instagram | INSTAGRAM | JUL 31

Serayah McNeill (@serayah) always knew she wanted to sing and be on TV — and she’s been doing both for over a year now in her role as performer Tiana Brown on Fox’s “Empire.” Tonight, she’ll be taking those goals one step further as she performs live at the #TeenChoice awards. “My favorite thing about performing is being able to impact people, and get them as live as we are onstage, and have them as excited as me and the dancers are,” the 21-year-old from Oceanside, California, says. This year, Serayah will be releasing music, going on tour and filming her first movie. Her accomplishments are huge, but she doesn’t feel that different from anyone else: “I want my followers to know that I am just like them and that we all believe and breathe the same. But, most importantly, I want them to know that they are important and to follow their dreams.” Photo by @serayah