Clare Grant was born Clare Camille Johnson, in Memphis, Tennessee on August 23, 1979, to parents Clarence and Glenna Johnson. Being first of seven children, she and her siblings were raised in a middle class, conservative Christian family in Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up, she attended White Station High School and later switched to Clear Lake High School where she rounded up middle school.
Following her graduation from high school, Grant proceeded to the University of Memphis where she acquired a degree in Theater. According to sources, it wasn’t all perfect for Grant as she, at some point, had to support herself through college by working as a model under Elite Model Management. Most notable among the brands she modeled for at that time was L’Oréal. However, modeling was just part of a whole lot Grant was doing even while in college.
