Some people may know Grace Reiter as a high school student at American High — but I regret to inform you that all of it is completely made up. “People think everything’s real,” she says, of the Saturday Night Live-like sketch show that has garnered millions of views on TikTok. “No one’s thinking this is a production company that bought a school.” To set the record straight: “I’m 23 years old and I’m not in high school anymore.”

Known for her sketch comedy, Reiter loves a good rant, fart joke, and taking the bit way too far. The TikTok-star-turned-comedian-turned-actress moved to New York City in December 2024 and, since then, has been busy seeing Broadway shows and hyperfixating on TikTok tarot card readings. (“They tell me I have a lot of eyes on me right now, and a love confession is coming right around the corner.”) While she has dreams to end up on SNL or start her own production company, right now she just wants to make stuff with her friends (“But maybe with way more money”).

Between filming content with her old American High co-stars and going viral on TikTok for pretending she’s on Love Island, most of her time has been dedicated to acting in her first play. Reiter plays multiple characters in the off-Broadway show Ginger Twinsies by Kevin Zak, a parody of The Parent Trap (the Lindsay Lohan version). I caught up with her pre-show to chat about sexual awakenings, unpacking the label of “theater kid,” and what it’s like being recognized IRL.

Q&A With Grace Reiter

BETCHES: You play Chessy in Ginger Twinsies (among other roles). Was Chessy in The Parent Trap (1998) a sexual awakening for you? 

Grace Reiter: I would say this is actually perfect casting because, although I haven’t explicitly confirmed my sexuality — or even know it myself — I identify with “queer adjacent.” I think Kevin [Zak] has finally given me a label. All my lesbian friends remember Tie Dyed Girl and Chessy, and in a way, I do too. And they definitely peaked something, but I may just be adjacent through and through… I don’t know what that means.

I’m literally 16 years old. I’m just a baby girl. I don’t need to know yet. I don’t need to know that yet. So yes, to answer your question, yeah, it piqued something in me, but I don’t know she’s explored that yet.

Queer adjacent? I like that. 

Shout out to the gay people. I love them. Not to be cocky, they like me. I’m adjacent; I’m in the space, but I’m not taking up space. Period. Print that.

I’ll make sure it’s in the headline. I believe this is your first play? 

Yes! I never did plays in high school. I was too scared. I had friends in theater and musicals and stuff, but I myself never did it. Although, okay, technically that’s not totally true. I did do a virtual reality comedy show for Meta in the virtual reality space for probably three or four Meta executives, trying to figure out if they can make virtual reality.

What does a virtual reality play look like? 

It was a comedy show called Skits and Giggles. You can find it deep in my Instagram somewhere. So technically, I have done theater in the virtual world. But traditional theater? No, never.

[Orpheum Theatre] is very ancient. It’s different to me. We read scripts on paper instead of iPads.

It’s surprising to me that you weren’t a theater kid. 

I mean, no, but I did listen to Hamilton a year after it came out. I know all the words. And I like Disney movies, and I’ll sing those songs. I’d see plays at school that they put on. Since coming to New York, I’ve seen Book of Mormon, Hamilton, and Hades Town.

So, you’re also theater kid adjacent. 

Yes, I’m theater kid adjacent. I’m not really anything. I’m not committing to anything ever.

Well, that’s a bummer because my next question is asking you to commit to something. 

Okay, fine.

You’re doing a lot. You’re a comedian, an influencer—

Oh, what is my title?

Yeah, what do you identify with first? 

I feel like “TikToker” or influencer has such a dirty taste. I dream of the day when people are just like, “Oh, she’s an actress.” Probably comedian first, then actor. But I think it’s currently TikToker or influencer.

Most people refer to me as “the girl who does the American High shorts.” That’s my legal name.

How does it feel to be known for those skits? 

I mean, it’s crazy how many people have seen those. So I’m like, “Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, that was me. That was a fun time.” But I’m more than that.

How have you transitioned away from your work with American High? 

I was doing my own stuff, and then I worked with them, and now I’m back to doing my own stuff. It’s a hard transition when you go from completely alone to working with people. And then when you work with people, it’s like, “Oh my god, this is amazing.” And then you go alone and you’re like, “Oh, this is hard.” It takes a village. You’d be surprised, it takes a village to make the fart videos I make. It really does. Or… I’d like a village.

Would you say you’re still close with all of them? 

Oh yeah, of course. Just today I shot a video with Julia [DiCesare]. We’re all still very close. I was just texting Aidan [Micho] and Ryan [Micho] about working on scripts for some movies we’re writing. They’re very good friends. It was a great time. Very formative. I like to say it’s like my college because I didn’t go to college. But then I keep saying everything is like my college.

What else has been your “college”?

Living in New York. It’s kind of like we’re in a dorm and we have roommates.  And I’m just walking down to the mess hall. Everything’s a college. Life is a college. You’re always learning.

What’s it been like being a New York City gal? 

It’s literally “three bucks, two bags, one me.”

She says she’s not a theater kid and yet is throwing out Annie the musical references…

I was like, “Hey, New York City, take me or leave me.” Chew me up, spit me out.

It’s actually insane. I feel bad. People are always like, “What do you think of New York?” And I feel like I cannot hide it on my face that I’m overwhelmed. I think you move here and you say yes to everything, and then you’re burned out in two months. And then you’re like, Why am I burnt out already? Oh, because you did 14 podcasts and you said yes to every comedy show that would have you and dah, dah, dah. So, take New York City slow. She’s here, take her slow.

Great advice. I have a feeling I already know the answer to this based on our convo, but do you feel like your online persona differs from how you are IRL? 

I will say I’m a little more introverted or quiet. You play up for social media, but for the most part, I’m pretty much the same. Maybe 100% more insecure than you think I am. Way more insecure.

I was super insecure when I started [Ginger Twinsies]. I was like, I don’t know any theater references. But everyone was very nice and welcoming. There are no divas on set.

How did you prepare for this role — especially playing multiple characters?

I definitely read the script.

I don’t know… when you put on the clothes and you’re there and you’re with everyone… Oh my God, this is so bad. No, I don’t even think I prepared. I mean, I watched the movie. I also wear Old Navy, which Chessy wears (spoiler alert).

My god. Kevin’s going to read this and be like, What the fuck?

No, this is great. 

Take my words and completely change them.

Yeah, that’s exactly what they pay me to do. 

Just feel free to change it up. Who wants quotes?

You can see Grace Reiter in Ginger Twinsies at the Orpheum Theatre through October 2025.