilling indie horror scene, Gracie Gillam's career is a fascinating study in reinvention. The actress who played April Young has successfully carved out a niche for herself, proving that there is a compelling and diverse life for a star after a major supernatural series ends. Fans can look forward to seeing her continue to excel in the horror space and beyond in 2025.

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