Meet the Unexpected Star of 'Sinners,' 20-Year-Old Miles Caton: Five Interesting Facts

The film 'Sinners' has marked an impressive entry into acting for 20-year-old singer Miles Caton.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the movie soared to the top of the box office charts recently. Remarkably, 'Sinners' stands out as the only horror film in history to earn an 'A' rating on CinemaScore.

While audiences initially filled seats to see well-known stars like Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld, they left theaters raving about Caton’s outstanding portrayal of Sammie, the third main character.

Rooted in Gospel and Family

Much like his role as Sammie, Caton’s family life revolves heavily around church activities.

His grandfather, Archbishop Eric Figueroa Sr., serves as an active pastor within the Pentecostal community, while both his mother and aunt perform as gospel vocalists.

As Caton shared with Variety in April, his passion for singing began at the tender age of three.

Early Start with Jay-Z’s Influence

From a young age, Caton has been nurturing his music career.

In 2017, a clip of an 11-year-old Caton singing Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good' captivated the internet. This viral moment caught the eye of Jay-Z, who featured a snippet of it in the opening of his '4:44' music video.

By the age of 12, he showcased his talent on NBC’s show 'Little Big Shots.' Two years later, he performed in a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on 'The View' alongside Grammy winner Yolanda Adams.

Touring with H.E.R. and Gaining Recognition

During his teenage years, while still attending high school, Caton joined the tour of renowned artist H.E.R. as a backup vocalist for her 'Back of My Mind' tour in 2022. He also lent his voice to Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' tour.

Their joint performance of H.E.R.’s hit 'Best Part' as a duet became a pivotal moment, bringing Caton to the attention of the casting directors for 'Sinners'.

In a heartfelt chat with Variety, Caton explained how H.E.R. encouraged him to audition for the role, which changed the course of his career.

Quick Transformation to a Dual Talent

Director Coogler revealed to Variety that Caton’s unique voice, seen in tapes submitted from across the globe, secured him the role in 'Sinners'.

Once cast, Caton dedicated two months to mastering the guitar specifically for his character Sammie, who is both a singer and guitarist in the film. He trained with Randy Bowland, a seasoned Philadelphia guitarist with credits alongside musical giants like Sting and Luther Vandross.

Aiming for New Heights in Entertainment

With simultaneous pursuits in acting and music, Caton is steadily building his reputation in both domains.

In 2023, he released 'This Ain't It,' an original track. Moreover, he collaborated with Alice Smith and the film’s composer Ludwig Göransson to create 'Last Time (I Seen the Sun),' a song for 'Sinners'.

Reflecting on his evolving career, Caton conveys a newfound confidence and aspirations beyond just singing. A possible role in a Marvel film intrigues him, particularly given Coogler's success with 'Black Panther.'