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Amber Riley BIO

Amber Riley is best known for her portrayal of Mercedes Jones on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee (2009–2015). For her performance on the series, she and the rest of the cast won a Screen Actors Guild Award, and have been nominated for three Teen Choice Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, and a Grammy Award.



In December 2015, she portrayed Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, in NBC's live performance of The Wiz.

In 2016, Riley originated the lead role of Effie White in the West End debut of Dreamgirls. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance in 2017 for her work.

Riley won season 17 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013. In 2017, Riley appeared as a judge on BBC One musical theatre talent show Let It Shine and formed a musical theatre supergroup with Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson, known collectively as Leading Ladies and signed to East West Records/Warner. Her debut album, Songs from the Stage, was released on November 17, 2017.

In 2022, Riley won season 8 of The Masked Singer.

Amber Riley Photos

Amber Riley STAGE CREDITS

Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors
[Regional (US)]
2019 Pasadena Playhouse Production, 2019
Audrey II
Dreamgirls Dreamgirls
[West End]
West End Premiere Production, 2016
Effie White
The Wiz Live! The Wiz Live!
[New York]
NBC Live Television Production, 2015
Addaperle

Amber Riley Movies

St. Sass
[ 2002 ] Toby
Glee: Director's Cut Pilot Episode
[ 2009 ] Mercedes Jones
One Christmas Wish
[ 2015 ] Jackie Turner
The Wiz Live!
[ 2015 ] Addapearle
Straight Outta Oz
[ 2016 ] Brenda
Nobody's Fool
[ 2018 ] Kalli
The Little Mermaid Live!
[ 2019 ] Daughters of Triton Emcee
Infamous
[ 2020 ] Elle
Christmas Déjà Vu
[ 2021 ]
Single Black Female
[ 2022 ] Simone
Step Into... The Movies
[ 2022 ]

Amber Riley TV Shows

The Simpsons
Amber Riley
Chelsea Lately
Mercedes Jones
Glee
[ 2009-2015 ] Mercedes Jones
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Dream Ghost #2
A Black Lady Sketch Show
[ 2019-2021 ] Lori, Fantasia, Britnaye

Amber Riley Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2017 - Best Actress in a Musical

Amber Riley, Dreamgirls

Amber Riley Videos

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Amber Riley News


Photos: Taye Diggs and Mykal-Michelle Harris of DISNEY JR'S ARIEL Attend Special Even Photo
Photos: Taye Diggs and Mykal-Michelle Harris of DISNEY JR'S ARIEL Attend Special Event Celebrating the Series Premiere

Disney Jr.’s Ariel stars Taye Diggs and Mykal-Michelle Harris attended the 'Disney Jr.’s Ariel Seaside Celebration” on June 28 to celebrate the new series. The celebration included Caribbean-inspired music and dance parties, interactive activities and a special debut appearance by Ariel. Take a look at the photos!
Listen: Hear Taye Diggs and Amber Riley on Soundtrack for Disney Junior's ARIEL Photo
Listen: Hear Taye Diggs and Amber Riley on Soundtrack for Disney Junior's ARIEL

Walt Disney Records has released the soundtrack from 'Disney Jr.'s Ariel,' the highly anticipated animated musical series inspired by the beloved story of 'The Little Mermaid. Performers on the soundtrack include Broadway albums such as Taye Diggs and Amber Riley. Listen to it now!
Video: Taye Diggs Talks Voicing King Triton in Disney Junior's ARIEL Photo
Video: Taye Diggs Talks Voicing King Triton in Disney Junior's ARIEL

Broadway performer Taye Diggs stopped by Good Morning America on Wednesday to discuss his role as the powerful King Triton in Disney Junior's new animated series Ariel, based on the 1989 classic The Little Mermaid. Watch the full interview!
Video: Go Behind The Scenes For The Set Construction of THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Allian Photo
Video: Go Behind The Scenes For The Set Construction of THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Alliance Theatre

Go inside the set construction process for The Preacher's Wife at Alliance Theatre in this all-new video.
Amber Riley and Micah McLaurin Reimagine 'MacArthur Park' To Kick Off Pride Month Photo
Amber Riley and Micah McLaurin Reimagine 'MacArthur Park' To Kick Off Pride Month

To kick off Pride month, actress and powerhouse vocalist Amber Riley has teamed up with virtuoso pianist and fast-rising pop artist Micah McLaurin to reimagine GRAMMY-winning songwriter Jimmy Webb’s hit single “MacArthur Park,” an enduring classic that has boasted several chart-topping and GRAMMY-winning renditions. Listen to the cover now!
Tituss Burgess Didn't Think He'd Be The One to Turn THE PREACHER'S WIFE Into A Musica Photo
Tituss Burgess Didn't Think He'd Be The One to Turn THE PREACHER'S WIFE Into A Musical

Tituss Burgess spoke to People about his new musical based on the film The Preacher's Wife, which is currently running at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.
Review: Alliance Theatre Present's The Hit World Premiere of THE PREACHER'S WIFE Photo
Review: Alliance Theatre Present's The Hit World Premiere of THE PREACHER'S WIFE

