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Sierra McClain

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Sierra McClain
McClain at the 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade
Born
Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2005–present
Relatives
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano

Sierra McClain 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 starred as Grace Ryder in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–2023).

As a singer, she is best known as a member of the sister brother group Thriii with her sisters.

Early life

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McClain's father, Michael McClain, is a music producer who produced Solange Knowles' debut album Solo Star (2002).[1][2] Her mother, Shontell (née Rucker), is a songwriter and former screenwriter.[3][4][5][6] She has two younger sisters, Lauryn and China Anne, who are also actresses and singers, and has a younger brother, Gabriel.[7]

Career

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2005–2010: Daddy's Little Girls and 3mcclaingirls

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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.[8] 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.[9][10] In 2008 the three sisters began posting videos on their YouTube channel of themselves singing covers of songs.[11] McClain had a small role as a neighbor in the short film Six Blocks Wide (2008). The next year, she starred as Carina in the film Shrink alongside Kevin Spacey and Keke Palmer.[12]

2011–2014: McClain Sisters and A.N.T. Farm

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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".[13] Sierra McClain was also a theme music composer for the series.[14] In December the group performed their version of the song "Jingle Bell Rock" at the 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.[15][16] In March 2012, the group signed with Hollywood Records,[17][18] 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.[19][20]

The next month they performed at the 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll.[21][22] 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.[23] 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;[24] performed at the pre-show for the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards and presented an award;[25] and had their first headlining concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California;[26][27] and performed at 19th Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.[28] From the summer to the fall of 2014, the group embarked on a state fair tour around the United States.[29] In December 2013, China announced on Twitter that A.N.T. Farm would be ending after its third season.[30][31] 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.[32][33][34]

2015–present: Empire and 9-1-1: Lone Star

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In September 2015, McClain was cast in a Showtime pilot by Lena Waithe, but it was not picked up.[35] In 2016, McClain was cast and began starring as Nessa Parker, a recurring role, in the television series Empire (2016–2018).[36] 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).[37] She gained further recognition for starring as main role Tanya Clifton in the second season of the critically acclaimed television series Mindhunter (2019).[38] She gained more attention after starring as main role Grace Ryder in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–present).[39]

In June 2020, her girl group changed their name to Thriii and performed at Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist.[40]

Personal life

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She is a Christian and resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her family.[41]

Filmography

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Film

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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
2024 Brewster's Millions: Christmas Toya

Television

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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 9-1-1: Lone Star Grace Ryder Main role (seasons 1–4)

References

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  1. ^ "Michael McClain | Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "China Anne McClain Bio". kidzworld.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  3. ^ "Shontell McClain | Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Meet the Browns - Season 1 Episode 5". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Disney Channel Bio – China Anne McClain". Disney Channel Medianet. Archived from the original on April 29, 2012.
  9. ^ "McClain notes on Lionsgate". lionsgatepublicity.com. March 22, 2012. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010.
  10. ^ Murray, Cori (June 30, 2017). "Growing Up Nicely: The McClains Sisters On Being A Showbiz Family". Essence. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  11. ^ "3mcclaingirls". YouTube. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  12. ^ Holden, Stephen (July 23, 2009). "Physician, Drug Thyself: Psychiatrist in Hollywood". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  13. ^ "A.N.T. Farm - Music on Google Play". Google Play. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  14. ^ "Sierra McClain - Music Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  15. ^ Christmas Parade 2011 McClain Sisters - Celebrity Take with Jake, archived from the original on February 3, 2018, retrieved April 5, 2020
  16. ^ "OneRepublic and China Anne McClain and The McClain Sisters Perform for The 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade | TigerBeat". Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  17. ^ "McClain Sisters Sign with Hollywood Records". Black Celeb Kids. June 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  18. ^ "McClain Sisters Now Signs with Hollywood Records". Clinton Lindsay. March 13, 2012. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  19. ^ Guerra, Joey (March 5, 2012). "Big Time Rush show leaves little to like". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  20. ^ "Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Officials Announce Star-studded Entertainer Lineup, Ticket Sales Information". PR Newswire. January 9, 2012. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  21. ^ Slack, Megan (April 9, 2012). "The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll". White House. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  22. ^ Zhang, Joanna (April 10, 2012). "Let's Go, Let's Play, Let's Move! The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll | Let's Move!". Let's Move!. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  23. ^ West, Abby (November 19, 2012). "Watch the McClain Sisters unite on 'The A.N.T. Farm'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  24. ^ "January 26, 2013 - Kid Digital Songs". Billboard. September 8, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  25. ^ "Exclusive: McClain Makes Special Announcement". Jet. March 28, 2013. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  26. ^ "McClain On Headlining At The House Of Blues!". Sweety High. June 27, 2014. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ "2014 Arthur Ashe Kids' Day Talent". Arthur Ashe Kids' Day. August 2014. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  29. ^ Oskin, Allison (September 10, 2014). "McClain Performs on FOX43". WPMT. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  30. ^ Kimball, Trevor (February 24, 2014). "A.N.T. Farm: Disney Series Finale Airs March 21st". TV Series Finale. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  31. ^ 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!". @chinamcclain. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  32. ^ "McClain Interview". MaximoTV. January 12, 2014. Archived from the original on June 9, 2014.
  33. ^ "McClain Interview - ClevverTV". ClevverTV. July 13, 2014. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017.
  34. ^ "mcclain". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  35. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 10, 2015). "Showtime's Lena Waithe Pilot Casts Sextet Of Actors, Adds Elwood Reid As EP". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  36. ^ Stanhope, Kate (July 13, 2016). "'Empire' Taps Actress and Singer Sierra McClain for Recurring Role (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  37. ^ "Honey: Rise Up and Dance". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020.
  38. ^ Paige, Rachel (August 16, 2019). "Meet The "Mindhunter" Season 2 Cast". Refinery29. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  39. ^ Thorne, Will (September 20, 2019). "Ronen Rubinstein, Sierra McClain Join '9-1-1' Spinoff at Fox". Variety. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "Biography of China". chinaanne.net. Archived from the original on November 25, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
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