Amber Riley
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| Amber Riley | |
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| Born | Amber Patrice Riley February 15, 1986 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
Amber Patrice Riley (born February 15, 1986) is an American actress and singer best known for her role on the series Glee as Mercedes Jones.
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[edit] Early life and career
Riley was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Tiny (née Hightower) and Elwin Riley.[1] Riley auditioned for American Idol when she was 17 years old, during the show's second season, but was turned down by the producers.[2] Amber graduated from La Mirada High School in La Mirada, California in 2004.[3] In 2006, Riley auditioned for the part of Effie White in Dreamgirls, yet was refused because of her age.[clarification needed] Riley appeared at the 2010 MTV VMAs on September 12, 2010.[4]
[edit] Glee and solo album
Riley plays the role of Mercedes Jones on the hit musical comedy-drama Glee. A member of the main cast, she has appeared since the show's pilot, which debuted in May 2009. She has sung numerous solos, including "Respect", "Bust Your Windows", "Hate on Me", "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", "Beautiful", "Bridge over Troubled Water", "I Look to You", "Hell to the No", "Ain't No Way", "Try a Little Tenderness", "Spotlight" and "All I Want for Christmas Is You". Her character gets through her schooldays with her "diva-style", stylish clothes, and her friendship with the only openly gay boy in school, Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer). In 2011, Riley received an NAACP Image Award nomination for her portrayal of Mercedes; she has won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her acting on Glee, along with the show's ensemble, and has also been nominated for a Teen Choice Award for her acting on the show. Her mother was a member of the choir in the song "Like a Prayer"—Mercedes dances with her—during the first season episode "The Power of Madonna". Riley is also making a solo album.[5]
[edit] Philanthropy
In 2011, Riley acted as a campaign spokesperson for http://www.Dosomething.org and VH1 Save The Music Foundation's second annual "Battle for the Bands." Riley starred in a PSA campaign and engaged fans through social media to participate in the campaign that mobilized young people in the fight for keeping music education in schools.[6]
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | St. Sass | Toby | Television film |
| 2009–present | Glee | Mercedes Jones | Series regular Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer (2010) Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Music: Group (shared with Glee cast) (2010) Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer (2011) |
| 2010 | The Simpsons | Aiesha | Episode: "Elementary School Musical" |
| 2011 | Glee: The 3D Concert Movie | Mercedes Jones |
[edit] References
- ^ Ingrassia, Lisa (May 17, 2010). "Glee's Amber Riley: "I Love My Body"". People.com. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20367254,00.html. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
- ^ "Glee Star Amber Riley On Idol Rejection: "I Still Work On Fox And Get Paid"". Accesshollywood.com. September 30, 2009. http://www.accesshollywood.com/glee-star-amber-riley-on-idol-rejection-i-still-work-on-fox-and-get-paid_article_23649. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
- ^ "Dish Of Salt: Glee Premiere Party, LA (September 8, 2009)". Accesshollywood.com. http://www.accesshollywood.com/dish-of-salt-glee-premiere-party-la-september-8-2009_video_1155521. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
- ^ "Amber Riley News, Amber Riley Bio and Photos". TVGuide.com. http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/amber-riley/296388. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
- ^ "GLEEks! Kevin McHale & Amber Riley Are Guest Hosting AT40 This Weekend! - News - American Top 40 With Ryan Seacrest". At40.com. August 10, 2011. http://www.at40.com/news-article/gleeks-kevin-mchale-amber-riley-are-guest-hosting-at40-this-weekend/19603. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
- ^ "DoSomething.org and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation Announce Winners of the "Battle for the Bands"". http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dosomethingorg-and-the-vh1-save-the-music-foundation-announce-winners-of-the-battle-for-the-bands-122172044.html.
[edit] External links
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This article about an American television actor or actress born in the 1980s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1986 births
- African American actors
- African American female singers
- African American television actors
- American Idol participants
- American television actors
- Living people
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- People from Los Angeles, California
- American television actor, 1980s birth stubs
