{{short description|American actress, singer and songwriter (born 1995)|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Ryan Destiny | image = Ryan Destiny at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg | caption = Destiny at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival | birth_name = Ryan Destiny | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|1|8}} | birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = {{Flatlist| * Actress * singer-songwriter * dancer * model }} | years_active = 2010–present | partner = | parents = Deron Irons <br /> Dawn Irons | relatives = | family = | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = | instrument = Vocals | years_active = 2007–present | associated_acts = ''Love Dollhouse'' }} }} '''Ryan Destiny''' (born January 8, 1995)<ref>{{cite tweet |first= Ryan |last= Destiny |author-link= Ryan Destiny |user=RyanDestiny |number=818145024697335809 |date= January 8, 2017|title= Ryan Destiny on Twitter: "23 years young"|link= https://twitter.com/RyanDestiny/status/818145024697335809 |access-date= January 18, 2017 }}</ref> is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. Destiny is best known for her roles in the Fox TV musical drama ''Star'', the Freeform sitcom ''Grown-ish,'' and as the two-time Olympic gold medal-winning boxer Claressa Shields in the Claressa Shields biopic, ''The Fire Inside'' (2024) directed by Rachel Morrison.
==Early life and education== Destiny was born in Detroit, Michigan.<ref name=Yak052611>{{cite journal|title=Never Say Never to Detroit Teen Singer|url=http://nieonline.com/yakscorner/20110526/4.pdf|first=Janis|last=Campbell|journal=Yak's Corner|publisher=The Detroit News|issue=775|date=May 26, 2011|page=4|access-date=January 21, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003249/http://nieonline.com/yakscorner/20110526/4.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her father is a member of the 1990s R&B group Guesss.<ref name=DollHouseBio>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/6161795/love-dollhouse/biography|title=Love Dollhouse|department=Biography|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/01/ryan-destiny-alexandra-crane-star-cast-boyfriend-bio-photos-age-spoilers/|title=Ryan Destiny as Alexandra Crane on 'Star': 5 Fast Facts|website=Heavy.com|first=Daniel S|last=Levine|date=January 4, 2017|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref><ref name=Detroit010217>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/television/2017/01/03/ryan-destiny-fox-tv-star-drama/96023724/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104153557/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/television/2017/01/03/ryan-destiny-fox-tv-star-drama/96023724/|title=Ryan Destiny: A 'Star' is born|date=January 2, 2017|first=Jim|last=McFarlin|work=The Detroit News|publisher=Digital First Media|archive-date=January 4, 2017|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> Destiny attended West Bloomfield High School. In January 2011, Destiny won a singing contest to attend the red carpet premiere of Justin Bieber's ''Never Say Never''.<ref name=Yak052611/><ref>{{cite journal|title=Destiny To Sing|url=http://nieonline.com/yakscorner/20110127/6.pdf|date=January 27, 2011|department=Kids Making News|journal=Yak's Corner|publisher=The Detroit News|issue=760|page=6|access-date=January 21, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003458/http://nieonline.com/yakscorner/20110127/6.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Career== ===Music=== In junior high school, 12-year-old Destiny formed a musical trio group called New Limit. Managed by her mother Dawn, the trio auditioned for ''America's Got Talent'' in 2010, and they made it to the finals until they decided it was not for them. By 2011, Destiny had signed with Universal Republic.<ref name=Yak052611/> The group would later split, with Destiny and her manager holding auditions forming a new group called Love Dollhouse. The trio signed to All Def/Capitol Records, a label partnership with Russell Simmons, Steve Rifkind, and Brian Robbins. The group released their debut single, "Can I" in 2014,<ref name=DollHouseBio/><ref name=Detroit010217/> but disbanded a year later in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/read/2015/06/exclusive-singer-ryan-destiny-talks-a-girl-like-grace/|title=Exclusive: Singer Ryan Destiny Talks 'A Girl Like Grace'|date=June 19, 2015|first=Wilson|last=Morales|website=Blackfilm.com|access-date=January 18, 2017|archive-date=January 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109101008/http://www.blackfilm.com/read/2015/06/exclusive-singer-ryan-destiny-talks-a-girl-like-grace/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2016 and [https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-ryan-destiny-star-20181121-story.html later again in 2018], Destiny announced plans for a solo debut EP titled "On One's Own."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theidleman.com/manual/web-roundup/ryan-destiny-chats-idle-man/|title=Ryan Destiny Chats to the Idle Man|author=Harriet|work=The Idle Man|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> She released its lead single "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGuMyWcKVhI The Same]" in 2018, with [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqGCsQOlcoE a remix featuring rapper Tobi Lou] the following year. Her second single [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxeTnj7MEfk "Do You]" was released in 2020. Her other songs include [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T1uOgmKXEI "How Many"] (2022), "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ufsqU93Xw Lie Like That]," (2023), a cover of Khamari's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZWsVSnsWBo 2021 song], "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNfpVp6z7yA Doctor, My Eyes" in 2024], and "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb1sF_QsbyI How Your Hands Feel]" (2024).
