Yaya DaCosta
| Yaya DaCosta | |
|---|---|
 DaCosta in September 2010 | |
| Born |
Camara DaCosta Johnson November 15, 1982 Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Brown University |
| Spouse(s) | Joshua Bee Alafia (m. 2012; separated 2015) |
| Children | 1 |
|
Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Manager | Ford Models |
Yaya DaCosta (born Camara DaCosta Johnson; November 15, 1982) is an American actress and model. She was the runner-up in Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model. She stars in the NBC TV medical drama Chicago Med, playing Nurse April Sexton.
Personal life
DaCosta was born on November 15, 1982, in Harlem, New York, and is of Brazilian and African-American decent.[1][2] In addition to English, she can speak Portuguese, French, Spanish, and conversational Japanese.[3][4] 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.[3]
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.[5]
Career
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. 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.
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, L'Officiel and on the cover of W.[8]
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. DaCosta received high praise for her performance.
In 2015, DaCosta landed a recurring role in NBC's medical drama Chicago Med as Nurse April Sexton.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Take the Lead | LaRhette | |
| 2007 | Honeydripper | China Doll | |
| 2009 | Messenger, TheThe Messenger | Monica Washington | |
| 2010 | Kids Are All Right, TheThe Kids Are All Right | Tanya | Premiered at 2010 Sundance Film Festival |
| 2010 | Tron: Legacy | Siren | |
| 2011 | In Time | Greta | |
| 2011 | The Shanghai Hotel | Kendra | |
| 2011 | Whole Lotta Sole | Sophie | Shown at Tribeca Film Festival 2012, Spotlight series (world premiere)[9] |
| 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! | ||
| 2016 | The Nice Guys | Tally | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Eve | Ms. Jenkins | 1 episode |
| 2008 | All My Children | Cassandra Foster | Recurring role, 44 episodes |
| 2008 | Racing for Time | Vanessa | Lifetime Television Movie |
| 2009 | Ugly Betty | Nico Slater[10] | Recurring role, 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 |
| 2011–12 | 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 role, 4 episodes |
| 2015–present | Chicago Med | April Sexton | Main role |
| 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 Awards | 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
- ↑ Yaya Dacosta at the Fashion Model Directory
- ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2014/06/5-things-about-yaya-dacosta-star-of-whitney-houston-biopic/
- 1 2 "Yaya DaCosta Q&A". cosmogirl.com.
- ↑ http://www.eurweb.com/2015/11/yaya-dacosta-slams-antm-squashes-nigerian-roots-rumors. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ Julia, Marsh (November 12, 2015). "'ANTM' contestant Yaya DaCosta files for divorce".
- ↑ "Top Model Contestants We Can't Forget". AOL Entertainment Canada.
- ↑ "All My Children's Next Top Model". ABC.com. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
- ↑ http://www.wmagazine.com/people/celebrities/2010/09/young_actresses
- ↑ "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.