Though she was once cast in a TV pilot that was never picked up, most of Amber Riley's acting experience has been in theater, making "Glee" her first big foray onto network television. When she was 17, the singer and actress made an attempt to become part of another FOX show -- "American Idol," but didn't make the cut. In "Glee," she plays Mercedes, a diva-in-training who becomes a powerful force in the troupe. Looks like Riley is getting her ... more 

Though she was once cast in a TV pilot that was never picked up, most of Amber Riley's acting experience has been in theater, making "Glee" her first big foray onto network television. When she was 17, the singer and actress made an attempt to become part of another FOX show -- "American Idol," but didn't make the cut. In "Glee," she plays Mercedes, a diva-in-training who becomes a powerful force in the troupe. Looks like Riley is getting her chance to sing in front of millions of FOX viewers after all. less