Grace Stevens has always believed she could dance from the moment she took her first steps. Now, at 27, the Auckland native is proving that childhood confidence right, touring the globe and gracing some of the world's most prestigious stages with her incredible talent.

In just the past year alone, Grace's journey has taken her from filming a commercial in Poland to dancing in a music video on the stunning Amalfi Coast. She's performed on stage with Greek Cypriot pop star Anna Vissi in Athens, competed among 800 applicants to secure a coveted spot at Eurovision in Switzerland, and shared the stage with hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg at the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne. Each experience has been a dream come true, but Grace remains wonderfully grounded about her success.

Eurovision was particularly meaningful for Grace, drawing an audience of 200 million viewers. "There were over 800 applicants, and it really felt like a fight to get that spot," she shares. "It was probably the best job experience I've had in terms of the process from top to bottom. The people were so amazing." Her biggest pinch-me moment, however, remains under wraps. She's signed an NDA for an upcoming movie where she plays a backup dancer for an artist she's personally obsessed with. She found out on her birthday that she'd booked the role, calling it "the most incredible feeling of my whole life."

What makes Grace's story even more inspiring is her journey to get here. She once suffered from chronic back pain due to poor core awareness. Working at Les Mills and dedicating herself to core strengthening transformed not just her body, but her entire career trajectory. Now she's a stickler for proper warm-ups and takes dance, yoga, and Pilates classes even on her days off.

Grace's training regimen is impressive. Rehearsals typically run from 10am to 6pm, with show days stretching to 13 to 15 hours. She's mastered everything from hip-hop and street styles to performing complex choreography in high heels. "I do train a lot in a heel because it changes your weight placement and where the groove is," she explains. Her versatility has landed her jobs ranging from Gucci's anniversary party to Dancing on Ice, the MTV EMAs, and commercials for Coca-Cola.

Despite the glamour, Grace faces rejection regularly. Auditions result in nos on a daily basis, but she's developed a healthy mindset around setbacks. She runs regularly, primarily for mental health, using the time to switch off and process her thoughts. "I always try to remind myself the right thing will find me, and it always has so far," she says with genuine optimism.

Her father, Gavin Stevens, a marathon runner, former Olympic cyclist, and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, inspires her work ethic. "Having an example of someone who kind of defied the odds and followed their dreams has been really important to me," Grace reflects.

Why This Inspires: Grace's journey reminds us that success isn't about being the best technical dancer from day one. It's about passion, persistence, and showing up 100 percent every single time. She admits she was never the best at technique growing up, but her love for performance and willingness to go for it without worrying about judgment has helped her stand out. Her advice to aspiring dancers captures her philosophy perfectly: "It's a marathon, not a sprint. If you put in the effort and you're a good person and a good dancer, you'll get there."

Grace follows a plant-based diet, loves cooking for friends, and makes time each day to ground herself in nature at the park next to her house. She believes this is an amazing era for dance, thanks to platforms like TikTok opening up opportunities. With her talent, work ethic, and joyful approach to life, Grace Stevens is proof that following your passion with dedication and heart can truly take you to the world's biggest stages.