Sierra McClain explained
Sierra McClain |
Birth Name: | Sierra Aylina McClain |
Birth Date: | 1994 3, mf=yes |
Birth Place: | Decatur, Georgia, U.S. |
Years Active: | 2005–present |
Module: | Embed: | yes | Background: | solo_singer | Associated Acts: | Thriii |
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Sierra Aylina McClain (born March 16, 1994) is an American actress and singer. As an actress, she was first recognized for her role as Sierra in Daddy's Little Girls (2007). She had her breakthrough as Nessa Parker in Empire (2016–2018), and is also best known for starring as Tanya Clifton in the television series Mindhunter (2019). Her film roles have included starring as Tosha in the films (2018), and as Carina in Shrink (2009). She is currently starring as Grace Ryder in (2020–2023).
As a singer, she is best known as a member of the sister brother group Thriii with her sisters.
Early life
Sierra Aylina McClain was born on March 16, 1994, in Decatur, Georgia.[1] Her father, Michael McClain, is a music producer who produced Solange Knowles' debut album Solo Star (2002).[2] [3] Her mother, Shontell (née Rucker), is a songwriter and former screenwriter.[4] [5] [6] [7] She has two younger sisters, Lauryn and China Anne, who are also actresses and singers, and has a younger brother, Gabriel.[8]
Career
2005–2010: Daddy's Little Girls and 3mcclaingirls
After her sister was discovered in 2004 by a music executive who heard her sing, China was cast in the film The Gospel (2005) with Sierra cast in the children's choir.[9] Around this time the sisters formed the music group the 3mcclaingirls. In December 2005, while on the set of Tyler Perry's House of Payne, China introduced her sisters Sierra and Lauryn to a show producer and the sisters performed a song for him. They were then cast in the film Daddy's Little Girls (2007) as the James sisters, and Sierra guest starred in the series, Tyler Perry's House of Payne.[10] [11] In 2008 the three sisters began posting videos on their YouTube channel of themselves singing covers of songs.[12] McClain had a small role as a neighbor in the short film Six Blocks Wide (2008).[13] The next year, she starred as Carina in the film Shrink alongside Kevin Spacey and Keke Palmer.[14]
2011–2014: McClain Sisters and A.N.T. Farm
See main article: McClain Sisters. After China landed her own show on the Disney Channel called A.N.T. Farm in 2011, McClain and her sisters changed their group name to the McClain Sisters, and sang two songs on the A.N.T. Farm soundtrack: "Perfect Mistake" and "Electronic Apology".[15] Sierra McClain was also a theme music composer for the series.[16] In December the group performed their version of the song "Jingle Bell Rock" at the 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.[17] In March 2012, the group signed with Hollywood Records,[18] [19] released their song "Rise", and was the opening act in Houston at the Houston Rodeo for Big Time Rush on their Better with U Tour.[20] [21]
The next month they performed at the 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll.[22] [23] In November 2012, McClain guest starred with her sister Lauryn and performed the song "Go" during the episode "chANTs of a Lifetime" for A.N.T. Farm.[24] From late 2012 to 2016, McClain and her sisters continued performing and releasing songs. Most notably they released their song "The Great Divide" which peaked at number 4 on Billboard's US Kid Digital Songs;[25] performed at the pre-show for the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards and presented an award;[26] and had their first headlining concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California;[27] [28] and performed at 19th Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.[29] From the summer to the fall of 2014, the group embarked on a state fair tour around the United States.[30] In December 2013, China announced on Twitter that A.N.T. Farm would be ending after its third season.[31] [32] Shortly after this announcement, the McClain Sisters parted ways with Hollywood Records. After leaving the record label, the group changed their name from the McClain Sisters to simply McClain.[33] [34] [35]
2015–present: Empire and 9-1-1: Lone Star
In September 2015, McClain was cast in a Showtime pilot by Lena Waithe, but it was not picked up.[36] In 2016, McClain was cast and began starring as Nessa Parker, a recurring role, in the television series Empire (2016–2018).[37] For the series, she sang several songs for the series' soundtrack, and her role as Nessa is considered her breakthrough role. Her girl group, McClain, went on hiatus after all three sisters booked various acting roles. She next went on to star as Tosha in the dance film Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018).[38] She gained further recognition for starring as main role Tanya Clifton in the second season of the critically acclaimed television series Mindhunter (2019).[39] She gained more attention after starring as main role Grace Ryder in (2020–present).[40]
In June 2020, her girl group changed their name to Thriii and performed at Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist.[41]
Personal life
She is a Christian and resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her family.[42]
Filmography
Film
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|
2007 | Tyler Perry's House of Payne | Jasmine | Episodes: "Paternity and Fraternity: Parts 1 & 2" |
2012 | A.N.T. Farm | Syerra | Episode: "chANTs of a Lifetime" |
2015 | Untitled Lena Waithe Pilot | Jerrika | Pilot (unaired) |
2016–2018 | Empire | Nessa Parker | Recurring role (seasons 3–4) |
2019 | Mindhunter | Tanya Clifton | Main role |
2020–2023 | | Grace Ryder | Main Cast (seasons 1–4) | |
Notes and References
- Web site: May 25, 2011. Decatur Native Becomes Disney Channel Star. April 8, 2020. Decatur-Avondale Estates, GA Patch. en. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200819141323/https://patch.com/georgia/decatur/decatur-native-becomes-disney-channel-star. live.
