Animating multiple gradient points?

I made this image in illustrator with the gradient and grain(vertical) effect and I’m trying to take it over to after effects to animate but I can’t figure out how to make a gradient with more than 4 points, the most important thing is the heart shape. I’d have loved to do a puppet warp style animation, hopefully someone here can lead me in the right direction. Thank you!

I made this image in illustrator with the gradient and grain(vertical) effect and I’m trying to take it over to after effects to animate but I can’t figure out how to make a gradient with more than 4 points, the most important thing is the heart shape. I’d have loved to do a puppet warp style animation, hopefully someone here can lead me in the right direction. Thank you!