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Who is Tristin Mays?
Tristin is an American actress, known for her roles in both television and film. She garnered attention for her portrayal of Riley Davis in the CBS series “MacGyver”, which ran from 2016 through 2021, prior to which she’d had a recurring role in the Nickelodeon series “Gullah Gullah Island” as a child, and later in “The Vampire Diaries”. Tristin has also been featured in a number of films, including “The Wedding Ringer” and “Thunderstruck”.
Early Life and Education
Tristin Mays was born on 10 June 1990, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to parents Viveca and Michael Mays. She has an older brother, Jeryn, who is also a successful actor. Raised in New York City, Tristin’s innate flair for performance was recognized early on by her parents. Her mother, an artist, and her father, an Air Force veteran and deep-sea diver, provided a supporting environment and helped her seek out acting opportunities early on.
Encouraged by her parents, Tristin made her first foray into acting with her appearances in commercials. At the age of six, she landed a role in the Nickelodeon series “Gullah Gullah Island”. In 2003, Tristin moved to Los Angeles, California, with her family, and where she attended the Vista del Lago High School.
Roles in Movies
Tristin made her movie debut in 1996, with a minor role in the TV comedy “Harambee!” Her next film role came in 2011, when she starred in an independent production entitled “Hot Dog Water”. The movie revolved around the life of a college student, with Tristin playing the role of the leading character’s best friend. Although not a high-profile role, it provided her with valuable experience and a stepping stone into the world of cinema.
In 2012, Tristin starred in the family-comedy film “Thunderstruck”, alongside NBA superstar Kevin Durant, playing the role of Isabelle, a high school student who is friends with the film’s main character. In the following year, she played one of the leads alongside Tequan Richmond and Zac Goodspeed in the teenage comedy “House Party: Tonight’s the Night”, following two senior high school students who throw one last party before heading off to college.
One of Tristin’s most significant roles came in the romantic comedy “The Wedding Ringer” (2015), in which she shared the screen with comedian Kevin Hart, “The Big Bang Theory” star Kaley Cuoco, and accomplished actor Josh Gad. The film follows Doug Harris, a groom-to-be (Josh Gad), who realizes he has no close friends to be his best man and groomsmen.
In a desperate bid to avoid embarrassment, he hires Jimmy Callahan (Kevin Hart), the owner of a company that provides best men for grooms in need. Jimmy agrees to be Doug’s best man and they stage a series of pre-wedding events to convince everyone that they’ve been friends for years. In the film, Tristin played the role of a hired bridesmaid, showcasing her comedic talent alongside the main cast. The film was a major box-office success, despite receiving mixed reviews from the critics.
In 2016, Tristin played one of the leads in the horror comedy “Happy Birthday”, written and directed by Casey Tebo. Four years later, she starred opposite Nathan Owens in the romantic comedy “The Christmas Sitter”, centered on two people who are hired by their rich friends to babysit their children over the holidays.
As of mid-2023, Tristin is set to star alongside Jesse Metcalfe and Micha Giovanni in the upcoming drama “The Comic Shop”, stepping away from her usual comedic roles.
Roles in TV series
Tristin’s television journey began at a young age with her role in the Nickelodeon series “Gullah Gullah Island”. Her talent for acting was quickly recognized, leading to roles in other children’s shows such as “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide”, “Everybody Hates Chris”, and “Big Time Rush”.
However, it was her roles in more mature television series that truly showcased Tristin’s acting prowess. In 2009, Tristin played the recurring role of Taylor Bell in the short-lived thriller drama “Private”, based on the eponymous novel by Kate Brian.
In the following years, she made appearances in several popular series, including “Victorious” (2011), “Zeke and Luther” (2010-2011), and “The Newsroom” (2012).
Further recognition came with her role in “The Vampire Diaries” a supernatural teen drama which aired from 2009 through 2017 on CW. Set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the series follows the life of Elena Gilbert (played by Nina Dobrev), a young high school student who becomes entangled in a complex love triangle with two vampire brothers, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder). Tristin joined the series in its sixth season, taking on the role of Sarah Nelson the daughter of one of the Salvatore brothers.
Tristin’s career reached new heights with her role in the CBS series “MacGyver” (2016-2021) the modern reboot of the eponymous action-adventure television series that originally aired from 1985 to 1992. The show follows the adventures of Angus “Mac” MacGyver, an operative for a secret US government organization. MacGyver, played by Lucas Till in the reboot, is known for his unconventional problem-solving skills, often finding himself in dangerous situations, and escaping using his vast scientific knowledge creating unorthodox solutions using everyday items.
In the series, Tristin starred as Riley Davis, a skilled hacker who has a criminal past. She’s recruited into the Phoenix Foundation, the organization MacGyver works for, and becomes a valuable member of the team with her tech expertise.
Love Life and Relationships
Tristin’s personal life has been as intriguing as her career, though she prefers to keep it private. She was previously rumored to be in a relationship with fellow actor Jessie T. Usher, known for his role in the TV series “The Boys”, however, neither of them have confirmed the rumors. In addition, Tristin was spotted spending time with the American soccer player, DeAndre Yedlin, fueling the rumors about them having a romantic connection.
Despite the inevitable interest in her love life, Tristin has consistently chosen to focus public attention on her work rather than her relationships.
Hobbies and Interesting Facts
Beyond the world of acting, Tristin is a passionate singer and songwriter, a talent she often showcases on her social media platforms. Tristin’s love for music isn’t confined to singing – she’s also skilled in playing the piano and the violin.
Interestingly, Tristin is also a self-confessed nerd, with a keen interest in video games, comics, and superhero movies.
She has a self-titled YouTube channel, onto which she occasionally uploads comedy skits and shares behind-the-scenes details from the projects she worked on.
Net Worth
With a successful acting career spanning over two decades, Tristin has amassed a significant net worth, as of July 2023 estimated at $5 million, reflecting her success in the industry and a testament to her talent and hard work.
