Boston-Raised Actress and Model Gianna Simone Shares The City’s Personal Landmarks That Shaped Her Youth

Gianna Simone’s story is a real life Massachusetts fairytale. After finding herself in foster care aged 14, she stayed focused to pursue modelling, which led to a career in acting. Now with film and producing credits such as Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Mother’s Day (2016) and God’s Not Dead 2 (2016) to her name, she’s at home on the red carpet but still remembers her childhood in Boston.

Faneuil Hall

This is where I discovered what I was going to do for the rest of my life.

I was walking and talking with my father – we walked everywhere, because we didn’t have a car, and I was talking with him in a broken-hearted kind of way, searching for what it was I needed to go after in life. I was fifteen. As we were coming out of the subway, walking through Faneuil Hall, he said: “What is it you really want to do?” I said, “I want to model, Dad.” He said, “Okay, well look up some photography schools and find a photographer you like and let’s get you a portfolio.” So that’s what I did. I contacted a few photographers from the New England School of Photography and found Shannon Michelle, whose work blew me away. We’re still friends to this day and have a shoot next week!

Harvard

My father, Anthony D. Baxter, has always been a very positive influence in my life. He has taught me a lot about perseverance by becoming a Harvard graduate and published author of the book Ebullience Brain Stimulation and the Placebo Response with only an 8th grade education. So to say the least, we spent a lot of time in the beautiful ‘Hahvid Yahd’.

The North End

When I was in the early stages of modelling, I had a photo shoot in The North End. It’s an area that’s all about the Italians – food, wine, restaurants, people and so on. I parked my car outside of a cheese shop and when I was getting back into it, a big Italian fella came out and said, “Hey beautiful, if you ever need anything you come in here and see me.” I later told some friends the story and was told that the guy was in fact ‘The Cheese Man’ or ‘The Big Cheese’, a pretty powerful mob boss in Boston!

East Boston’s Holy Redeemer Church

East Boston is where I mainly grew up and I have so many memories of it, especially this beautiful church. I lived right across the street and would wake up to the bells every morning at 9am. It’s where I got baptised for the first time and I’d play for many hours on the big stone stairs out front. I also went to school right next door. Contrary to its beauty, it’s also where I went to many funeral services and I learned about death. It’s a place where I began to hear messages of God’s love for us. That eventually led me into the best relationship I’ll ever have, with Jesus.

Castle Island

Castle Island is so beautiful and so majestic. I loved walking into and around the old fort, seeing and feeling the history that exists there. I highly recommend this place, it’s like Boston’s answer to the Statue of Liberty experience.