===Acting=== In 2010, Destiny appeared in an episode of the web series ''The Wannabes Starring Savvy''. In 2011, she traveled to Los Angeles with her mother to start auditioning for projects.<ref name=Yak052611/> In 2013, she appeared in several episodes of the Detroit-based crime drama, ''Low Winter Sun''.<ref name=Detroit010217/> Destiny later appeared as the lead in the independent film ''A Girl Like Grace'' opposite Garcelle Beauvais, Meagan Good, and Raven-Symoné. The Ty Hodges produced film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/a-girl-like-grace-clip-los-angeles-film-festival-meagan-good-1201435750/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705165018/http://deadline.com/2015/06/a-girl-like-grace-clip-los-angeles-film-festival-meagan-good-1201435750/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 5, 2015|title='A Girl Like Grace' LA Film Festival Clip: Grieving, Bullying & Consequences|date=June 1, 2015|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref>
Destiny initially booked the role of Tiana on Lee Daniels's hit musical drama ''Empire'' but due to her contract with All Def Music, she could not accept the role.<ref name=Detroit010217/> In December 2015, Destiny booked one of the lead roles as Alexandra "Alex" Crane in Daniels' series ''Star'' – opposite Queen Latifah.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/queen-latifah-lee-daniels-fox-music-pilot-girlband-star-1201656013/|title=Queen Latifah Lands Lead Role in Lee Daniels' Fox Music Pilot|date=December 7, 2015|first=Elizabeth |last=Wagmeister|work=Variety|access-date=January 19, 2017}}</ref> The series premiered on Fox on December 14, 2016, and was canceled after 3 seasons in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/star-premiere-fox-cast-jude-demorest-ryan-destiny-brittany-ogrady-1201942351/|title='Star's' Newcomers Reveal Audition Stories, What It's Like Working With Lee Daniels|date=December 14, 2016|first=Joshua|last=Alston|work=Variety|access-date=January 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Star' Canceled After Three Seasons at Fox|url= https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/star-canceled-fox-1203188063/ |work=Variety|date=May 10, 2019}}</ref>
In November 2019, it was announced that Destiny was cast to play Claressa Shields in ''Flint Strong'', a sports biopic written by Barry Jenkins and directed by Rachel Morrison. Originally, it was in development at Universal Pictures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rachel Morrison's Directional Debut 'Flint Strong' Casts Ryan Destiny as Claressa Shields|url= https://variety.com/2019/film/news/rachel-morrison-flint-strong-ryan-destiny-claressa-shields-1203403694/ |work=Variety|date=November 13, 2019}}</ref> However, the film was put in a turnaround in October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Masters|first1=Kim|last2=Kit|first2=Borys|date=2021-10-29|title=Ice Cube Exits Sony Comedy 'Oh Hell No' After Declining COVID-19 Vaccine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ice-cube-exits-sony-comedy-oh-hell-no-after-declining-covid-19-vaccine-1235038369/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-26|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125224742/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ice-cube-exits-sony-comedy-oh-hell-no-after-declining-covid-19-vaccine-1235038369/}}</ref> It was then picked up by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in May 2022<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Brian Tyree Henry Boards ''Flint Strong'' As Boxing Drama Finds New Studio Home, Restarts Shooting (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/brian-tyree-henry-flint-strong-1235154074/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=25 May 2022 |date=May 25, 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525190655/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/brian-tyree-henry-flint-strong-1235154074/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and later renamed ''The Fire Inside''.