- Web site: Michael McClain Credits. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160421023031/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/michael-mcclain-mn0001186081. April 21, 2016. April 8, 2020. AllMusic. en-us.
- Web site: China Anne McClain Bio. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121103044907/http://www.kidzworld.com/article/25662-china-anne-mcclain-bio. November 3, 2012. September 26, 2012. kidzworld.com.
- Web site: Shontell McClain Credits. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200819141345/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shontell-mcclain-mn0003828162. August 19, 2020. April 5, 2020. AllMusic. en-us.
- Web site: Legg. Catherine. December 12, 2011. Disney Channel star visits MES. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20120617172833/http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2011/12/12/disney-channel-star-visits-mes/. June 17, 2012. July 15, 2020. Shelby County Reporter.
- Web site: September 13, 2012. China Anne McClain: 'Farm star, musical prodigy spreads wings. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628084615/http://variety.com/2012/tv/news/china-anne-mcclain-farm-star-musical-prodigy-spreads-wings-1118058831/. June 28, 2017. July 15, 2020. Variety. en.
- Web site: Meet the Browns - Season 1 Episode 5. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212134819/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/meet_the_browns/s01/e05. December 12, 2017. Rotten Tomatoes.
- News: Barnes. Brooks. May 10, 2011. Tween Stars Wanted: Must Be Primed for Pressure. en-US. The New York Times. live. April 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190403030646/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/arts/television/tween-stars-wanted-must-be-primed-for-pressure.html. April 3, 2019. 0362-4331.
- Web site: Disney Channel Bio – China Anne McClain. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120429192432/http://disneychannelmedianet.com/web/showpage/showpage.aspx?program_id=900056&type=mcclain. April 29, 2012. Disney Channel Medianet.
- Web site: March 22, 2012. McClain notes on Lionsgate. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100206114300/http://lionsgatepublicity.com/epk/daddyslittlegirls/docs/pro_notes.doc. February 6, 2010. lionsgatepublicity.com.
- Web site: Murray. Cori. June 30, 2017. Growing Up Nicely: The McClains Sisters On Being A Showbiz Family. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716011213/https://www.essence.com/celebrity/sierra-mcclain-growing-nicely/. July 16, 2020. July 15, 2020. Essence. en-US.
- Web site: 3mcclaingirls. April 5, 2020. YouTube. en. August 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822221433/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCksYLtnxiIW0UTegpdbseMQ. live.
- Web site: Sierra Aylina McClain. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200206081146/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2057826/. February 6, 2020. July 15, 2020. IMDb.
- News: Holden. Stephen. July 23, 2009. Physician, Drug Thyself: Psychiatrist in Hollywood. en-US. The New York Times. July 15, 2020. 0362-4331. July 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200715172136/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/movies/24shrink.html. live.
- Web site: A.N.T. Farm - Music on Google Play. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822221456/https://play.google.com/store/music/album/A_N_T_Farm?id=Bwktmko3mdlx7ntummniepgjf54&hl=en_US. August 22, 2020. May 30, 2020. Google Play. en.
- Web site: Sierra McClain - Music Credits. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716123840/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sierra-mcclain-mn0002798879/credits. July 16, 2020. July 15, 2020. AllMusic. en-us.
- Web site: OneRepublic and China Anne McClain and The McClain Sisters Perform for The 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade TigerBeat. April 5, 2020. en-US. August 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200819141350/https://tigerbeat.com/2011/11/exclusive-bop-and-tiger-beats-photo-shoot-with-china/onerepublic-and-china-anne-mcclain-and-the-mcclain-sisters-perform-for-the-2011-disney-parks-christmas-day-parade/. live.
- Web site: June 14, 2011. McClain Sisters Sign with Hollywood Records. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130126042852/http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2012/03/13/mcclain-sisters-sign-with-hollywood-records/. January 26, 2013. February 9, 2013. Black Celeb Kids.
- Web site: March 13, 2012. McClain Sisters Now Signs with Hollywood Records. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200715073538/http://www.clintonlindsay.com/2012/03/14/mcclain-sisters-now-signs-to-hollywood-records/#:~:text=March%2013,%202012%20(Miami,,Disney%20Channel%27s%20hit%20series%20%E2%80%9CA.N.T.. July 15, 2020. July 15, 2020. Clinton Lindsay.
- Web site: Guerra. Joey. March 5, 2012. Big Time Rush show leaves little to like. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200712060713/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Big-Time-Rush-show-leaves-little-to-like-3381325.php. July 12, 2020. April 6, 2020. Houston Chronicle. en-US.
- Web site: January 9, 2012. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Officials Announce Star-studded Entertainer Lineup, Ticket Sales Information. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200602033325/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/houston-livestock-show-and-rodeo-officials-announce-star-studded-entertainer-lineup-ticket-sales-information-136945508.html. June 2, 2020. April 6, 2020. PR Newswire. en.
