Ella Gross

Ella McKenzie Gross (/ɡroʊs/; Korean: 엘라 메켄지 그로스; born December 1, 2008), also known mononymously as Ella, is an American singer, child model, and actress. She first began her career as a model at age two and has modeled for fashion brands such as H&M, Levi's, and GAP. As a singer, Gross debuted as a member of the South Korean girl group Meovv in September 2024, under The Black Label.

Ella McKenzie Gross was born on December 1, 2008,^[1] in Los Angeles, California, to a Korean mother and German American father,^[2] with the Korean name Nabi (나비).^[3] She also has a younger brother,^[4] born two years apart.^[5][6] As a child, Gross learned ballet and mixed martial arts.^[4]

Cited as a "prodigy" in both modelling and acting,^[7] Gross first featured on the cover of a magazine at age two,^[2] after she was scouted at a park in South Korea.^[8] In this time, her father, a former prosecutor in the military, was dispatched to the country from Los Angeles, leading to the whole family's visit.^[7] Her mother, who also previously modelled for children's clothing, positively considered the offer.^[7] Following a year and a half after starting kindergarten,^[7] Gross resumed her modelling advancements;^[2] her mother, who worked as a lawyer, had since assisted her daughter's work along her side.^[4] Signed to Lvl Up Management,^[7] and later L.A. Models,^[9] Gross modelled for brands: Zara,^[10] H&M,^[9] GAP,^[8] Fendi,^[11] Levi's,^[3] and Tommy Hilfiger;^[12] and debuted on the runway at age nine at the Tokyo Girls Collection A/W 2018 fashion show held at Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo, Japan, in front of an audience of 30,000 viewers.^[13] Gross thereafter walked the runways of Tokyo Girls Collection S/S 2019 and 2019 New York Fashion Week.^[12] In July 2019, she also appeared in a commercial for Baskin Robbins in South Korea.^[14]

Departing from her former agency, Gross signed with The Black Label in July 2018 to manage her modelling career.^[4] Its co-founder, Teddy Park, stated: "She has a special voice that is completely capable for being a singer as well", deeming the potential of joining the music industry.^[4] It was also said Rosé of Blackpink had wanted to take a demo song recorded by Gross following a listen.^[15] In the midst of her business trips from Los Angeles to South Korea, she further learned dance routines from choreographers in the country.^[16] Gross commenced an acting career with the U.S. based company, Monster Talent Management, which also manages the likes of Zendaya and Dylan Minnette.^[17]

In February 2024, a series of leaked photos of The Black Label trainees, rumored to be members of the agency's upcoming girl group, quickly spread online, which notably featured Gross.^[18] In the same month, the agency announced its plans to launch a new girl group in the first half of 2024.^[19] On August 22, 2024, The Black Label revealed Gross as the first member of their company's first girl group, Meovv,^[20] which debuted on September 6.^[21]

Gross attained interest in the United States and abroad for her biracial genes and looks, reminiscent of a young Miranda Kerr.^[22] Korean media outlets cited her as a young Song Hye-kyo,^[2] or was nicknamed as "little Jennie" by Blackpink fans following a picture posted with the singer.^[22][17] Her virality on social media platforms led her Instagram account, handled by her mother at the time, to gain a large following.

Gross has used her platform to address topics including climate change and the war in Ukraine,^[23] and served amidst a jury of judges for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) X Uniqlo project entitled "Youth with Refugees Art Contest" in 2023.^[24]

• Ella Gross at IMDb