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Yaya DaCosta

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Yaya DaCosta
DaCosta in September 2010
Born
Camara DaCosta Johnson

(1982-11-15) November 15, 1982 (age 42)
Harlem, New York, U.S.
Alma materBrown University
Spouse
Joshua Bee Alafia
​
​
(m. 2012; sep. 2015)​
Children1
Modeling information
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorBrown
AgencyFord 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.

Personal life

DaCosta was born on November 15, 1982, in Harlem, New York, and is of Brazilian and Nigerian descent.[1] In addition to English, she can speak Portuguese, French, Spanish, and conversational Japanese.[2] She attended the elite Northfield Mount Hermon School during her high school years before attending college where she majored in Africana Studies and International Relations at Brown University.[2]

On June 26, 2012, DaCosta married independent movie producer and director Joshua Bee Alafia. In September 2013, she gave birth to their son, Sankara. As of November 12, 2015, DaCosta has filed for divorce from Alafia.[3]

Career

After finishing second on Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model, DaCosta went on to have a successful career.[4] 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. 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.[5] 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.

In 2010 DaCosta had supporting roles in the films The Kids Are All Right and Tron: Legacy. During the same year she appeared in American Vogue,[volume & issue needed] L'Officiel[volume & issue needed] and on the cover of W.[6]

In 2013, she also appeared as Carol in the film The Butler, starring Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.

It was announced in an interview with actress Angela Bassett on CNN that DaCosta will portray musical icon Whitney Houston in a Lifetime television film about her life, which will be the directorial debut of Angela Bassett.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Take the Lead LaRhette
2007 Honeydripper China Doll
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)[7]
2013 Mother of George Sade
2013 The Butler Carol Hammie
2013 Big Words Annie
2014 And So It Goes Kennedy
2015 Whitney Whitney Houston Lifetime biopic
2015 Bolden! Post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Eve Ms. Jenkins 1 episode
2008 All My Children Cassandra Foster Recurring; 44 episodes
2008 Racing for Time Vanessa Lifetime Television Movie
2009 Ugly Betty Nico Slater[8] 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
2015 The Simpsons Princess Kemi of Nigeria Episode "The Princess Guide"
2015 Chicago Fire April Sexton Recurring, 4 episodes
2015–present Chicago Med April Sexton Main role
Music videos
Year Title Artist
2006 "Pullin' Me Back" Chingy
2007 "Roc Boys" Jay-Z
2011 "Good Man" Raphael Saadiq

Awards and nominations

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

References

  1. ^ Yaya Dacosta at Fashion Model Directory
  2. ^ a b "Yaya DaCosta Q&A". cosmogirl.com.
  3. ^ Julia, Marsh (November 12, 2015). "'ANTM' contestant Yaya DaCosta files for divorce".
  4. ^ "Top Model Contestants We Can't Forget". AOL Entertainment Canada.
  5. ^ "All My Children's Next Top Model". ABC.com. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  6. ^ http://www.wmagazine.com/people/celebrities/2010/09/young_actresses
  7. ^ "TFF 2012: Spotlight". tribecafilm.com, Inc. March 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  8. ^ 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.
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