Camara “Yaya” DaCosta Johnson was a contestant and runner-up on Cycle 3 Of ANTM.
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. Yaya only appeared once in the bottom two during the competition.
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, Vibe Magazine, Venus, Terrazine Magazine 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.
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. According to Broadwayworld.com, “The First Breeze of Summer” will be presented from 2008-2009 by the historic Negro Ensemble Company.
In addition to modeling, Yaya is also acting and has in appeared in commercials for Radioshack and Garnier Fructis. She recently appeared in the movie Take the Lead with Antonio Banderas. She has also did modeling for Target and appeared in a few rap music videos.
In 2009, she is scheduled to portray Nico Slater on the ABC series Ugly Betty. She is currently signed to Models 1 London and Ford Models.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: BuddyTV
Source: All ANTM
Source: Yaya’s Facebook
Source: Yaya’s Myspace
Source: IMDB
Source: Fashion Model Directory
Source: ANTM / Daniel Garriga
Source: ANTM / Daniel Garriga
Source: ANTM / Nick Cardillicchio
Source: ANTM / Troy Ward
Source: ANTM / Hyungwan Roo
Source: ANTM / Hyungwan Roo
Source: ANTM / Matthew Jordan Smith
Source: ANTM / Sascha Pflaeging
Source: ANTM
Source: ANTM / Davide
Source: ANTM / Bill Biodato
Source: ANTM /Emiko
Source: ANTM / Takashi Miesaki
Source: ANTM / Ryu Tamagawa
To view more photos of Yaya, click here.
June 7, 2010 at 3:06 am
This girl is my favorite.
October 14, 2010 at 7:21 am
Pretty… Pretty… Pretty… Just, wow. This girl is STUNNING!
October 19, 2010 at 6:55 am
In Elle they had an article about her saying she was going to be in the new Tron movie also.
October 28, 2010 at 4:40 am
She just appeared in the film the Kids are All Right, also starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo. She plays the role of Tanya, who is a friend and co-work of Ruffalo’s character.
October 28, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Yaya is gorgeous. And proof that as long as you work what ANTM gave you, you don’t have to win to have a successful career.
Wish her all the best.
December 6, 2010 at 3:03 am
Love Yaya! Agree that not winning ANTM is probably better for your modeling career. She has been infinitely more successful than most of the winners (including Eva, whom she lost to), and has been able to parlay her success to movie and Broadway roles.
She’s in the current winter Gap campaign, looking amazing. Good for her!
January 12, 2011 at 1:28 am
She also appeared in Tron Legacy!
January 29, 2011 at 9:37 pm
She has even made it bigger than Eva, the winner. Runner up’s always make it bigger anyway.
January 31, 2011 at 9:09 am
She was on the cover of W magazine!! Couldn’t believe it.
February 6, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Just saw YaYa in the movie “The Kids Are All Right”. She looks FANTASTIC!
February 7, 2011 at 5:13 am
She was boring.
March 21, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Yaya was also my favourite, she is just great in that outfit.
April 1, 2011 at 3:10 am
I remember watching the movie “the Kids Are Alright” and wondering who this black beauty was?! I’m happy to know who she was! Damn she is a HOTTIE!!!
May 2, 2011 at 8:21 am
YaYa is proof you cna have brains and beauty. YAAAA Yaya
May 30, 2011 at 2:35 am
Yaya was my FAVORITE! Beautiful, intelligent, and kind-hearted. I’m so happy to see she went on to do so much. I wish she had won instead of Eva.
June 7, 2011 at 6:25 am
Luv u ya-ya u r the best keep doing what you do girl iam happy that u are working in the movies.
July 11, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Arrogant girl, who thinks she is better than everyone else. Can’t stand her.
December 17, 2011 at 1:04 am
LOL. It takes one to know one.
August 18, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Loved Yaya the first time I ever watched ANTM, re-watched it again recently and I see that she is a person who could be easily labeled as “uppity” but what it was, was confidence radiating from her personality which is also a NECESSITY in a competition like this! I know she did not win ANTM but she went on to do some pretty great things! in life, God bless you!
August 20, 2011 at 10:59 am
She was my favorite….go Yaya!
September 10, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Her attitude sucks but she was better model than Eva
September 11, 2011 at 5:32 am
She should’ve won instead of Eva. She was infinitely more successful through the entire competition!
October 15, 2011 at 12:08 am
yaya was the best among the lot
January 3, 2012 at 4:26 am
Really did not like her. He was snotty, didn’t have any sense of humour and was looking down on everybody. Whatever she hasachieved is not important to me because her personality was and probably stil is ugly
January 25, 2012 at 6:09 am
Hey! I just saw her do a cameo on an episode of Law and Order SVU – she looks different but her voice is unmistakable!
January 25, 2012 at 6:10 am
Not sure of the name of the episode but I was honestly surprised lol