Amber Riley

Amber Patrice Riley[1] (born February 15, 1986), sometimes known mononymously as Riley (stylized in all caps), is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her portrayal of Mercedes Jones on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee (2009–2015). For her performance on the series, she and the rest of the cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award, and have been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, and a Grammy Award.

"Riley (singer)" redirects here. Not to be confused with Reiley (singer).
Amber Riley
Riley in 2019
Born
Amber Patrice Riley

(1986-02-15) February 15, 1986
Compton, California, U.S.
Other namesRiley
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2002–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Labels

In 2016, Riley originated the lead role of Effie White in the West End debut of Dreamgirls.[2] She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance in 2017 for her work.[2][3]

Riley won season 17 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013.[4] In 2017, Riley appeared as a judge on BBC One musical theatre talent show Let It Shine and formed a musical theatre supergroup with Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson, known collectively as Leading Ladies and signed to East West Records/Warner. Her debut album, Songs from the Stage, was released on November 17, 2017. She participated on the American and British versions of The Masked Singer.

Early life

Riley was born in Los Angeles County, California, with a mother of the maiden name Hightower. She has two older sisters, Toiya and Ashley.[5] Riley auditioned for American Idol when she was 17 years old, during the show's second season, but was turned down by the producers.[6] She graduated from La Mirada High School in La Mirada, California in 2004.[5][7]

Career

2009–2019: Breakthrough with Glee and other appearances
Riley at a Toys for Tots event in December 2009

In 2008, Riley was cast in the role of Mercedes Jones on the comedy-drama television series Glee, and appeared as a main cast member for all but one of the six seasons—she received guest star credit during season 5.[8] Riley performed numerous solos throughout the series' run, 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", "Ain't No Way", "Try a Little Tenderness", "Spotlight", "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and, three days after Whitney Houston's death, performed a tribute version of "I Will Always Love You". She also played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the episode "The Rocky Horror Glee Show", singing the lead on the song "Sweet Transvestite" to generally positive reviews from critics.[9][10] For her role as Mercedes Jones, Riley won a Screen Actors Guild Award and received nominations for three NAACP Image Awards and three Teen Choice Awards.

Riley appeared at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards and later sang the national anthem at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[11] She also co-wrote a track titled "Leave a Light On" for British group The Saturdays, which is featured on their album Living for the Weekend.[12] In January 2014, Riley and her sister Ashley launched a plus size online clothing boutique, Rileyland Fashions. She also models the garments. Riley's debut single, "Colorblind", premiered live on April 3, 2014, on The Queen Latifah Show. The song was written by Emeli Sandé, Claude Kelly and Steve Mac, and was released as a digital download on April 8, 2014. It was expected to be the lead single off her debut album.[13] The song was also performed by Riley on Glee. In 2015, it was reported that Riley would star in a Christmas television film, her first movie role, and her first acting role, since Glee.[14] In December 2015, she portrayed Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, in NBC's live performance of The Wiz.[15] In February 2016, it was announced that Riley would portray the lead role of Effie White in Dreamgirls, at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End, beginning performances in November 2016.[16] Riley recorded a number of tracks for Todrick Hall's visual album Straight Outta Oz.[17] Also in 2016 she performed the national anthem at the second game of the 2016 NHL Stadium Series featuring the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche at Coors Field.

In 2017, Riley teamed up with British singers Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson to form a musical theatre supergroup, known collectively as the Leading Ladies. Their debut album, Songs from the Stage, was released on November 17, 2017 and features covers songs from Cats, Beautiful and Rent among others.[18]

In 2019, she took on the role of Audrey II, the carnivorous singing plant, in Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse.[19]

Dancing with the Stars

In 2013, Riley won the seventeenth season of ABC's dancing competition Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with the show's one and only six-time champion, Derek Hough.[20] Riley and Hough tied the record for highest first-week score of 27, received 5 perfect scores of 30, and only received a score lower than 8 one time. Riley is the first African-American woman to win Dancing With the Stars.[21]

