Raised in The Bronx

Discovered by a modeling scout, while enrolled as a full-time student at Yale

Pursued a career as a fashion model in Paris; later entering into an exclusive contract with Tommy Hilfiger

Made her onscreen debut in the MTV original telefim "Carmen: A Hip Hopera," opposite Beyonce Knowles and Mekhi Phifer

Had a small part in the comedy "Showtime" opposite Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro

Breakout role as the understanding girlfriend in "Antwone Fisher" directed by Denzel Washington

Cast in Bille Woodruff's "Honey" as the best friend of an inner-city woman (Jessica Alba)

Cast in "Baadassss!" writer-director-star Mario Van Peebles' depiction of his father Melvin's struggles to film the seminal 1971 film "Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Son"

Played the childhood love interest of 50 Cent in director Jim Sheridan's urban drama "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'"

Co-starred in "Bobby" an ensemble centered around the night of Robert F. Kennedy's assassination; Emilio Estevez's directorial debut

Co-starred in "The Hunting Party" with Richard Gere and Terrence Howard

Played Martin Lawrence's love interest in the comedy "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins"