Raised in downtown Manhattan

Made feature debut with supporting role in "Kids"

Co-starred as the opportunistic girlfriend of basketball star Jesus in the Spike Lee drama "He Got Game"

Featured in the New York City-set episodic comedy feature "Side Streets"

Contributed introductory voiceover commentary to Prince's remixed timely release of his hit "1999"

Played a cool-headed student with high aspirations in "Light It Up"

Acted in Ethan Hawke's feature directorial debut "Chelsea Walls"

Had a supporting role in the romantic comedy "Down to You"

Featured in the Edward Burns-directed romance "Sidewalks of New York"

Cast as rocker Valerie in the big screen live action adaptation of the popular cartoon series "Josie and the Pussycats"

Cast in the summer hit sequel "Men In Black II"

Starred opposite Eddie Murphy in the sci-fi comedy "The Adventures of Pluto Nash"

Appeareed in Spike Lee's ensemble crime drama "The 25th Hour"

Co-starred in "Shattered Glass"; film based on the true story of New Republic journalist Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen)

Featured with Seann William Scott and The Rock in "The Rundown"

Co-starred in Oliver Stone's "Alexander" as Roxane the wife of Alexander (Colin Farrell)

Starred in "Sin City" the feature adaptation of comic book icon Frank Miller's uber-noir series of grapic novels; co-directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez

Played Mimi Marquez, an HIV-positive exotic dancer and drug addict in the big-screen adaptation of Jonathan Larson's Tony-winning musical "Rent"

Cast in Kevin Smith's "Clerks ll" the sequel to his first film, 1994's "Clerks"

Co-created (with friend David Atchison) the comic book Occult Crimes Task Force

Apeared in "Death Proof" Quentin Tarantino's half of the goretastic double feature "Grind House" a collaboration with Robert Rodriguez

Collaborated with Heredia and Thoms, her "Rent" co-stars for the feature "Descent"

Played a woman with a heart condition who falls in love with Will Smith in the drama "Seven Pounds"