| Amber Riley | |
|---|---|
Riley at the San Diego Comic-Con International, July 2010 |
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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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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. Riley appeared at the 2010 MTV VMAs on September 12, 2010.[4]
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. Her vocal range is light lyric soprano.[5]
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]
| 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 |