Yaya DaCosta
| Yaya DaCosta | |
|---|---|
 DaCosta in September 2010 |
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| Born | Camara DaCosta Johnson November 15, 1982 Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Measurements | 32-23-35 (US) |
| Dress size | 2 (US), 32 (EU) |
| Manager | Ford Models |
Yaya DaCosta (born Camara DaCosta Johnson; November 15, 1982) is an American actress and fashion model. She was the runner-up in Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model. Following her marriage to Joshua Bee Alafia in June 26, 2012[1] she has taken to using the name Yaya Alafia.[2][3]
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Early life [edit]
Of African American, Afro-Brazilian, Nigerian, Irish, and American Indian descent, DaCosta was born on November 15, 1982 in Harlem, New York.[4] In addition to English, she can speak Portuguese, French, Spanish, and conversational Japanese.[5] She majored in Africana Studies and International Relations at Brown University.[5]
Career [edit]
After finishing second on Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model, DaCosta went on to have a successful career.[6] DaCosta only appeared once in the bottom two during the competition. She has appeared in advertisements for Garnier Fructis, Lincoln Townhouse, Oil of Olay, Radioshack, Seda, Sephora and Dr. Scholl's.
DaCosta began acting in 2005 after having a guest role on an episode of the television show Eve_(TV series). She then starred opposite Rob Brown, Antonio Banderas and Alfre Woodard in the 2006 dance film Take the Lead. Dacosta had supporting roles in the independent films Honeydripper (2007) and The Messenger (2009).
She appeared on All My Children in 2008 as Cassandra Foster, the daughter of Angie Hubbard.[7] According to an interview with All My Children's new head writer, Charles Pratt, Jr., DaCosta exited the role some time in August 2008, less than four months after joining the show, to join the cast of "The First Breeze of Summer" on Broadway. "The First Breeze of Summer" was presented from 2008–2009 by the historic Negro Ensemble Company.
In 2009, she portrayed Nico Slater, the daughter of Wilhelmina Slater on the 4th season of the ABC series, Ugly Betty.
DaCosta had a supporting role in the film The Kids Are All Right. The film premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, where distribution rights were purchased. In 2010, she also had a supporting role in the film Tron: Legacy. As these two films were highly promoted, she appeared in American Vogue, L'Officiel and on the cover of W.
Filmography [edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Take the Lead | LaRhette | |
| 2007 | Honeydripper | China Doll | |
| 2008 | Racing for Time | Vanessa | Lifetime Television Movie |
| 2009 | The Messenger | Monica Washington | |
| 2010 | The Kids Are All Right | Tanya | Premiered at 2010 Sundance Film Festival |
| 2010 | Tron: Legacy | Siren | |
| 2011 | In Time | Greta | |
| 2011 | Whole Lotta Sole | Sophie | Shown at Tribeca Film Festival 2012, Spotlight series (world premiere) [8] |
| 2013 | The Butler | Carol Hammie | post-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Eve | Ms.Jenkins | 1 episode |
| 2008 | All My Children | Cassandra Foster | Recurring; 44 episodes |
| 2009 | Ugly Betty | Nico Slater[9] | Recurring; Season 4; 7 episodes |
| 2009 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Audrina | 1 episode |
| 2010 | Mercy | Brooke Sullivan | 1 episode |
| 2010 | Army Wives | Amber | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Body of Proof | Holly Bennett | 1 episode |
| 2011–2012 | House | Anita | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Dark Horse | Amy | TV Movie |
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Pullin' Me Back | Chingy |
| 2007 | Roc Boys | Jay-Z |
| 2011 | Good Man | Raphael Saadiq |
Awards and nominations [edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Teen Choice Award | Movies – Choice Breakout (Female) | Take the Lead | Nominated |
| 2008 | Black Reel Award | Best Ensemble | Honeydripper | Nominated |
| 2010 | Gotham Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | The Kids are All Right | Nominated |
| 2010 | Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards | Best Ensemble Acting | The Kids are All Right | Nominated |
| 2010 | Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | The Kids are All Right | Nominated |
| 2011 | Black Reel Award | Best Breakthrough Performance | The Kids are All Right | Nominated |
| 2011 | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | The Kids are All Right | Nominated |
| 2011 | Central Ohio Film Critics Association | Best Ensemble | The Kids are All Right | Nominated |
| 2011 | Chlotrudis Awards | Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast | The Kids are All Right | Won |
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/356392/20120626/america-s-next-top-model-star-yaya.htm
- ^ http://www.lafilacero.com/persona/Yaya+DaCosta
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1861624/
- ^ Yaya Dacosta at the Fashion Model Directory
- ^ a b "Yaya DaCosta Q&A". cosmogirl.com.
- ^ "Top Model Contestants We Can't Forget". AOL Entertainment Canada.
- ^ "All My Children's Next Top Model". ABC.com. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
- ^ "TFF 2012: Spotlight". tribecafilm.com, Inc. March 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (2009-08-11). "'Ugly Betty' recast: 'Top Model' alum is Willie's daughter! | Ausiello | EW.com". Ausiellofiles.ew.com. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
External links [edit]
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