Naima Mora American model Date of Birth: 01.03.1984 Country: USA

Biography of Naima Mora

Naima Mora, an American model, was born on March 1, 1984, in Detroit, Michigan. She gained popularity after winning the fourth cycle of the reality show "America's Next Top Model." Naima's name was inspired by the John Coltrane song "Naima," as her father, Francisco Mora Catlett, is a Mexican jazz percussionist. Her grandparents, Francisco Mora and Elizabeth Catlett, were renowned artists in the fields of painting, sculpture, and engraving. Naima has a twin sister named Nia, who became a photographer, and an older sister, Ife Mora, who is a vocalist for the trip-hop/experimental group "livemas."

Growing up in northwest Detroit, Naima attended Bates Academy and graduated from Cass Technical High School in 2002. She developed a passion for ballet and performed in the Detroit's Ballet Renaissance and the American Ballet Theatre's summer program in Detroit. Before moving to New York, she worked as a waitress in a cafe. In New York, Naima enrolled in the Dance Theatre of Harlem school.

Naima auditioned for "America's Next Top Model" after being approached by one of the show's agents who visited her at the cafe. Despite initial doubts due to her unique mohawk hairstyle and introverted nature, she impressed the judges with her final performance and was crowned the winner of the show's fourth cycle. As a result, Naima secured a contract with Elle magazine, signed with Ford Models agency, and earned a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl.

Naima's memorable presence on the show earned her recognition from AOL as one of the most memorable contestants. She appeared as a guest on "The Tyra Banks Show" and landed roles in the second season of "Veronica Mars" and a commercial for CoverGirl alongside model and host Yoanna House. Naima also served as a judge for the "Miss Teen USA" beauty pageant in 2005 and hosted the fashion show "Ramapo College Enerve" in spring 2006.

Throughout her career, Naima worked with various magazines such as Fuego Magazine, Radaar Magazine, ELLE, Star Magazine, and Teen People Magazine. She walked the runway for Christopher Deane, Carlos Miele, ELLEgirl Presents Dare To Be You, and New York Fashion Week. Naima also posed for photoshoots with her sisters, including one with Ife for iTunes and another with her twin, Nia, for the lingerie line "Lingerwear."

In addition to modeling, Naima pursued other creative endeavors. She appeared in the independent film "Sarbanes-Oxley" in 2006 and featured in the music video for the song "Wolf Like Me" by the American experimental rock band "TV on the Radio." Naima graced the covers of "U&U," "Uzuri," and "Vicious" magazines in 2007 and 2008.

Outside of her modeling career, Naima is a practicing Buddhist and vegetarian. She was a vocalist for the contract-free group "Chewing Pics," and their mini-album "Tarantula" was released on March 10, 2008. However, the group disbanded in the fall of 2009. Currently, Naima sings in the rock band "Galaxy of Tar," and their single "Volatile Glass" was released in May 2010.