- Web site: Slack. Megan. April 9, 2012. The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216102004/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/04/09/2012-white-house-easter-egg-roll. February 16, 2017. July 11, 2020. White House. en.
- Web site: Zhang. Joanna. April 10, 2012. Let's Go, Let's Play, Let's Move! The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll Let's Move!. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328223819/https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/04/10/lets-go-lets-play-lets-move-2012-white-house-easter-egg-roll. March 28, 2017. July 11, 2020. Let's Move!.
- West. Abby. November 19, 2012. Watch the McClain Sisters unite on 'The A.N.T. Farm'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822221449/https://ew.com/article/2012/11/19/mcclain-sisters-at-farm-exclusive-video/. August 22, 2020. July 12, 2020. Entertainment Weekly. EN.
- Web site: September 8, 2012. January 26, 2013 - Kid Digital Songs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161024230544/http://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/2013-01-26/kid-digital-songs. October 24, 2016. September 13, 2012. Billboard.
- Web site: March 28, 2013. Exclusive: McClain Makes Special Announcement. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822221423/https://www.jetmag.com/entertainment/exclusive-mcclain-makes-special-announcement/. August 22, 2020. July 12, 2020. Jet.
- Web site: June 27, 2014. McClain On Headlining At The House Of Blues!. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822221448/https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/mcclain-house-of-blues-anaheim. August 22, 2020. July 12, 2020. Sweety High. en-US.
- Web site: Hiser. Lisa. June 30, 2014. Exclusive: McClain Headline House of Blues Anaheim. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200712005701/https://www.shineon-media.com/2014/06/30/exclusive-mcclain-headline-house-of-blues-anaheim-check-out-videos/. July 12, 2020. July 12, 2020. Shine On Media. en-US.
- Web site: Aug 2014. 2014 Arthur Ashe Kids' Day Talent. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200713051813/http://www.arthurashekidsday.com/news/2014_arthur_ashe_kids__day_talent/. July 13, 2020. July 13, 2020. Arthur Ashe Kids' Day. en.
- Web site: Oskin. Allison. September 10, 2014. McClain Performs on FOX43. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822221450/https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/contests/mcclain-performs-on-fox43/521-74b2c538-dc23-4f68-bfbe-2037396eea28. August 22, 2020. July 12, 2020. WPMT. en-US.
- Web site: Kimball. Trevor. February 24, 2014. A.N.T. Farm: Disney Series Finale Airs March 21st. July 13, 2020. TV Series Finale. en-US.
- Web site: China† . December 26, 2013 . It was GREAT filming ANT Farm but after 3 seasons it's come to an end. I'm excited about my secret projects and keeping you guys happy! . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140109072300/https://twitter.com/chinamcclain/status/416460834571694080 . January 9, 2014 . April 5, 2020 . @chinamcclain . en.
- Web site: McClain Interview. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140609213841/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ANeuNPocI. June 9, 2014. MaximoTV.
- Web site: McClain Interview - ClevverTV. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170609021208/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aCoCtGT5is. June 9, 2017. ClevverTV.
- Web site: mcclain. April 6, 2020. www.facebook.com. en. August 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200822221502/https://www.facebook.com/mc.clain. live.
- Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. September 10, 2015. Showtime's Lena Waithe Pilot Casts Sextet Of Actors, Adds Elwood Reid As EP. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200717040821/https://deadline.com/2015/09/aisha-hinds-tequan-richmond-showtime-cast-lena-waithe-pilot-elwood-reid-1201520442/. July 17, 2020. July 15, 2020. Deadline. en.
- Web site: Stanhope. Kate. July 13, 2016. 'Empire' Taps Actress and Singer Sierra McClain for Recurring Role (Exclusive). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716080455/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/empire-season-3-sierra-mcclain-910461. July 16, 2020. July 15, 2020. The Hollywood Reporter. en.
- Web site: Honey: Rise Up and Dance. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200823160420/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/honey_rise_up_and_dance. August 23, 2020. Rotten Tomatoes.
- Web site: Paige. Rachel. August 16, 2019. Meet The "Mindhunter" Season 2 Cast. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200715093543/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/08/240455/mindhunter-season-2-cast-actors-guide-netflix#slide-14. July 15, 2020. July 15, 2020. Refinery29. en.
- Web site: Thorne. Will. September 20, 2019. Ronen Rubinstein, Sierra McClain Join '9-1-1' Spinoff at Fox. July 15, 2020. Variety. en. December 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191207083916/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/ronen-rubenstein-sierra-mcclain-join-9-1-1-spinoff-fox-1203343354/. live.
- Web site: Harnick. Chris. June 30, 2020. Katy Perry, BTS and More Join Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200710191443/https://www.eonline.com/news/1166365/katy-perry-bts-and-more-join-radio-disney-presents-ardys-summer-playlist. July 10, 2020. July 12, 2020. E! Online.
- Web site: Biography of China. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121125013234/http://chinaanne.net/chinaanne/biography/. November 25, 2012. September 26, 2012. chinaanne.net.