MacKenzie Porter is a Canadian country singer-songwriter and actress who has become one of country music’s most successful Canadian exports, scoring four Canada Country number-one hits.
Raised on a ranch in Alberta and trained as a classical musician from age four, Porter has built a dual career spanning chart-topping music and television acting, most notably as Marcy in the sci-fi series Travelers.
This biography covers her early life, career, personal life, and net worth.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | MacKenzie Lea Porter |
| Born | January 29, 1990 |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Birthplace | Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Singer-Songwriter, Actress |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (approx.) |
| Parents | Father – Rick Porter; Mother – Janet Porter |
| Siblings | Kalan Porter (brother, 2004 Canadian Idol winner) |
| Spouse | Jake Etheridge (married July 2020) |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Known For | Travelers, Hell on Wheels, “About You,” “These Days,” “Seeing Other People,” “Pickup” |
Early Life
MacKenzie Lea Porter was born on January 29, 1990, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and was raised on a cattle and bison ranch in the surrounding countryside.
Her family had a deep musical background, and Porter began studying piano, violin, and vocals at just four years old, later performing for years as a classically trained violinist, soloist, and chamber musician alongside various symphonies.
Her family’s musical talent extended to her brother, Kalan Porter, who won Canadian Idol in 2004, and the siblings toured together in a family band during Porter’s youth. Her grandfather, Bob Porter, served as Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat from 1988 to 1993.
Career
Porter began her acting career as a child, appearing in the British-Canadian children’s series Dinosapien (2006–07) and the Lifetime television movie The Other Woman, for which she won the Alberta “Best Actress Award” at the 2010 Rosies (Alberta Film and Television Awards). She continued building her acting resume with roles in Supernatural, Seattle Superstorm, Hell on Wheels (AMC, 2011–2016), and Tom, Dick & Harriet. She has worked alongside notable actors including Patrick Swayze, Carmen Electra, Michael Madsen, Aidan Quinn, Jason Priestley, and Kim Coates. Her most prominent acting role came from 2016 to 2018 as Marcy Warton, a future-sent medic, in the Netflix/Showcase science fiction series Travelers.
After moving to Vancouver to pursue acting, Porter began working with musician Andrew Jenkins and formed the band The Black Boots before launching her solo music career in 2010. In 2011, she won the Nashville North Star Competition and went on to open for major country acts including Kenny Chesney, Doc Walker, Trooper, and The Tenors, performing for figures such as Gene Simmons and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. She released her debut single, “I Wish I’d Known,” in October 2012, from her self-titled debut album.
Porter’s music career reached new heights in 2018 when she signed with Big Loud Records, becoming the label’s first Canadian artist. Her single “About You” hit number one on Canada Country. In March 2019, her single “These Days” made her the first Canadian country artist to score back-to-back number ones since Shania Twain. In February 2020, “Seeing Other People” became her third consecutive number one, making her the first woman — Canadian or American — to achieve three consecutive number ones since Twain. She was also featured on Dustin Lynch’s Country Airplay number-one hit “Thinking ‘Bout You.” In 2023, she was nominated for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year at the CMT Awards, and in April 2024 she released her second studio album, Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart, on Big Loud Records, featuring the single “Pickup,” which became her fourth Canada Country number one.
Porter is also one-half of the musical duo Thelma and James, alongside her husband, musician Jake Etheridge.
Awards & Nominations
- 2010 Rosies (Alberta Film and Television Awards) — Best Actress, for The Other Woman
- 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Awards — Rising Star nomination
- 2023 CMT Awards — Breakthrough Female Video of the Year nomination
Social Media
| @mackenziepmusic |
Personal Life
MacKenzie Porter began dating American actor and singer-songwriter Jake Etheridge in 2014. Etheridge appeared in the 2019 music video for her hit single “About You.” The couple got engaged in mid-2019 and married in July 2020. In November 2023, Porter announced she was pregnant with the couple’s first child. Together, Porter and Etheridge also perform as the musical duo Thelma and James.
Net Worth
MacKenzie Porter’s net worth is estimated at around $2 million, generated through her successful country music career, chart-topping singles, touring, and television and film acting credits.
Discography / Filmography
Discography:
- MacKenzie Porter (debut album, 2012)
- Drinkin’ Songs: The Collection (2020)
- Nobody’s Born with a Broken Heart (2024)
- Singles: “I Wish I’d Known,” “About You,” “These Days,” “Seeing Other People,” “Pickup,” “Chasing Tornadoes,” “Bet You Break My Heart,” “Have Your Beer,” “Easy to Miss”
Filmography:
- Dinosapien (2006–07)
- The Other Woman (TV movie)
- Supernatural
- Seattle Superstorm as Chloe Peterson
- Hell on Wheels (2011–2016)
- Tom, Dick & Harriet
- Travelers (2016–2018) as Marcy Warton
FAQs
Who is MacKenzie Porter?
MacKenzie Porter is a Canadian country singer-songwriter and actress known for hit songs like “These Days” and her role in Travelers.
How old is MacKenzie Porter?
MacKenzie Porter was born on January 29, 1990, making her 36 years old as of 2026.
Who is MacKenzie Porter’s husband?
She is married to musician Jake Etheridge, whom she wed in July 2020.
Is MacKenzie Porter related to Kalan Porter?
Yes, Kalan Porter, the 2004 Canadian Idol winner, is her brother.
Conclusion
From a childhood violinist on an Alberta ranch to one of Canada’s most successful country music exports, MacKenzie Porter’s career reflects both musical discipline and screen versatility.
With back-to-back chart-topping singles and a growing acting resume, MacKenzie Porter continues to expand her influence across both music and television.