The Masked Singer US winner Amber Riley became a household name in 2009, when she starred in the hit Hollywood TV series Glee as Mercedes Jones.
From there it has been onwards and upwards for the star – making history with multiple reality TV wins and launching a successful musical theatre career.
She has appeared on both the US and UK version of The Masked Singer, having been unmasked on Saturday night’s show, after a stellar performance in the series.
However she has also encountered heartbreak too, including the deaths of two of her close co-stars from Glee.
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As Amber Riley turns 37 years old, Daily Star takes a look at the actress’ life.
Glee icon
(Image: FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Amber Riley rose to worldwide fame in 2009 for her portrayal of Mercedes Jones in smash hit series Glee.
She appeared on the programme for six years between 2009 to 2015, with her and the cast winning a Screen Actors Guild Award, along with receiving nominations for The Teen Choice Awards and Grammy Awards.
Mercedes became known for her outstanding voice during her time on the show, performing songs such as Respect, Try a Little Tenderness and I Will Always Love You.
(Image: Fox Broadcasting Company)
Speaking about her time on the programme, she told Entertainment Weekly: “It’s been a couple of years, and it’s been a really good run.
“Glee‘s been an amazing blessing in my life, and to so many other people…I’m sure everybody can attest to a story, or a character they love, or something that really touched their heart, so I was really blessed to be a part of that for so many years.”
From there it has been onwards and upwards for the star, appearing in films and TV series such as The Wiz Live! Nobody’s Fool, Infamous and Wicked in Concert.
Amber has also led a successful musical theatre career, starring in productions such as The Little Shop Of Horrors, Dreamgirls and Hair.
She is also listed as appearing in an upcoming NBC series called Dream.
Tragic losses
(Image: FOX)
Following the end of Glee, two of its stars tragically died – Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera.
Cory died on July 13, 2013 following a drug overdose, while Naya died on July 13, 2020 due to an accidental drowning in Lake Piru near Los Angeles.
Amber opened up in an emotional Instagram post about how she honours and remembers her co-stars each day, explaining: “I say your name everyday and hold you in my heart, just like I do Cory.”
(Image: Getty Images North America)
Sharing throwback snaps of her and Naya together, she paid tribute to the late star as she continued: “We are working as a cast and crew and a family to come together and show love, and it’s all because of you.
“Your presence brought so much excitement, so much passion, so much joy, and in your absence you’re STILL holding us accountable and getting us together.”
“I’ve cried until my tear ducts have dried out, now it’s time to celebrate the fact that us mere humans got to experience walking through life with an earth angel.
“Rest well. I pray you found the peace we all are searching for.”
American Idol stint
(Image: Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
With such a stellar singing voice, Amber has since launched a successful pop career since her Glee days – but did you know it is not her first foray into music?
Amber revealed to Access Online that she auditioned for American Idol at the age of 17 years old, but was sadly turned down by the producers for its second season.
However that hasn’t stopped her, with Amber going on to release her debut EP RILEY in 2020, featuring the singles A Moment, BGE and Creeping.
Riley has also collaborated with acclaimed singers Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson to form the supergroup, Leading Ladies, who released an album of musical theatre cover songs in 2017.
The Masked Singer
(Image: Fox)
Amber has taken part in a number of reality TV series – and made history in the process.
She starred in the seventeenth series of Dancing With The Stars in 2013, alongside professional partner Derek Hough, where the pair received five perfect scores of 30 during their appearances on the series.
It is no surprise then that they duo went on to win the competition overall.
Following her Dancing On Ice win, she also made history by winning The Masked Singer in 2022 – becoming the only celebrity to have won two reality TV competitions in the US.
(Image: ABC)
She became the eighth celebrity to win the US version of The Masked Singer, after she was revealed to be the character Harp.
After winning with her cover of Lady Gaga’s Edge Of Glory, she could be heard saying: “This has been such an amazing experience.”
She continued: “Just to be able to come out here and be completely covered and let my talent speak for itself. And the love that I have for people, and wanting people to heal, and feel what it is that I’m singing.
“So I hope everybody felt my soul, because I bared it right here on this stage.”
She then opted to take part in the show once again and joined the UK version, but was unmasked in the semi finals.
Heartbreaking split
(Image: Variety via Getty Images)
Amber got engaged to Desean Black in 2019, with Daily Mail reporting that the couple first met with she slid into Desean’s DMs.
Taking part in the ‘how it started, how it’s going’ challenge, the singer shared a screengrab of their first conversation on Instagram, which saw Amber ask Desean how he was doing.
He then responded: “Hey beautiful I’m doing great and you?”
Speaking about their engagement, People Magazine reporting that the star said in a now deleted Instagram post: “I am so proud to say, I am the future Mrs. Black,” she continued. “I love you @deseanblack_official and I thank you for your patience, your friendship, and your partnership!
“What God has joined together, let no man separate. #HappilyEngaged #Engaged #BlackLove.”
However, the couple split three years later in 2022.
Amber opened up about her engagement split during an episode of The Nice and Neat podcast in March 2022, where she was discussing the film project Single Black Female.
“I am a single Black female. I am. I’m a single Black female but I’m not a crazy one like in the movie,” said Amber.
The actress also described her split with Desean as “amicable,” adding: “I wish him the best. I don’t have anything horrible or bad to say.”
A representative for Amber also told E! News: “They ask for privacy during this time.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
