Eva Marcille (born Eva Marcelle Pigford on October 30, 1984) is an American fashion model and actress. She was the winner of the third cycle of America's Next Top Model, and was the first African American contestant to win the program.

Early life

Eva Pigford was born in Los Angeles, California. She attended 74th Street Elementary School, Marina Del Rey Middle School, and Washington Preparatory High School (2002). She attended Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia; however, she left the school shortly after it was revealed that she was the winner of America's Next Top Model Cycle 3.


Career

Modeling

Marcille was the winner of the third cycle of America's Next Top Model, beating fellow contestant Yaya Da Costa and her prizes included a CoverGirl cosmetics contract, a spread in Elle, and a modeling contract with Ford Models. She is the shortest winner of America's Next Top Model, a designation she will always retain; beginning with Cycle 4, a new requirement was included in the America's Next Top Model audition criteria that contestants must be at least a minimum height of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). She was recently voted as one of the most memorable contestants by AOL entertainment. She is the contestant who has appeared on the most ANTM episode to date (20, including 4 specials).

She has appeared on the cover of Brides Noir, Women's Health and Fitness (May 2005), King magazine (June 2005), IONA (November 2005), and Essence magazine.

Marcille's other modeling credits include CoverGirl, DKNY, Samsung, Red by Marc Ecko, Jewel magazine, In Touch Weekly magazine (June 2005), King magazine (November 2005), IONA, UNleashed magazine, Star Magazine, Elle, Elle Girl, Applebottoms, and Lerner Catalog.

Marcille's runway shows include the Marc Bouwer Fall 2005, Elle Girl presents Dare To Be You: Wal-Mart Meets America's Next Top Model 2005, Gharani Strok Fall 2005, Deborah Lindquist Spring 2006, Naqada Spring 2006, and 8th Annual 'Models of Perfection' Show 2006.

On November 15, 2006, Marcille left her managers Benny Medina and Tyra Banks. After leaving Banks and Medina for new management, she officially dropped "Pigford" from her name, now going by Eva Marcille (a modification of her middle name), according to her official website and MySpace.

Eva is now signed to L.A. Models.

She has recently been featured on America's Next Top Model: Exposed on the CW.

Acting

Marcille has guest-starred on several series on the now-defunct television network UPN and The CW Network, which was formed from the merger of UPN and The WB Network. Her guest-star credits include two episodes of Kevin Hill, one episode of Smallville, one episode of Everybody Hates Chris, and one episode of The Game as herself. Marcille has also appeared on Tyler Perry's House of Payne.

In addition, Marcille hosted BET J's reality show My Model Looks Better Than Your Model, as well as Rip the Runway on BET. Furthermore, she has appeared in several music videos, including "Baby" by Angie Stone (featuring Betty Wright), 50 Cent's single, "I Get Money," and Jamie Foxx's music video, "DJ Play a Love Song.". She is also mentioned in Lil' Kim's song, "I know you see me"

In film, her credits include The Walk, Crossover, and, most recently, I Think I Love My Wife.

In 2005, Marcille appeared in a first-season episode of the MTV improv show Nick Cannon Presents Wild 'N Out. In December 2007, Marcille played a featured role in an episode of Smallville.

She has recently joined the cast of The Young and The Restless as a young mother named Tyra Hamilton (as a in-line joke of Top Model).

Personal life

Marcille has been dating Tyler Perry's House of Payne star Lance Gross since late 2007. She and Gross have been seen at many red carpet events, including the 35th Daytime Emmy Awards, Why Did I Get Married?, and Meet The Browns film premieres.