Amber Riley Biography

Amber Patrice Riley (born February 15, 1986) is an American actress, dancer and singer, best known for her role on the series Glee as Mercedes Jones.

Early life

Amber Riley was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Tiny (née Hightower) and Elwin Riley. Riley auditioned for American Idol when she was 17 years old, during the show's second season, but was turned down by the producers. She graduated from La Mirada High School in La Mirada, California in 2004.

Career

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", "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and, three days after Whitney Houston's death, a tribute version of "I Will Always Love You".

In Glee's second season, Riley's character Mercedes Jones volunteers to play the role of 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.

On September 12, 2010, Riley appeared at the 2010 MTV VMAs. She sang the national anthem on the opening day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Riley is also making a solo album.

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".

On June 28, 2013, it was reported that Riley will not be returning as series regular on Glee fifth season, but will instead be a recurring guest star.

On September 4, 2013 it was announced that Riley would be joining the cast of the seventeenth season on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, and will be partnered with the show's only four-time champion, Derek Hough.

Dancing with the Stars performances

Week #	Dance/song	Judges' score			Result
		Inaba	Goodman	Tonioli
1	Cha-cha-cha / "Wings" "? Little Mix	9	9	9	No elimination
2	Jive /				TBA

Philanthropy

In 2011, Riley acted as a campaign spokesperson for Do Something 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. Riley has also teamed up with State Farm's "Celebrate My Drive" campaign to advocate safe awareness for Beginner Drivers, and Encouragement for youth.

Discography

Glee Cast discography

• Glee: The Music, Volume 1 (2009)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 2 (2009)
• Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna (2010)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers (2010)
• Glee: The Music, Journey to Regionals (2010)
• Glee: The Music, The Rocky Horror Glee Show (2010)
• Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album (2010)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 4 (2010)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 5 (2011)
• Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers (2011)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 6 (2011)
• Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2011)
• Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2 (2011)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 7 (2011)
• Glee: The Music, The Graduation Album (2012)
• Glee: The Music Presents Glease (2012)
• Glee: The Music, Season 4, Volume 1 (2012)

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2002	St. Sass	Toby	Television pilot
2009"present	Glee	Mercedes Jones	Seasons 1"4: Series regular Seasons 5-present: Recurring guest star Won "? Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2010) Nominated "? NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2011) Nominated "? NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2012) Pending "? NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2013) Nominated "? Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer (2010) Nominated "? Teen Choice Award for Choice Music: Group (2010) Nominated "? Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Female Scene Stealer (2011)
2010	'	Aiesha	Episode: "Elementary School Musical"
2011	Glee: The 3D Concert Movie	Mercedes Jones	Movie
2012	Struck by Lightning	Unknown Character	Cameo
2012	VH1 Divas	Herself	Presenter
2013	Dancing With the Stars	Herself	Contestant Partnered with Derek Hough