Performances

2020–2022: RILEY

On February 28, 2020, Riley confirmed she finished recording songs for her debut extended play.[22] Following her Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance on August 28 it was announced her EP would be released on October 2. She later confirmed she would be performing under the name "Riley" (stylized in all caps as "RILEY") and released the single "A Moment" on September 4.[23][24] "BGE" (initialism for big girl energy) was released as the second single from the EP on September 18, alongside its music video.[25] The EP was released on October 2, 2020, featuring a total of six tracks. On October 8, 2020 she released a music video for the track "Creepin'".[26]

2022-present: "The Masked Singer" appearances and upcoming album

In Fall 2022, Riley competed on season eight of The Masked Singer as "Harp". She went on to win the season.[27] Later, in 2023, she competed as "Jellyfish" on the fourth season of The Masked Singer UK and finished in fourth place. In February 2023, she confirmed her debut album would be released later in the year. [28]

Filmography
Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
2002 St. Sass Toby Unsold pilot
2009–2015 Glee Mercedes Jones Main role (seasons 1—4, 6); Recurring role (season 5); 93 episodes
2010 The Simpsons Aiesha (voice) Episode: "Elementary School Musical"
2011 Glee: The 3D Concert Movie Mercedes Jones Concert film
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself / Guest judge
2013 Dancing with the Stars Herself / Contestant Season 17 winner
2014 Dancing with the Stars Herself / Performer Season 18, episode: "The Finals Award Show"
2015 My One Christmas Wish Jackie Turner Television film
2015 The Wiz Live! Addaperle Television special
2016 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Dream Ghost #2 Episode: "Josh Has No Idea Where I Am!"
2016 Straight Outta Oz Brenda Television film
2017 Let It Shine Herself / Guest judge Auditions stage
2018 Nobody's Fool Kalli
2019–21 A Black Lady Sketch Show Various characters 4 episodes
2019 The Little Mermaid Live! Emcee Special
2020 Infamous Elle
2020 Whose Line is it Anyway? Herself
2021 Christmas Deja Vu Kandi Television film
2021 WICKED in Concert Performer
2022 Single Black Female Simone Television film
2022 The Masked Singer U.S. Herself / Harp Season 8 winner [29]
2023 The Masked Singer UK Herself / Jellyfish Season 4
TBD Dream TBD Lead role; Upcoming NBC series[30]

Stage
Year Title Role Location
2012 Cotton Club Parade Performer New York City Center, Off-Broadway
2014 Hair Dionne Hollywood Bowl
2016–17 Dreamgirls Effie White Savoy Theatre, West End
2019 Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II Pasadena Playhouse

Discography
See also: Glee discography and Leading Ladies (group) § Discography

Extended plays
Title Details
RILEY[31]
  • Released: October 2, 2020
  • Labels: Self-released
  • Format: digital download

Singles
Title Year Album
"Colorblind" 2014 Glee: the Music, Bash
"Someone You Loved" 2020 Non-album Single
"A Moment" RILEY
"BGE"
"Creepin"

Guest appearances
Year Song Album
2013 "Never Be Lonely"
(with Eric Bellinger)		 In The Meantime
2014 "Gold Generation"
(with Eric Zayne)		 Autobiograme
"This Is What It Feels Like"
(with Kenyon Dixon)		 Twenty Four
2016 "Lions and Tigers and Bears" Straight Outta Oz
"See Your Face"
"#ChangeRightNow" I Am Major
2017 "Anybody Who Knows What Love Is"
(with Boyz II Men)		 Under the Streetlight
2019 "I'm A Mess"
(with Kenyon Dixon)		 R&B Kenny
2023 "Waiting"
(with Omarion)		 Full Circle: Sonic Book One

Soundtrack appearances

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
2010 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Glee Won
Teen Choice Award Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer Nominated
Choice Music: Group Nominated
2011 Grammy Award Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals "Don't Stop Believin' (Regionals version)"[lower-alpha 1] Nominated
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Glee (TV series)|Glee Nominated
Teen Choice Award Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer Nominated
2012 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2013 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2017 Laurence Olivier Award Best Actress in a Musical Dreamgirls Won
Evening Standard Theatre Award Best Musical Performance Won
WhatsOnStage Award Best Actress in a Musical Won
2018 Classic Brit Award Album of the Year Songs from the Stage Nominated
  1. Shared with Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling and Naya Rivera

