Introduction
MacKenzie Lea Porter (born January 29, 1990 in Medicine Hat, Alberta) is a Canadian actress and musician.
Life and career
Early life
MacKenzie Porter was raised on a cattle and bison ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta. She began studying piano, violin and voice at age four. Growing up, she toured in a family band with her brother, 2004 Canadian Idol winner Kalan Porter.
Film career
Porter has appeared in numerous films and television productions, including the TV series Dinosapien in 2007. She earned a Best Actress in Alberta award for her role in the TV movie The Other Woman. She was also named as one of the Top 11 Hottest Vancouver Actors to Watch for 2011 by BC Living magazine.
Music career
After moving to Vancouver to pursue acting, Porter teamed up with musician and actor Andrew Jenkins to form the band The Black Boots. In 2010, she launched a solo career. Porter was the winner of the 2011 Nashville North Star competition. She has opened for Kenny Chesney, Doc Walker and Trooper, among others, and has performed for Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gene Simmons.
In October 2012, Porter released her debut single, "I Wish I'd Known". Her second single, "Never Gonna Let You", was co-written and produced by Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Porter was chosen as one of six acts for the inaugural Canadian Country Music Association Discovery Program in 2013. She is also nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Her debut album will be released in 2014.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Dinosapien | Courtney | 11 episodes |
| 2007 | Christmas in Wonderland | Shane | |
| 2008 | The Other Woman | Lauren | TV movie |
| 2008 | 45 R.P.M. | Debbie Baxter | |
| 2009 | Wild Roses | Viki | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Supernatural | Kim | Episode: "Clap Your Hands If You Believe" |
| 2010 | Ice Quake | Girl | TV movie |
| 2011 | Endgame | Kim Sharland | Episode: "The Other Side of Summer" |
| 2011 | R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour | Alexa | Episode: "Pool Shark" |
| 2011 | Finding a Family | Jen Bante | TV movie |
| 2012 | Gay Dude | Country Singer | |
| 2012 | Chained | Iphigenia | Short film |
| 2012 | R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour | Lanie | Episode: "Stage Fright" |
| 2012 | Seattle Superstorm | Chloe Peterson | TV movie |
| 2012 | A Killer Among Us | Marissa Drake | TV movie |
| 2012 | The Horses of McBride | Nicki Davidson | TV movie |
| 2013 | All's Fair in Love and Advertising | Kelly Burns | TV movie |
| 2013 | Leap 4 Your Life | Brooke | |
| 2013 | Emma's Wings: A Bella Sara Tale | Emma (voice) | |
| 2013 | Guess Who's Coming to Christmas | Kelly Harding | TV movie |
| 2014 | Blackstone | Brianna | 2 episodes |
| 2014–2016 | Hell on Wheels | Naomi Bohannon | 12 episodes |
| 2016– | Travelers | Marcy | Main role |
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| MacKenzie Porter |
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Country | CAN | |||
| 2012 | "I Wish I'd Known" | 34 | — | MacKenzie Porter |
| 2013 | "Never Gonna Let You" | 11 | 96 | |
| 2014 | "If You Ask Me To" | 17 | — | |
| "Misfit Parade" | — | — | ||
| 2015 | "Rodeo" | 32 | — | TBD |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "I Wish I'd Known" | David Tenniswood |
| 2013 | "Never Gonna Let You" | |
| 2014 | "If You Ask Me To" | |
| "Misfit Parade" | ||
| 2015 | "Rodeo" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Canadian Country Music Association | Rising Star | Nominated |
| Leo Awards | Best Female Lead in a Television Movie | Nominated | |
| 2014 | Canadian Country Music Association | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2015 | Juno Awards of 2015 | Country Album of the Year – MacKenzie Porter | Nominated |
| Canadian Country Music Association | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Video of the Year – "If You Ask Me To" | Nominated | ||
| All Star Band – Fiddle | Nominated |