Sierra McClain

Early life

Sierra was born in Decatur, GA, the eldest daughter of father Michael and mother Shontell McClain. Michael is a music producer who produced Solange Knowles' debut album Solo Star (2002). Shontell (née Rucker) is a songwriter and former television screenwriter.

Sierra has two younger sisters, actress/singers Lauryn (born January 9, 1997) and China Anne (born August 25, 1998),

Career

Acting

2005–2010: ''Daddy's Little Girls''

After Sierra's sister China 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.

In December 2005, while on the set of Tyler Perry's House of Payne, China introduced Sierra and Lauryn to a show producer and they 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.

Sierra 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.

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

In September 2015, McClain was cast in a Showtime pilot by Lena Waithe, but it was not picked up. In 2016, McClain was cast and began starring as Nessa Parker, a recurring role, in the television series Empire (2016–2018). For the series, she sang several songs for the series' soundtrack, and her role as Nessa is considered her breakthrough role.

Sierra went on to star as Tosha in the dance film Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018). She gained further recognition for other lead roles, starring as Tanya Clifton in the second season of the critically-acclaimed television series Mindhunter (2019), and as Grace Ryder in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–2023).

Music

2005–2010: 3mcclaingirls

Around 2005, Sierra, China and Lauren formed the music group, 3mcclaingirls. In 2008, the sisters began posting videos of themselves performing cover songs on their YouTube channel.

2011–2014: McClain Sisters and ''A.N.T. Farm''

Main article: McClain Sisters

After China landed her own show on the Disney Channel called A.N.T. Farm in 2011, the sisters changed their group name to "McClain Sisters", and sang two songs on the A.N.T. Farm soundtrack: "Perfect Mistake" and "Electronic Apology". Sierra was also a theme-music composer for the series.

In December, the group performed their version of the song "Jingle Bell Rock" at the 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.

In March 2012, the group signed with Hollywood Records, 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. In April, they performed at the 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll. Most notably they released "The Great Divide", which peaked at number four on Billboard's US Kid Digital Songs.

In November 2012, Sierra guest-starred with sister Lauryn and performed the song "Go" during the episode "chANTs of a Lifetime" for A.N.T. Farm.

In December 2013, China announced on Twitter that A.N.T. Farm would be ending after its third season. Shortly afterward, McClain Sisters parted ways with Hollywood Records, and again changed the group's name, from "McClain Sisters" to simply "McClain".

2014-2020: McClain

The group McClain continued performing, releasing songs and making appearances. They performed at the pre-show for the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards and presented an award, had their first headlining concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California, and performed at the 19th Arthur Ashe Kids' Day. From the summer to the fall of 2014, the group embarked on a state fair tour around the United States.

Around 2016, the group McClain went on hiatus after all three sisters booked various acting roles.

2020-present: Thriii

Main article: Thriii

In June 2020, the group McClain changed their name to "Thriii" and performed at Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist.

Personal life

When she was young, Sierra resided with her family near Atlanta, Georgia, but they later moved to Los Angeles for China's acting career.

Sierra is a Christian, but says she considers herself more spiritual than religious. She wants to have a lot of children, in part because she considers her siblings as her best friends, and wants her own kids to experience the same.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

References

1. (2024-07-21). "All About China Anne McClain's Sisters, Lauryn and Sierra McClain".
2. (2018-03-16). "It's my birthday, y'all! I'm 24 today...".
3. "Michael McClain {{!}} Credits".
4. "China Anne McClain Bio". kidzworld.com.
5. "Shontell McClain {{!}} Credits".
6. Legg, Catherine. (December 12, 2011). "Disney Channel star visits MES".
7. (September 13, 2012). "China Anne McClain: 'Farm star, musical prodigy spreads wings".
8. "Meet the Browns - Season 1 Episode 5".
9. Barnes, Brooks. (May 10, 2011). "Tween Stars Wanted: Must Be Primed for Pressure". The New York Times.
10. "Disney Channel Bio – China Anne McClain". Disney Channel Medianet.
11. (March 22, 2012). "McClain notes on Lionsgate". lionsgatepublicity.com.
12. Murray, Cori. (June 30, 2017). "Growing Up Nicely: The McClains Sisters On Being A Showbiz Family".
13. Holden, Stephen. (July 23, 2009). "Physician, Drug Thyself: Psychiatrist in Hollywood". The New York Times.
14. Andreeva, Nellie. (September 10, 2015). "Showtime's Lena Waithe Pilot Casts Sextet Of Actors, Adds Elwood Reid As EP".
15. Stanhope, Kate. (July 13, 2016). "'Empire' Taps Actress and Singer Sierra McClain for Recurring Role (Exclusive)".
16. "Honey: Rise Up and Dance".
17. Paige, Rachel. (August 16, 2019). "Meet The "Mindhunter" Season 2 Cast".
18. Thorne, Will. (September 20, 2019). "Ronen Rubinstein, Sierra McClain Join '9-1-1' Spinoff at Fox".
19. "3mcclaingirls".
20. "A.N.T. Farm - Music on Google Play".
21. "Sierra McClain - Music Credits".
22. "Christmas Parade 2011 McClain Sisters - Celebrity Take with Jake".
23. "OneRepublic and China Anne McClain and The McClain Sisters Perform for The 2011 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade {{!}} TigerBeat".
24. (June 14, 2011). "McClain Sisters Sign with Hollywood Records". Black Celeb Kids.
25. (March 13, 2012). ["McClain Sisters Now Signs with Hollywood Records"](http://www.clintonlindsay.com/2012/03/14/mcclain-sisters-now-signs-to-hollywood-records/#:~:text=March%2013,%202012%20(Miami,,Disney%20Channel%27s%20hit%20series%20%E2%80%9CA.N.T.).
26. Guerra, Joey. (March 5, 2012). "Big Time Rush show leaves little to like".
27. (January 9, 2012). "Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Officials Announce Star-studded Entertainer Lineup, Ticket Sales Information".
28. Slack, Megan. (April 9, 2012). "The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll".
29. Zhang, Joanna. (April 10, 2012). "Let's Go, Let's Play, Let's Move! The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll {{!}} Let's Move!".
30. (September 8, 2012). "January 26, 2013 - Kid Digital Songs". Billboard.
31. West, Abby. (November 19, 2012). "Watch the McClain Sisters unite on 'The A.N.T. Farm'".
32. Kimball, Trevor. (February 24, 2014). "A.N.T. Farm: Disney Series Finale Airs March 21st".
33. 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!".
34. (January 12, 2014). "McClain Interview".
35. (July 13, 2014). "McClain Interview - ClevverTV".
36. "mcclain".
37. (March 28, 2013). "Exclusive: McClain Makes Special Announcement".
38. (June 27, 2014). "McClain On Headlining At The House Of Blues!".
39. Hiser, Lisa. (June 30, 2014). "Exclusive: McClain Headline House of Blues Anaheim".
40. (Aug 2014). "2014 Arthur Ashe Kids' Day Talent".
41. Oskin, Allison. (September 10, 2014). "McClain Performs on FOX43".
42. Harnick, Chris. (June 30, 2020). "Katy Perry, BTS and More Join Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist".
43. "Biography of China". chinaanne.net.
44. (2016-12-22). "Sierra McClain Go-See Interview". Issue Magazine.