Destiny also had a recurring role on season 3 of ''Grown-ish'' as Jillian, a transfer student from Spelman College.<ref>{{cite web|title=TVLine Items: Star Vet to grown-ish, S.W.A.T. Adds Series Regular and More|url=https://tvline.com/2019/07/08/grownish-ryan-destiny-cast-season-3-freeform/|work=TVLine|date=July 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title= Watch an exclusive clip of Ryan Destiny joining grown-ish season 3|url=https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/30/ryan-destiny-grown-ish-season-3-clip/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 30, 2020}}</ref>
==Influences== Destiny cites entertainers Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Prince and Aaliyah as her primary influences.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anassi |first1=Pennie |title=#LiveCivilInterview: Ryan Destiny Talks STAR, Colorism, Gabrielle Union, & The Secret To Her Glowing Skin |url=http://livingcivil.com/livecivilinterview-ryan-destiny-talks-star-colorism-gabrielle-union-secret-glowing-skin/ |website=Live Civil |date=December 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="destiny">{{cite web |title=Ryan Destiny, Brittany O'Grady & Quincy Talk 'Star' Season 2 |url=https://theknockturnal.com/ryan-destiny-brittany-ogrady-quincy-talk-star-season-2/ |website=theknockturnal.com|date=November 19, 2017 }}</ref> Destiny has also expressed admiration for singers such as Lauryn Hill, Brandy, India Arie, and Beyoncé.<ref name="destiny"/>
==Personal life== Ryan Destiny was in a relationship with actor Keith Powers from 2017 until their split in 2022. They remained close friends, and in December 2024, during an interview with ''The Breakfast Club'' radio show while promoting ''The Fire Inside'', Destiny confirmed that the [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakfastclubam/video/7447905221910498591 <nowiki>breakup was "just a [little] bump in the road</nowiki>]," and the two have since gotten back together.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wetheurban.com/ryan-keith-cover|title=We The Urban|date=July 2019|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121023339/https://www.wetheurban.com/ryan-keith-cover|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/keith-powers-ryan-destiny-break-up-after-four-years/ |title=Keith Powers and Ryan Destiny Split After 4 Years: They're 'Remaining Close Friends,' Says Source|date=January 18, 2022|access-date=January 18, 2022}}</ref> The couple are now currently engaged since October 5th, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DPbyV8OESup/?igsh=ZWFsOXl2cTZzeGRw |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
==Filmography==
===Film=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2015 | ''A Girl Like Grace'' | Grace | Lead role |- | 2023 | ''Oracle'' | Shay | Lead role |- | 2024 | ''The Fire Inside'' | Claressa Shields | Lead role |- |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2010 | ''The Wannabes-Starring Savvy'' | Customer | |- | 2013 | ''Low Winter Sun'' | April Geddes | Recurring role (6 episodes) |- | 2016–2019 | ''Star'' | Alexandra Crane | Lead role |- | 2020–2021 | ''Grown-ish'' | Jillian | Recurring role |- | 2021 | ''The Lower Bottoms'' | Rebecca Cooper | Main role |}
===Music videos=== * Big Sean – "Paradise" (2014) * Big Sean – "Single Again" (2019) * Halsey — "Nightmare" (2019) * Justin Bieber ft. Chance the Rapper – "Holy" (2020) * Doja Cat – "Need to Know" (2021)
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result |- | 2017 | rowspan="3" | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Breakout TV Star | rowspan="3" | Herself | {{Nominated}} |- | 2018 | rowspan="2" | Choice Drama TV Actress | {{Nominated}} |- | 2019 | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="4" |2024 |Denver International Film Festival |Rising Star Award | rowspan="8" |''The Fire Inside'' |{{won}} |- |Gotham Awards |Breakthrough Performer |{{nominated}} |- |Celebration of Cinema and Television |Rising Star Award – Film |{{won}} |- |[https://www.michiganmoviecritics.com/ Michigan Movie Critics Guild] |MMC Award for Film Excellence |{{won}} |- | rowspan="4" |2025 |Indie Spirit Awards |Best Lead Performance |{{nom}} |- | rowspan="2" |Black Reel Awards |Outstanding Lead Performance |{{nom}} |- |Outstanding Breakthrough Performance |{{nom}} |- |NAACP Image Awards |Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture |{{nom}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=3629113}} * {{Instagram|ryandestiny}} {{Portal|Biography|Michigan|Television}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Destiny, Ryan}} Category:1995 births Category:Actresses from Detroit Category:American people of Irish descent Category:21st-century African-American women singers Category:American television actresses Category:African-American actresses Category:Living people Category:Capitol Records artists Category:West Bloomfield High School alumni