With metro Atlanta being considered the “Hollywood of the South,” there are opportunities for talented actors, singers and dancers to make a name for themselves here. Nevertheless, competition is fierce and not everyone shines.
But a 14-year-old Summerour Middle School student already has several professional acting roles under her belt. Her shining moment to date is her recently released music video, “Party Like a Sixth Grader.”
From Connecticut to Georgia
Although Kalece Harrison, who goes by Miss Kalece professionally, has lived most of her life in the Peach State, she was born in Connecticut.
“We moved to Georgia when the twins (Kalece and her brother Kaleel) were about 22 months,” said mom Felecia Smith.
It was by coincidence that the family ended up in this entertainment mecca.
“My husband’s family — mother and sister — live here, and he wanted to be closer to them,” Smith said. “I said, ‘OK, we’ve been in Connecticut long enough; I’ll give you a chance to be around your family.’”
Following her dream
Kalece became mesmerized by child actors on the Disney Channel and similar kid shows. That passion prompted her parents to put her in a performing arts school.
“She went to North Metro Academy of Performing Arts and enjoyed every bit of it,” said her mother. “She started singing in the chorus, she joined the theater group, and I didn’t think [anything] of it at all.”
One day, the theater teacher pointed out Kelece’s extraordinary talent, encouraging Smith to take it further. Kalece and her brother ended up in a stage play. That pretty much sealed the deal for Kalece; She was determined to keep up her acting and singing.
It was during a talent show at the Boys and Girls Club that Smith really saw her daughter’s light shine.
“She sang ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke, and tears started streaming down my face,” the mother said. “I was impressed. I said, ‘Oh wow, you really can sing.’ She said, ‘I told you!’”
Rising star
Kalece began her professional career as an extra on the reality show “Mama June: Family Crisis.” She then went on to perform in music videos with some of Atlanta’s noted rappers, such as Young Dro, 42 Dugg, Lil Baby, Mad Marcc and Blac Youngsta. But when the chance to be in the spotlight arose, she took it and created her own rap video.
“Party Like a Sixth Grader” is available on YouTube and Apple Music.
“It’s doing pretty well,” said Smith. “We were so surprised we got more than 5000 views on YouTube.”
Continuing success
Kalece continues to book gigs. She’s been in a play at Lionheart Theatre, performed at a tailgate party outside Mercedes Benz Stadium and is most notably recognized for her role as Kia on TV One’s “Stalked by Her Past.”
She has also been featured in several movies: “Super Turnt,” “Stick Me Up,” and “Fated Reunion” on Tubi and “The Lady Makers” on Prime Video.
Apart from her acting and singing career, Kalece is an active member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, a group of middle and high school students from Gwinnett County Public Schools who meet with Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts to voice their ideas, share suggestions for improving the schools and the district and act as thought partners as they connect with fellow students.
For more information about Miss Kalece, visit linktr.ee/misskalece.
