{"id":1776,"date":"2025-07-05T11:37:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T11:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/?p=1776"},"modified":"2025-07-05T11:42:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T11:42:50","slug":"amber-riley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/amber-riley\/","title":{"rendered":"Amber Riley Profile, Biography, Lists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Early Life<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"201\" height=\"251\" src=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Amber-Riley.png\" alt=\"Amber Riley\" class=\"wp-image-1777\" srcset=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Amber-Riley.png 201w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Amber-Riley-150x187.png 150w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Amber-Riley-50x62.png 50w, https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Amber-Riley-100x125.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><br>Amber Riley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lists:<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/list-135-most-stylish-big-beautiful-women-in-the-world\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/votters.com\/list-135-most-stylish-big-beautiful-women-in-the-world\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Most Stylish Big Beautiful Women<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Full Name:<\/strong> Amber Patrice Riley<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Born:<\/strong> February 15, 1986 (age 39), Compton, California <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One of three sisters; attended <a href=\"https:\/\/lamirada.nlmusd.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/lamirada.nlmusd.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">La Mirada High School<\/a>, graduating in 2004<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early aspiration: auditioned for <em><a href=\"https:\/\/abc.com\/show\/baf4f444-36a4-4340-ac11-c570f0da4977\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/abc.com\/show\/baf4f444-36a4-4340-ac11-c570f0da4977\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Idol<\/a><\/em> Season\u202f2 at 17, but was not selected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breakthrough: <em>Glee<\/em> &amp; Ensuing Fame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cast as <strong>Mercedes Jones<\/strong> on Fox\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1327801\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1327801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Glee<\/em> (2009\u20132015)<\/a>, appearing in 93 episodes <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Received three <a href=\"https:\/\/naacpimageawards.net\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/naacpimageawards.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NAACP Image Award nominations<\/a>; shared a Screen Actors Guild Award with the ensemble.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Performed iconic solos such as \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zvsFbSdIyvM\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zvsFbSdIyvM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Respect<\/a>,\u201d Whitney Houston tributes, and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflecting in 2024, Riley praised <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1327801\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1327801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Glee<\/em><\/a><\/em> for its familial bonds and artistic training: \u201cIt was like theater training but times a million.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reality TV Triumphs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/abc.com\/show\/f66d60e7-29f2-49cf-85dd-44a11bce42e4\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/abc.com\/show\/f66d60e7-29f2-49cf-85dd-44a11bce42e4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dancing with the Stars<\/a><\/strong> (Season\u202f17, 2013): Partnered with Derek Hough, earned five perfect 30s, won\u2014becoming the first Black woman champion. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fox.com\/the-masked-singer\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.fox.com\/the-masked-singer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Masked Singer<\/strong> USA (2022)<\/a>: Performed as \u201cHarp\u201d and won the season <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Also competed in the UK version (2023), finishing in fourth place<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage &amp; Music Career<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Originated <strong>Effie White<\/strong> in the London revival of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0443489\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0443489\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Dreamgirls<\/em> (2016\u20132017)<\/a>; won the 2017 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Member of the musical theatre supergroup <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/tvandshowbiz\/5045635\/leading-ladies-beverley-knight-amber-riley-cassidy-janson\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/tvandshowbiz\/5045635\/leading-ladies-beverley-knight-amber-riley-cassidy-janson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Leading Ladies<\/a><\/strong> with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm1109734\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/name\/nm1109734\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beverley Knight<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cassidyjanson.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.cassidyjanson.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cassidy Janson<\/a>; released <em>Songs from the Stage<\/em> (2017).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Released debut EP <strong><em>RILEY<\/em><\/strong> in October 2020, featuring singles \u201cA Moment\u201d and \u201cBGE\u201d; announced plans for a full album in 2023.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Film &amp; TV Roles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Screen credits include: <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt4718770\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt4718770\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Wiz Live!<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt4094300\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt4094300\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Crazy Ex-Girlfriend<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt9698520\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt9698520\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Black Lady Sketch Show<\/a><\/em>, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt7703924\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt7703924\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Infamous<\/a><\/em>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt15726046\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt15726046\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Single Black Female<\/em> (2022)<\/a> and its upcoming sequel <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt30970553\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt30970553\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Single Black Female 2: Simone&#8217;s Revenge<\/a><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Amber_Riley?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Voice roles: Emcee in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt6897772\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt6897772\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Little Mermaid Live!<\/em> (2019)<\/a>, Addie in <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt4823776\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt4823776\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On the Run<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advocacy &amp; Personal life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open about mental health and the strains of early fame; credits therapy for her well-being<a href=\"https:\/\/decider.com\/2024\/02\/29\/glee-amber-riley-today-trauma-bonding-cast-on-set\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After building strong bonds with her <em>Glee<\/em> cast, she described their connection as \u201ctrauma bonding\u201d due to intense public attention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Formerly engaged to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/deseanblack_official\/?hl=en\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/deseanblack_official\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DeSean Black<\/a> (2020\u20132022); the split was described as \u201camicable\u201d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.essence.com\/celebrity\/black-celeb-couples\/amber-riley-engagement\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An outspoken voice on issues of race in entertainment, supporting castmates and sharing experiences on set.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accolades<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Olivier Award, Best Actress in a Musical (2017) for <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0443489\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0443489\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dreamgirls<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SAG Award, Ensemble in a Comedy Series (<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1327801\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt1327801\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glee<\/a><\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Winner: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0463398\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0463398\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Dancing with the Stars<\/em> (2013)<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt7670568\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt7670568\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The Masked Singer<\/em> USA (2022)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/naacpimageawards.net\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/naacpimageawards.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NAACP Image Award<\/a> and T<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Teen_Choice_Awards\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Teen_Choice_Awards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">een Choice Award nominations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s Next?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set to star and executive produce <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/news\/ni64420965\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/news\/ni64420965\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Single Black Female 2: Simone\u2019s Revenge<\/a><\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continuing to expand her music career with a forthcoming debut album<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintains influence across film, television, stage, and music\u2014transitioning from <em>Glee<\/em> stardom into multifaceted artistry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amber Riley\u2019s journey reflects remarkable versatility\u2014from <em>Glee<\/em> to reality TV wins, ac\u00adclaimed stage roles, strong advocacy, and evolving artistry in music and screen. She\u2019s a powerful voice and creative force, with much more to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Early Life Lists:Most Stylish Big Beautiful Women Breakthrough: Glee &amp; Ensuing Fame Reality TV Triumphs Stage &amp; Music Career Film &amp; TV Roles Advocacy &amp; Personal life Accolades What&#8217;s Next? Amber Riley\u2019s journey reflects remarkable versatility\u2014from Glee to reality TV wins, ac\u00adclaimed stage roles, strong advocacy, and evolving artistry in music and screen. She\u2019s a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actors-actresses"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1776"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1778,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1776\/revisions\/1778"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/votters.com\/about\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}