YAYA DACOSTA

 🌟 Introduction to Yaya DaCosta

​Camara DaCosta Johnson, professionally known as Yaya DaCosta, is an accomplished American actress and model. Born on November 15, 1982, in Harlem, New York City, she gained prominence as the runner-up on Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model in 2004. Since then, DaCosta has built a diverse career in modeling, film, and television, earning acclaim for her versatility and dedication to her craft.​

🧒 Early Life and Education

Raised in Harlem, Yaya DaCosta hails from a multicultural background, with African-American and Brazilian heritage. She is multilingual, fluent in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, and conversational Japanese. DaCosta attended the prestigious Northfield Mount Hermon School before enrolling at Brown University, where she majored in Africana Studies and International Relations .​

📸 Modeling Career

DaCosta's modeling career was launched through her participation in America's Next Top Model, where she finished as the runner-up in 2004. Post-show, she signed with Ford Models and Models 1 London, appearing in campaigns for brands such as Garnier Fructis, Oil of Olay, Sephora, and Dr. Scholl's . Her modeling work laid the foundation for her transition into acting.​

🎬 Acting Endeavors

Yaya DaCosta made her acting debut in 2005 with a guest role on the sitcom Eve. She gained further recognition with her performance in the dance film Take the Lead (2006), earning a Teen Choice Award nomination. DaCosta's filmography includes roles in The Kids Are All Right (2010), Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013), and The Nice Guys (2016). On television, she portrayed April Sexton in NBC's medical drama Chicago Med from 2015 to 2021 and starred as Whitney Houston in the Lifetime biopic Whitney (2015), receiving critical acclaim for her portrayal .​

💖 Personal Life and Advocacy

In her personal life, DaCosta was in a relationship with independent film producer Joshua Bee Alafia, with whom she has a son named Sankara, born in 2013. Beyond her entertainment career, she is a certified full-spectrum doula, providing support to women throughout pregnancy and childbirth . DaCosta is also an advocate for women's rights and has been involved in various initiatives promoting health and wellness.​

🏆 Awards and Recognition

Yaya DaCosta's performances have earned her several nominations, including:​

• Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout (Female) for Take the Lead (2006)

• Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble for Honeydripper (2008)

• Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast for The Kids Are All Right (2010)

• Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie or Limited Series for Whitney (2016)​

Her dedication to her craft and ability to portray complex characters continue to resonate with audiences and critics alike.​

Yaya DaCosta's journey from a reality TV contestant to a respected actress and advocate showcases her resilience, talent, and commitment to making a meaningful impact both on and off the screen.​