Alex & Sierra

Alex Kinsey, born on September 8, 1991, from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Sierra Deaton, born on February 11, 1991, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed the American duo Alex & Sierra. They gained national recognition in 2013 when they won the third and final season of The X Factor USA, mentored by Simon Cowell. Their audition in New Orleans, Louisiana, featuring a distinctive rendition of Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” advanced them through the competition. The duo consistently impressed judges and audiences with their unique arrangements of popular songs, often topping the iTunes charts with their performances, including “Say Something” and “Gravity.”

Following their victory, Alex & Sierra signed with Columbia Records and released their debut album, “It’s About Us,” on October 7, 2014. The album featured collaborations with notable figures such as Jason Mraz and John Legend. Their lead single, “Scarecrow,” was released in June 2014 and sold 30,000 copies in its first week. They continued to release music, including the EP “As Seen on TV” in September 2016, which featured covers performed during their time on The X Factor. Despite their musical success, the duo announced their separation in September 2017, confirming they had ended their romantic relationship over a year prior and would no longer make music together, choosing instead to pursue solo careers.

Since their split, both Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton have continued their musical journeys independently. Alex Kinsey has released solo music under the name KINSEY and is also part of the musical duo BoTalks. Sierra Deaton, performing as Essy, has released solo singles and has become a credited songwriter and vocalist for various artists, including 5 Seconds of Summer and Luke Hemmings, whom she later married. Her songwriting contributions include “Lover of Mine” for 5 Seconds of Summer and several tracks on Luke Hemmings’ solo album, showcasing her continued involvement in the music industry.