Sierra McClain

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 Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018), and as Carina in Shrink (2009). She is currently starring as Grace Ryder in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–present).

Sierra McClain
Born
Sierra Aylina McClain

(1994-03-16) March 16, 1994
Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2005–present
Relatives
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Associated actsThriii

As a singer, she is best known as a member of the sister girl 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, 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

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][18] In March 2012, the group signed with Hollywood Records,[19][20] 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.[21][22]

The next month they performed at the 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll.[23][24] 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.[25] 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;[26] performed at the pre-show for the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards and presented an award;[27] and had their first headlining concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California;[28][29] and performed at 19th Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.[30] From the summer to the fall of 2014, the group embarked on a state fair tour around the United States.[31] In December 2013, China announced on Twitter that A.N.T. Farm would be ending after its third season.[32][33] 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.[34][35][36]

2015–present: Empire and 9-1-1: Lonestar

In September 2015, McClain was cast in a Showtime pilot by Lena Waithe, but it was never picked up.[37] In 2016, McClain was cast and began starring as Nessa Parker, a recurring role, in the television series Empire (2016–2018).[38] 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.[39][40] She next went on to star as Tosha in the dance film Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018).[41] She gained further recognition for starring as main role Tanya Clifton in the second season of the critically acclaimed television series Mindhunter (2019).[42] She gained more attention after starring as main role Grace Ryder in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–present).[43]

In June 2020, her girl group changed their name to Thriii, and performed at Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist.[44]

Personal life

She is a Christian and resides in Los Angeles, California, with her family.[45][46]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2005 The Gospel Youth in Children's Choir
2007 Daddy's Little Girls Sierra
2008 Six Blocks Wide Neighbor Short film
2009 Shrink Carina
2018 Honey: Rise Up and Dance Tosha

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–present 9-1-1: Lone Star Grace Ryder Main role
gollark: Oh, redundancy?
gollark: Why would you want two piholes?
gollark: <@252242879257247751> Wild guess: a loose cable?
gollark: Or ARM or something.
gollark: 32 bit? Must be ancient.

References
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  2. "Michael McClain | Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  3. "China Anne McClain Bio". kidzworld.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  4. "Shontell McClain | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  5. Legg, Catherine (December 12, 2011). "Disney Channel star visits MES". Shelby County Reporter. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  6. "China Anne McClain: 'Farm star, musical prodigy spreads wings". Variety. September 13, 2012. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  7. "Meet the Browns - Season 1 Episode 5". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017.
  8. Barnes, Brooks (May 10, 2011). "Tween Stars Wanted: Must Be Primed for Pressure". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
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  28. "McClain On Headlining At The House Of Blues!". Sweety High. June 27, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  29. Hiser, Lisa (June 30, 2014). "Exclusive: McClain Headline House of Blues Anaheim". Shine On Media. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
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  33. China⁷ (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!". @chinamcclain. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
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  38. Stanhope, Kate (July 13, 2016). "'Empire' Taps Actress and Singer Sierra McClain for Recurring Role (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  39. Tinubu, Aramide (March 21, 2017). "Exclusive: Rising Star Sierra McClain On 'Empire,' Carving Out Her Own Identity, & Putting Those Stunning Vocals To Work - JetMag.com". Jet. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  40. Fisher, Lauren Alexis (December 16, 2016). "Sierra McClain is Bringing Even More Black Girl Magic to 'Empire'". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
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  44. Harnick, Chris (June 30, 2020). "Katy Perry, BTS and More Join Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist". E! Online. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
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