Acting 2005–2010: ''Daddy's Little Girls'' After Sierra's sister China was discovered in 2004 by a music executive who heard her sing, China was cast in the film
The Gospel (2005), with Sierra cast in the children's choir. In December 2005, while on the set of ''
Tyler 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 film Daddy'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 film
Six Blocks Wide (2008). The next year, she starred as Carina in the film
Shrink alongside
Kevin Spacey and
Keke Palmer.
2015–present: Empire and 9-1-1: Lone Star In September 2015, McClain was cast in a
Showtime pilot by
Lena Waithe, but it was not picked up. In 2016, McClain was cast and began starring as Nessa Parker, a recurring role, in the television series
Empire (2016–2018). For the series, she sang several songs for the series' soundtrack, and her role as Nessa is considered her
breakthrough role. Sierra went on to star as Tosha in the dance film
Honey: 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 series
Mindhunter (2019), and as Grace Ryder in
9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–2023).
Music 2005–2010: 3mcclaingirls Around 2005, Sierra, China and Lauren formed the music group,
3mcclaingirls. In 2008, the sisters began posting videos of themselves performing
cover songs on their
YouTube channel.
2011–2014: McClain Sisters and A.N.T. Farm After China landed her own show on the
Disney Channel called
A.N.T. Farm in 2011, the sisters changed their group name to "McClain Sisters", and sang two songs on the
A.N.T. Farm soundtrack: "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 2011
Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. In March 2012, the group signed with
Hollywood Records, released their song "
Rise", and was the opening act in
Houston at the
Houston Rodeo for
Big Time Rush on their
Better with U Tour. In April, they performed at the 2012
White House Easter Egg Roll. Most notably they released "
The Great Divide", which peaked at number four on ''
Billboard's'' US
Kid Digital Songs. In November 2012, Sierra guest-starred with sister Lauryn and performed the song "
Go" during the episode "
chANTs of a Lifetime" for
A.N.T. Farm. In December 2013, China announced on
Twitter that
A.N.T. Farm would be ending after its third season. Shortly afterward, McClain Sisters parted ways with
Hollywood Records, and again changed the group's name, from "McClain Sisters" to simply "McClain".
2014-2020: McClain The group McClain continued performing, releasing songs and making appearances. They performed at the pre-show for the
2014 Radio Disney Music Awards and presented an award, had their first headlining concert at the
House of Blues in
Anaheim, California, and performed at the
19th 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.
2020-present: Thriii In June 2020, the group McClain changed their name to "
Thriii" and performed at
Radio Disney Presents ARDYs Summer Playlist. == Personal life ==