References
  1. Amber Riley verified Twitter account. Retrieved on June 4, 2020. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. "Amber Patrice Riley"
  2. Snetiker, Marc (February 4, 2016). "Amber Riley to play Effie in West End Dreamgirls". Entertainment Weekly.
  3. "'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' Wins a Record Nine Olivier Awards (Full List)". Variety. April 9, 2017.
  4. "'DWTS' Determines Winner of Season 17!". Entertainment Tonight. November 26, 2013. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  5. Ingrassia, Lisa (May 17, 2010). "Glee's Amber Riley: "I Love My Body"". People. Vol. 73, no. 19. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2011. ...growing up in La Mirada, Calif. ... But like her older sisters Toiya, 34, and Ashley, 26... [In sidebar] Age: 24.
  6. "Glee Star Amber Riley On Idol Rejection: "I Still Work On Fox And Get Paid"". Access Hollywood. September 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  7. "Dish Of Salt: Glee Premiere Party, LA (September 8, 2009)". Access Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  8. "Glee Exclusive: 4 Original Cast Members Not Returning as Series Regulars for Season 5". TVLine. June 28, 2013.
  9. Wetzel, Jerome (October 26, 2010). "TV Review: Glee – "The Rocky Horror Glee Show"". Blogcritics. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  10. "'Glee,' Season 2, Episode 5, 'Rocky Horror Glee Show': TV Recap". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 29, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2010.
  11. "GLEEks! Kevin McHale & Amber Riley Are Guest Hosting AT40 This Weekend!". AT40. August 10, 2011. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  12. "ASCAP Search Result for 'The Saturdays'". ASCAP. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  13. "Glee's Amber Riley Premieres 'Colorblind'". QueenLatifah.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  14. "'Glee's' Amber Riley to Star in Christmas TV Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. June 22, 2015. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  15. Roots, Kimberly (August 6, 2015). "Glee's Amber Riley, OITNB's Uzo Aduba Join NBC's The Wiz Live". TVLine. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  16. Snetiker, Marc (February 4, 2016). "Amber Riley to play Effie in West End Dreamgirls". Entertainment Weekly.
  17. "Todrick Hall Is Straight Outta Oz In This Emotional, Star-Studded Visual Album Featuring Nicole Scherzinger, Perez Hilton, & More! Watch!". PerezHilton.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  18. "Leading Ladies: starring Beverley Knight, Cassidy Janson and Amber Rile". londontheatre1.com. London Theatre. November 8, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  19. "Little Shop of Horrors". pasadenaplayhouse.org. Pasadena Playhouse. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  20. Derschowitz, Jessica (September 4, 2013). "'Dancing with the Stars': Leah Remini, Valerie Harper, Snooki among new cast". CBS News. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  21. "'Dancing with the Stars' Winners: Where Are They Now?". May 17, 2022. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  22. @MsAmberPRiley (February 28, 2020). "Prepare yourselves. She's comin" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. @MsAmberPRiley (September 2, 2020). "RILEY is always spelled in ALL CAPS" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. @MsAmberPRiley (September 2, 2020). "Available on all streaming platforms, this Friday, 9/4. "A Moment" #RILEY" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. @MsAmberPRiley (September 18, 2020). "Hey y'all! It's finally here! I got that #BIGGIRLENERGY. Check out the premiere of the new visual for #BGEmovement" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. @MsAmberPRiley (October 8, 2020). "Official Creepin' Video is OUT NOW!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. "And the winner of 'The Masked Singer' Season 8 is…". Yahoo!. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  28. "Amer Riley To Release New R&B Album Later This Year". Vibe.com. February 28, 2023. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  29. "Harp Talks 'Masked Singer' Season 8 Win: 'I Was as Surprised as Anyone When I Made It Through Every Round'". Billboard. November 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  30. "Amber Riley to Star in 'Dream' Musical Comedy in Works at NBC from Lisa Muse Bryant & Neil Meron". November 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  31. "Riley - EP by RILEY on Apple Music". Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
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