Serayah Ranee McNeill (born in Encinitas, California, on June 20, 1995), known mononymously as Serayah, is an American actress, singer, and model. She first gained fame for her role as singer Tiana Brown on the Fox musical drama series Empire (2015–2020).
Early life and education
- Serayah’s earliest musical experiences came from singing in her church choir.
- She attended Taft High School
in Woodland Hills, California, where she was the team captain and point guard for the basketball team.
- Her interest in performance led her to participate in local theater productions.
- In 2012, before her acting breakthrough, she performed at the Radio Disney Christmas Show.
Acting career
- Empire (2015–2020): Her breakout role came as Tiana Brown, an ambitious and talented singer, in the popular Fox series Empire. Her performance led to her being promoted to a series regular in the show’s second season.
- Kingdom Business (2022–2023): Serayah starred as Rebecca “Rbel” Belle in the BET+ musical drama series.
- Other television and film roles: Her acting credits include roles in the television series True Story, BMF, and Wu-Tang: An American Saga. She has also appeared in films such as Burning Sands (2017) and several made-for-TV Christmas movies.
- Upcoming project: As of late 2025, she is scheduled to appear in the film Ruth & Boaz.
Music career
- Solo work: Serayah has released her own music, including singles like “Driving Me” and “Mr. Lover,” and the 2018 EP Addicted. She has continued to release music in recent years, including the 2024 EP Archives (Extended Version).
- Music videos: She has appeared in several high-profile music videos:
- Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” (2015): Serayah appeared as the character Dilemma.
- Chris Brown’s “Undecided” (2019): She played a lead role in the video.
- Soundtrack appearances: Her musical talents were also featured on the Empire soundtracks, including the songs “Keep It Movin'” and “Drip Drop”.
Awards and nominations
- NAACP Awards: Serayah was nominated for Outstanding New Artist in 2017. She also shared an NAACP Award win for Outstanding Drama Series as part of the Empire cast.
- Teen Choice Awards: In 2015, she was nominated for Choice TV: Chemistry for her role on Empire.
- National Film and Television Awards, USA: She received two nominations in 2019, one for Best Newcomer and another for Best Supporting Actress.
Relationship And Child
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- Relationship with Joey Bada Serayah began dating rapper and actor Joey Bada in 2023. The couple reportedly met in 2021 through mutual friends but reconnected romantically two years later. They became engaged in July 2025.
- Child: The couple announced in February 2025 that they were expecting their first child. They welcomed a son on June 19, 2025.
- Past relationship: Serayah was previously in a long-term relationship with actor and singer Jacob Latimore.
- Relationship with Joey Bada
Family background
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- Family: While details about her family members are limited, Serayah’s upbringing shaped her artistic path. Her early musical experiences came from singing in her church choir, which was a significant influence on her career.
- Career start: She has spoken about pursuing her entertainment career without family connections in the industry, which she described as a “delulu” dream that she spoke into existence.
Net worth
- Public estimates of celebrity net worth are often speculative and vary widely. There are no reliable, publicly confirmed figures for Serayah’s net worth.
- Her career earnings come from a diverse portfolio of work as an actress, singer, and model. Her roles on popular television series like Empire and Kingdom Business, as well as her music releases and appearances in high-profile music videos, all contribute to her overall income.
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