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Rachel Grant Interview: An Actor’s Journey from Nottingham to Hollywood
Early Inspirations and Career Beginnings
Introduction
Rachel Grant is an actor and award-winning presenter, best known for playing Peaceful Fountains of Desire in the James Bond film Die Another Day. In this interview, she shares her journey from Nottingham to Hollywood, the realities of building a career in entertainment, and her advice for aspiring creatives.
A Childhood Steeped in the Arts
I was born in the Philippines and raised in Nottingham, England, where the arts were a big part of my childhood. As the middle of three performing sisters, I grew up in a world filled with stage shows, dance and drama classes, and competitions throughout the year. My mother made hundreds of costumes for all our performances, while I loved designing all my props and headpieces.
First Steps into the Industry
Starting my career was an exciting journey, opening doors to a variety of experiences. At 18, I earned my Equity card by understudying the Princess in Aladdin at the Oxford Playhouse.
From there, I worked on pop videos, hair shows, and appeared in dozens of commercials—one of which became a huge hit, ranking #2 of all time in the UK. I’ve presented travel shows and infomercials, directed short films, and had the chance to work on British TV shows and incredible films—including a Bond movie!
Today, I regularly write, produce, and appear in commercials for travel-related products, which has led to some exciting awards. I also enjoy auditioning for a variety of acting and hosting opportunities, always looking forward to the next adventure.
What inspired Rachel’s creative career?
A major inspiration in my childhood was my dance teacher, Miss Nora Morrison MBE. She wrote hundreds of musicals and was constantly staging performances—she gave me speaking roles and introduced us to the magical world of theatre. Every show we performed raised money for charity, primarily the Nottingham Blind Institute, where Miss Morrison also taught.
We performed everywhere—on stage, in hospitals, market squares, old peoples homes and churches. Being part of a team, putting on live productions, bringing joy to audiences, and raising funds for a good cause felt incredibly meaningful. It became such an ingrained part of our lives and happiness that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
I did well in school, but I never once considered another path. Fortunately, I had incredibly supportive parents who encouraged me to follow my passion. I was so inspired by and grateful to Miss Morrison—who continued teaching until she passed away at 97—that in 2010, I nominated her for a Queen’s Honour. She was rightfully awarded an MBE, and I had the privilege of accompanying her to Buckingham Palace to receive it.
Key traits for success
Passion
Passion has fueled my love for storytelling, travel, and philanthropy, keeping me motivated and open to opportunities. It has often meant giving time and energy, even without financial reward, but those experiences have led to some of my greatest successes.
When you love what you do, you’re willing to take on projects without pay because the rewards often come in fulfilling and unexpected ways. One opportunity that started as volunteer work led to one of the best-paying jobs I’ve ever had. And it’s happened more than once, proving that when you lead with passion, success often follows.
Resilience
The entertainment industry comes with many challenges, and at times, it’s been upsetting, cruel, and even heartbreaking. I’ve been rejected and scrutinised in every way imaginable—my looks, weight, abilities, ethnicity, and more.
At the beginning of my career, I received so many rejection letters.
Instead of letting it defeat me, I used it as motivation to find another way forward. I kept knocking on doors and creating my own opportunities. Over time, that resilience led to some of my biggest successes—landing roles, securing hosting jobs, and even producing my own projects.
Adaptation
Adapting to an ever-changing industry and environment has been essential. Over time, I’ve learned new tools and technologies, from filming, self-taping, and editing to connecting with the industry in new ways.
One example of adapting was in 2016 when I made an online commercial called “how to pack 100 items in a carry-on.” It unexpectedly gained attention and was covered by numerous media outlets worldwide, garnering over 10 million views in just a few days. As a result, I was invited to guest host on several TV and radio shows, some even offering SAG contracts.
A day in the life of an actor and presenter
Preparation and Research
It depends on the project I’m working on. If it’s an acting role that requires physical abilities, I typically work with an acting coach, train daily, and even dress for the part while preparing.
If I’m presenting/hosting a travel show, I immerse myself in research—learning about the destination, its people, and culture. Early in my hosting career, everything was scripted, but now I need to speak off the cuff, which means being deeply knowledgeable about every aspect of the place or activity I’m presenting.
Production and Collaboration
When producing online commercials, I start by brainstorming storytelling-driven titles to spark creativity. From there, I create storyboards using visual references, collaborate with the production team, build sets, and gather props. I usually appear in everything I produce, though I occasionally cast other talent, which has been an interesting shift in perspective.
No matter the project, staying physically fit and well-rested is essential. Long hours, travel, and jet lag can be demanding, so I make it a priority to work out and get as much rest as possible before filming begins.
Memorable Projects
Sci-Fright on Syfy
One of my favorite roles was playing the horror host Nina on Sci-Fright, the Friday night show on the UK’s Syfy Channel. Nina was a fabulously wacky yet glamorous character, with incredible makeup and costumes in every scene. I had so much creative freedom with the role—it was always a blast!
Everything was filmed in a single take with a standing camera, much like theatre, which made it exciting to perform each scene continuously. The amount of dialogue I had to learn was a challenge, but that made it even more thrilling. The Friday night strand became Syfy’s most popular show, and it was amazing to watch it evolve and see the ratings grow.
Die Another Day
That said, my role in Die Another Day means even more to me now than it did over 20 years ago. I never imagined how much being part of a Bond film would continue to impact my life. I still get invited onto TV shows, podcasts, YouTube channels and to Bond events all over the world—including Paris, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand. Last year, I attended a Bond fan gathering in New Jersey, USA, where I dressed as my Bond character, Peaceful.
Every photo I signed raised money for charity, and within a few hours, I raised over $2,000—enough to kickstart the Meals of Joy feeding program for special needs children in Bolinao, Philippines, which is still on-going today.
I feel luckier now to have booked that Bond gig than I did all those years ago. It’s my favorite role not just because of what it was, but because of what it continues to be—a lifelong journey that allows me to connect with people and make a real impact.
Advice for Aspiring Creatives
Our stage teacher, Miss Nora Morrison MBE, would always say, “The show must go on.” For some reason, those words always stuck with me, and I still find myself using them today.
The show must go on is about resilience, commitment, and perseverance. In both life and work, challenges, mishaps, and unexpected obstacles are inevitable. But like a performer who keeps going despite difficulties, we push forward.
It’s also about professionalism and dedication. It’s about showing up, even when things aren’t perfect—because the journey doesn’t stop for obstacles. It continues, and so do we.
Lastly:
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Dream big, but stay grounded and humble—never forget where you came from, as it can keep you balanced in an unpredictable industry.
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Stay active and take care of your health, both physically and mentally. Don’t compare yourself to others; everyone has their own path and something unique to offer.
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Be yourself, take risks, but also have a solid foundation to fall back on. This industry can be unpredictable, so resilience and adaptability are key.
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Most importantly, prioritise your happiness. At the end of the day, success means little if you’re not enjoying the journey.
About Rachel Grant
Rachel Grant is an accomplished actor and award-winning presenter and host, best known for her role in the James Bond film Die Another Day. With extensive experience in travel hosting, she has worked with leading brands and explored over 80 countries. Born in the Philippines and raised in the UK, Rachel is also dedicated to philanthropy, supporting underprivileged children in the Philippines and serves as a guest speaker for the UK charity Speakers for Schools.
Connect with Rachel Grant
Readers can find out more about Rachel Grant on her social media platforms and on her website:
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Facebook: facebook.com/missrachelgrant
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Instagram: @missrachelgrant
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TikTok: @TravelsWithRachel
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Website: www.rachelgrant.com
Headshot by Ivan Weiss.
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