Yaya DaCosta American actress and model Date of Birth: 15.11.1982 Country: USA

Biography of Yaya DaCosta

Born on November 15, 1982, in Harlem, New York, Yaya DaCosta Johnson is an American actress and model. She comes from a family with a multicultural background, speaking not only English but also Portuguese, French, Spanish, and conversational Japanese. DaCosta has a diverse heritage, with blood from the Cherokee, Irish, Brazilian, and West African people running through her veins.

DaCosta attended Brown University, specializing in African and international relations. Her career took off after she placed second in the third cycle of the reality show "America's Next Top Model." She went on to star in commercials for "Garnier Fructis," "Lincoln Townhouse," "Oil of Olay," "Radioshack," "Seda," "Sephora," and the brand "Dr. Scholl's."

In 2005, DaCosta made her acting debut with a guest role as Miss Jenkins on the television series "Eve." She then starred alongside Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, and Alfre Woodard in the dance drama "Take the Lead" in 2006. DaCosta earned a supporting role in John Sayles' independent musical drama "Honeydripper" in 2007, and she continued in a similar status in Oren Moverman's war drama "The Messenger" in 2009.

In 2008, DaCosta appeared as Cassandra Foster, the daughter of Angie Hubbard, in the series "All My Children." However, she left the show after less than four months to join the cast of the play "The First Breeze of Summer" on Broadway, produced by the historic theater company Negro Ensemble Company. The show ran from 2008 to 2009.

In 2009, DaCosta portrayed Nico Slater, Wilhelmina Slater's daughter, in the fourth season of ABC's "Ugly Betty." She also had a supporting role as Tanya in Lisa Cholodenko's dramedy "The Kids Are All Right" alongside Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, and Josh Hutcherson. The film, which explores the story of children from a lesbian couple searching for their biological father, premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

DaCosta's most recent acting endeavors include a supporting role in Joseph Kosinski's sci-fi action film "Tron: Legacy" with Jeff Bridges and Garrett Hedlund, as well as ongoing filming in the sci-fi thriller "Now." The release of the latter is scheduled for late September 2011.