Camara "Yaya" Da Costa Johnson Biography (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Yaya DaCosta (born Camara Yaya DaCosta Johnson) is an American actress and fashion model from Harlem, New York. She was the runner-up in Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model. She graduated from Brown University, majoring in International Relations and African Studies.

Biography

Early life

DaCosta was born on November 15, 1982 in Harlem, New York. Yaya is African American of Nigerian heritage from Brazil. Yaya mentioned her heritage being of the Yoruba tribe in south west Nigeria. DaCosta's mother is a Montessori teacher. Her father is a professor of Sociology.

Career

After finishing in second place in America's Next Top Model, where she is considered one of the most memorable contestants, DaCosta went on to a successful career. She is currently signed to Models 1 London and Ford Models. She has modeled for Target, Olay, CharmaineLouise, DJA Clothing Company, Venus Clothing, Isaac Mizrahi, Kohl's, Seven Magazine, Interview Magazine, Essence Magazine, Jewel Magazine, Elle Girl Presents Dare To Be You: Wal-Mart Meets America's Next Top Model, Marc Bouwer Fall 2005, Seda, Garnier Fructis, Lincoln Townhouse, Radioshack, Dr. Scholl's and Sephora.

DaCosta began acting in 2005 after having a small role in an episode of Eve called Prom Night. Since then she has acted in three major motion pictures, Take the Lead, Honeydripper and The Shanghai Hotel. She also acted in a TV movie called Racing for Time. She was recently cast on All My Children as Cassandra Foster, the daughter of Angie Hubbard.

Personal life

DaCosta is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. DaCosta graduated from Brown University where she studied International Relations and Africana Studies. She is 5'8, 118lbs and her measurements are 32-23-35.

Select filmography

Television and film

Year	Title	Role
2004	America's Next Top Model	Contestant(Runner-up)
2005	Eve	Ms.Jenkins
2005	MuchMusic Video Music Awards	Herself
2006	E! True Hollywood Story	Herself
2006	Take The Lead	LaRhette
2006	Teen Choice Awards	Herself
2007	Honeydripper	China Doll
2008	Racing for Time	Vanessa
2008	The Shanghai Hotel	Kendra
2008	All My Children	Cassandra Foster

Music videos

• Pullin' Me Back By: Chingy (2006)
• Beautiful Girls By: Sean Kingston (2007)

Awards and nominations

• Teen Choice Awards-Choice Female Breakout (Take The Lead as LaRhette)-Nominated

This biography article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Yaya DaCosta". Reality TV World is not responsible for any errors or omissions this article may contain.