Before he was blessing audiences in cinemas, Miles Caton was blessing pulpits. Known today as the breakout star of Ryan Coogler’s powerful new film Sinners, Caton’s story began not in Hollywood, but in the house of the Lord.

The 20-year-old actor and singer from Brooklyn may be new to moviegoers, but in gospel circles, his voice has been a quiet storm for years.

Caton was born into a family deeply rooted in gospel music. His mother, Timiney Figueroa, and aunt, Anaysha Figueroa-Cooper, are both renowned gospel vocalists who have ministered through music for decades. Raised in church, Miles started singing at the age of two, and it was clear early on that the gift of music and ministry was on his life. He used competitions such as Little Big Shots, hosted by Steve harvey, to minister to the masses by choosing songs such as For Every Mountain by Kurt Carr to tackle. 

His life changed when a video of him singing Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” at age 12 went viral. But it wasn’t just secular ears that took notice. The performance was so moving it was featured in Jay-Z’s video for “4:44” - a moment that, while unexpected, was just another reminder that God was positioning Caton for something greater.

The transition to film wasn’t something Caton was chasing but perhaps, something God placed in his path. While touring as a backup singer for H.E.R., the Grammy-winning artist encouraged him to audition for a new film by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. That film turned out to be Sinners, a haunting, faith-infused story set in 1930s Mississippi.

Caton plays Sammie Moore, a preacher’s son wrestling with the call of God on his life and the temptation of blues music in a world plagued by racism and spiritual warfare. To prepare, Caton spent months learning guitar and studying both gospel and blues traditions. But more than that, he drew from his own spiritual journey.

In a GQ interview, Caton discussed his preparation for the role, highlighting the emotional complexity of the character and the film's themes of faith and temptation. He emphasized the importance of authenticity in portraying a character torn between his religious upbringing and the allure of blues music. ​

Caton's performance in Sinners has been widely acclaimed, signalling the rise of a promising new star in film and music. He continues to pursue music, releasing a single, "This Ain’t It," in 2023 and co-writing an original song for the film. Caton hopes to expand his acting portfolio, including roles in Marvel films, expressing a desire to explore multi-faceted creativity across music and cinema.