[1] His father is a Filipino of the Chavacano ethnic group from Zamboanga admixture.

[2][3][4] Granaderos graduated from Portage Northern High School and later attended Michigan State University, where he majored in advertising and played on the Michigan State Spartans men's soccer team.

[5][6] Before beginning his acting career, he worked as a production assistant on the short film Committed.

Granaderos had originally auditioned for the roles of Justin Foley, Tony Padilla and Jeff Atkins, before being cast as Montgomery De La Cruz.

[7] He was represented by Silver Mass Entertainment and AKA Talent Agency.