Eva Marcille

Eva Marcille Pigford, known professionally as Eva Marcille, is an American actress, TV host and fashion model, who most recently played the role of Tyra Hamilton on the soap opera "The Young and the Restless." She started her career by winning the third cycle of "America's Next Top Model."

Eva Marcille Pigford was born in Los Angeles, California to an African-American mother and a Puerto Rican father. Her middle name, Marcille, is an amalgam of "Marjorie" and "Lucille," her grandmothers' names.

Marcille was the winner of the third cycle of "America's Next Top Model," beating fellow contestants Yaya Da Costa and Amanda Swafford. Her prizes included a CoverGirl cosmetics contract, a spread in Elle, and a modeling contract with Ford Models.

Marcille 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.[5] Her other modeling credits include CoverGirl, DKNY, Samsung, Red by Marc Ecko, Jewel magazine, In Touch Weekly magazine (June 2005), King magazine (November 2005), WeTheUrban Magazine, IONA, UNleashed magazine, Star Magazine, Elle, Elle Girl, Applebottoms, Lerner Catalog, Avon Campaign 4 and Rolling Out. Eva'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, 8th Annual 'Models of Perfection' Show 2006, and L.A. Fashion Week's Monarchy Collection Fall 2007.

On November 15, 2006, Eva 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 (her middle name). She has stated she did this in order to not use her modeling fame to get into acting but earn her acting roles.

Marcille hosted BET J's reality show "My Model Looks Better Than Your Model," as well as "Rip the Runway" on BET.

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

She participated in The Real Housewives of Atlanta for season 10 and 11.