Biography
Derrian Tolden was born January 26, 1984 in Houston, Texas to Norvella (Smith), who is a motivational speaker, philanthropist and official 'Yellow Rose of Texas,' and Gary Tolden, who celebrated 40 years with Service Corporation International in June of 2017. He also has a half-sister, Tanisha Latavia Carter , aka Carter Cartier, and a niece, "Princess" Paris Jade Carter. His family is said to be the first settlers of Flaccus Colony known as the First Black Colony of Texas ironically settled by an Irishman, James P. Smythe and Sarah Fields, a former slave.
In early childhood, Derrian, showed tremendous promise for music and the arts. His gravitation to the piano and drums led to a cultivation of musical training and performance with later expansions to singing and dance. It wasn't until attending Pflugerville High School that Derrian received his first lead role in a musical and subsequent awards for music performance in singing and a Texas UIL One-Act Play Regional Best Actor Award for his portrayal of 'Papa Ge' in a stage adaptation of 'Once On This Island.'
Under the tutelage of Susan Neff and private instructor, Keithon Gipson, Derrian discovered his passion for singing and was encouraged to attend Louisiana State University to study with world-class Mezzo-Soprano, Dr. Lori Bade. At LSU Derrian developed his passion for operatic performance and stage craft with, Dr. Ken Fulton, Professor Emeritus, Mr. Dugg McDonough, former director at Des Moines Opera and Mr. John Keene, world renowned Music Director and accompanist best known as the youngest member of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra at age twelve.
Derrian moved to New York to continue his performance career and traveled internationally in the Warner Bros. and Life Like Touring production of SCOOBY-DOO LIVE!: MUSICAL MYSTERIES, FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL and OCTONAUTS LIVE!, a musical adaptation of the popular cartoon on Disney Channel.
He moved to Hollywood, California in 2014 and joined Act Club LA: Screen Actors System to study on-camera technique under the philosophies of master editor and director Ryan R. Williams where he developed an A-list craft. He continues to push boundaries in his artistry performing his own stunts and insisting on not using stand-ins or doubles for projects at every level of his career. His work has been recognized and is globally known as The Ultimate Entertainer.