Every detail of design and it's execution is the epitome of Broadway bold and gold. The Alliance's fly space seems to have reached a new level and the lights pour like honey onto every soloist descending the into floor. From the heavenly choir lofts to the devilish boiler room, each characters' personalities flow effortlessly through the complicated beauty and ugly that it is to be human. There's a lot to take in and worth teasing out into another intermission and third act with Sunday dinner.
Review Roundup: Tituss Burgess' THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere Photo
Review Roundup: Tituss Burgess' THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere

The reviews are starting to roll in for The Alliance Theatre's world premiere musical, THE PREACHER’S WIFE, inspired by the 1996 film of the same name
Video: Go Inside Opening Night Of THE PREACHER'S WIFE in Atlanta Photo
Video: Go Inside Opening Night Of THE PREACHER'S WIFE in Atlanta

On Friday, May 24, 2024, THE PREACHER’S WIFE celebrated opening night at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.  Inspired by the beloved blockbuster film, this world premiere musical was celebrated by stars and audiences alike as it debuted on the Coca-Cola Stage.  Watch as the creative team walks the red carpet in this all-new video!
Broadway Streaming Guide: June 2024 - Where to Watch The TONY AWARDS & More Photo
Broadway Streaming Guide: June 2024 - Where to Watch The TONY AWARDS & More

This June, Broadway fans can (finally) complete their Bridgerton binge with the second volume of Season 3, see Jake Gyllenhaal in a new limited series, and watch a documentary from Jeremy O. Harris about his groundbreaking work Slave Play. And above all, the 77th Tony Awards are this month! Find out how you can watch that and much more in June!
Video: Watch Footage from THE PREACHER'S WIFE Starring Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, a Photo
Video: Watch Footage from THE PREACHER'S WIFE Starring Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and More

Watch Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and more in a new trailer for The Preacher's Wife, running at the Alliance Theatre through June 16th!
Photos: First Look at Amber Riley & More in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere Photo
Photos: First Look at Amber Riley & More in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere

Get a first look at photos of The Preacher's Wife at Alliance Theatre! Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and More Talk THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Alliance The Photo
Video: Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and More Talk THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Alliance Theatre

Watch Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and more discuss The Preacher's Wife, running at the Alliance Theatre through June 16th!
MESSY WHITE GAYS to be Presented 38th Powerhouse Theater Season at Vassar College Photo
MESSY WHITE GAYS to be Presented 38th Powerhouse Theater Season at Vassar College

Messy White Gays, a new play written by Drew Droege and directed by Mike Donahue, will receive a workshop and presentation as part of the 38th Powerhouse Theater Season at Vassar College. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 13, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 13, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 13, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: Amber Riley and Akron Lanier Watson Perform 'It Ain't That Serious' From THE P Photo
Video: Amber Riley and Akron Lanier Watson Perform 'It Ain't That Serious' From THE PREACHER'S WIFE

Get a first look at Amber Riley and Akron Lanier Watson performing the song 'It Ain't That Serious' from the new musical THE PREACHER'S WIFE during the sneak-peek, preview event 'Behind the Musical' that took place on April 17. Check out the video here!
Video: Watch Theme Song for Disney Jr. Series ARIEL Inspired by THE LITTLE MERMAID Photo
Video: Watch Theme Song for Disney Jr. Series ARIEL Inspired by THE LITTLE MERMAID

Disney Branded Television has released the main title theme song and announced the premiere date for the highly anticipated animated musical series “Disney Jr.’s Ariel.” Inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” the series will debut on THURSDAY, JUNE 27, on Disney Junior (9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT) and air on Disney Channel later that day, with an initial batch of eight episodes available on Disney+ the following day, FRIDAY, JUNE 28. Watch the theme song!
Video: Loretta Devine Sings 'That's What She Said' from THE PREACHER'S WIFE Photo
Video: Loretta Devine Sings 'That's What She Said' from THE PREACHER'S WIFE

Get a first listen to That's What She Said' from the new musical The Preacher's Wife performed by Loretta Devine in an all-new video from Alliance Theatre. Inspired by the 1996 film, The Preacher's Wife is a celebration of community, family, and the power of faith.
Video: Amber Riley and Taye Diggs Lend Voices to Disney Junior's ARIEL Photo
Video: Amber Riley and Taye Diggs Lend Voices to Disney Junior's ARIEL

Watch the teaser for Disney Junior's Ariel starring Amber Riley, Taye Diggs and more.
Photos: Katy Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kylie Minogue & More Attend Billboard Event Photo
Photos: Katy Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kylie Minogue & More Attend Billboard Event

Hosted by Award-winning actor and producer Tracee Ellis Ross at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park, the star-studded evening featured electric performances and inspiring speeches from some of the top women dominating the music industry, including Charli XCX, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Tinashe, and more. Check out the photos!
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Amber Riley FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Amber Riley been in?

Amber Riley has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Amber Riley been in?

Amber Riley has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Amber Riley's first West End show?

Amber Riley's first West End show was Dreamgirls which opened in 2016

What awards has Amber Riley been nominated for?

Amber Riley has been nominated for Best Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for her role in Dreamgirls.

What awards has Amber Riley won?

Amber Riley won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Dreamgirls.

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