Sierra McClain

Sierra Aylina McClain(born March 16, 1994) is an American actress and singer. As an actress, she was first recognized for her role as Sierra inDaddy's Little Girls(2007). She had her breakthrough as Nessa Parker inEmpire(2016–2018), and is also best known for starring as Tanya Clifton in the television seriesMindhunter(2019), and as Grace Ryder in9-1-1: Lone Star(2020–2023). Her film roles have included starring as Tosha in the filmHoney: Rise Up and Dance(2018), and as Carina inShrink(2009).
As a singer, she is best known as a member of her family pop/R&Bgroup,Thriii, with her sisters.
Sierra was born inDecatur, GA, the eldest daughter of father Michael and mother Shontell McClain. Michael is a music producer who producedSolange Knowles' debut albumSolo Star(2002).Shontell (née Rucker) is a songwriter and former television screenwriter.
Sierra has two younger sisters, actress/singers Lauryn (born January 9, 1997) andChina Anne(born August 25, 1998),and a younger brother, actor Gabriel (born April 17, 2001).
After Sierra's sister China was discovered in 2004 by a music executive who heard her sing, China was cast in the filmThe Gospel(2005), with Sierra cast in the children's choir.
In December 2005, while on the set ofTyler 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 filmDaddy'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 filmSix Blocks Wide(2008). The next year, she starred as Carina in the filmShrinkalongsideKevin SpaceyandKeke Palmer.
In September 2015, McClain was cast in aShowtimepilot byLena Waithe, but it was not picked up.In 2016, McClain was cast and began starring as Nessa Parker, a recurring role, in the television seriesEmpire(2016–2018).For the series, she sang several songs for the series' soundtrack, and her role as Nessa is considered herbreakthrough role.
Sierra went on to star as Tosha in the dance filmHoney: 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 seriesMindhunter(2019),and as Grace Ryder in9-1-1: Lone Star(2020–2023).
Around 2005, Sierra, China and Lauren formed the music group,3mcclaingirls. In 2008, the sisters began posting videos of themselves performingcover songson theirYouTubechannel.
After China landed her own show on theDisney ChannelcalledA.N.T. Farmin 2011, the sisters changed their group name to "McClain Sisters", and sang two songs on theA.N.T. Farmsoundtrack: "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 2011Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade.
In March 2012, the group signed withHollywood Records,released their song "Rise", and was the opening act inHoustonat theHouston RodeoforBig Time Rushon theirBetter with U Tour.In April, they performed at the 2012White House Easter Egg Roll.Most notably they released "The Great Divide", which peaked at number four onBillboard'sUSKid Digital Songs.
In November 2012, Sierra guest-starred with sister Lauryn and performed the song "Go" during the episode "chANTs of a Lifetime" forA.N.T. Farm.
In December 2013, China announced onTwitterthatA.N.T. Farmwould be ending after its third season.Shortly afterward, McClain Sisters parted ways withHollywood Records, and again changed the group's name, from "McClain Sisters" to simply "McClain".
The group McClain continued performing, releasing songs and making appearances. They performed at the pre-show for the2014 Radio Disney Music Awardsand presented an award,had their first headlining concert at theHouse of BluesinAnaheim, California,and performed at the19th 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.
In June 2020, the group McClain changed their name to "Thriii" and performed atRadio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist.
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 aChristian, 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.