Naima Mora
Encyclopedia
Naima Mora is an American fashion model and the winner of Cycle 4
of America's Next Top Model
.
, the daughter of African American, talented jazz vocalist and entrepreneur Theresa Mora & Mexican jazz
percussionist Francisco Mora Catlett. Her paternal grandparents are painter Francisco Mora and sculptress, painter and printmaker Elizabeth Catlett
. She is the inspiration for her grandmother's 2001 black marble bust entitled Naima. Catlett described it as:
Her father is Mexican
, Native American
, African-American, while her mother is Irish
and African-American.. She was named after the John Coltrane
song Naima
. Mora has 5 sisters, including her identical twin, Nia, who is a photographer. Her older sister, Ife Mora (born 1977), is a vocalist in the trip-hop/experimental rock group livemas.
Mora grew up near West McNichols and Schaefer on Detroit's northwest side and attended Bates Academy for middle school. Mora graduated from Cass Technical High School
in Detroit in 2002. A serious student of ballet
, Mora attended Detroit's Ballet
Renaissance and was enrolled in American Ballet Theatre's Detroit summer programme.
She also worked as a coffee shop waitress before moving from Detroit to New York City to attend the school of Dance Theatre of Harlem
. Mora decided to audition for America’s Next Top Model at the behest of a scout that visited her at her job.
and introverted personality, Mora was originally thought to be a long-shot to walk away with the title of America’s Next Top Model. Though her earlier photographs were not as strong as runner-up Kahlen Rondot
, the judges were swayed by Mora's final performance on the catwalk. Tyra Banks, in particular, felt that Kahlen was "the girl who did excellent during the semester and kind of failed the final exam," while Mora was "the girl who did fair during the semester but killed her final exam." Her win consisted of a fashion spread in Elle
, a contract with Ford Models
and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics. It was also revealed in a Top Model challenge, that Mora is a vegetarian. She was recently voted as one of the most memorable contestants by AOL.
, on the second season premiere of Veronica Mars
, and in a CoverGirl commercial with Yoanna House
.
Mora and Cycle 3
's Ann Markley were Trophy Girls at the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards. Mora also served as a judge at the Miss Teen USA
Pageant in 2005. Mora was a guest host at the Ramapo College Enerve Couture Fashion Show in Spring 2006.
Mora has done print modelling for CoverGirl, ELLE Magazine, Fuego Magazine, US Weekly Magazine, Radaar Magazine, IN Touch Magazine, Star Magazine, Teen People Magazine, Split Clothing, and Jazz Album Samsung. Mora's runway shows include Christopher Deane Spring 2006 Collection, Gharani Strok Fall 2005, Carlos Miele Fashion Show, Walmart and ELLEgirl Presents Dare To Be You Spring 2006, Fashion Comedy Style 2005 (Charity Event), and New York Fashion Week 2007. She has modelled with her sisters twice: with her sister, Ife, for iTunes and with her twin, Nia, for Cycle 2's
Camille McDonald's lingerie line, Lingerwear.
In 2006, she wrapped up filming on an independent film called Sarbanes-Oxley and made an appearance in a music video for TV on the Radio
’s “Wolf Like Me.”
In 2007, she was on the cover of U&U magazine and Uzuri magazine and was photographed by Romer Pedrome and Derek Blanks.
In 2008, she had a cover and editorial in Vicious magazine, and she signed with 301 Model Management in Miami and Basic Model Management in New York City. She got a showcard for Fashion Week SS09 and walked in the Project Runway
Finale for designer Joe Farris.
Mora was the vocalist for the unsigned band "Chewing Pics". Their EP, "Tarantula" was released on March 10, 2008. As of Fall 2009 the group disbanded.
Mora is currently singing for the band "Galaxy of Tar." In May 2010, they released a two-song single, "Volatile Glass".
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 4
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 4 aired in spring 2005, with the shooting location being moved from New York City to Los Angeles. The catch-phrase of the season was "Dive In."...
of America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
.
Early life
Naima Mora was born on March 1, 1984 in Detroit, MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, the daughter of African American, talented jazz vocalist and entrepreneur Theresa Mora & Mexican jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
percussionist Francisco Mora Catlett. Her paternal grandparents are painter Francisco Mora and sculptress, painter and printmaker Elizabeth Catlett
Elizabeth Catlett
Elizabeth Catlett Mora is an African-American sculptor and printmaker. Catlett is best known for the black, expressionistic sculptures and prints she produced during the 1960s and 1970s, which are seen as politically charged....
. She is the inspiration for her grandmother's 2001 black marble bust entitled Naima. Catlett described it as:
Her father is Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
, African-American, while her mother is Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and African-American.. She was named after the John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
song Naima
Naima
"Naima" is a ballad composed by John Coltrane in 1959, and named after his then-wife, Juanita Naima Grubbs. It first appeared on the album Giant Steps, and is notable for its use of a variety of rich chords over a bass pedal...
. Mora has 5 sisters, including her identical twin, Nia, who is a photographer. Her older sister, Ife Mora (born 1977), is a vocalist in the trip-hop/experimental rock group livemas.
Mora grew up near West McNichols and Schaefer on Detroit's northwest side and attended Bates Academy for middle school. Mora graduated from Cass Technical High School
Cass Technical High School
The Cass Tech Technicians football team is a high school football program in Division 1 Public School League, representing the prestigious Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI. Cass Tech High School has long been recognized nationwide for its extraordinary football program dating back to its...
in Detroit in 2002. A serious student of ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, Mora attended Detroit's Ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
Renaissance and was enrolled in American Ballet Theatre's Detroit summer programme.
She also worked as a coffee shop waitress before moving from Detroit to New York City to attend the school of Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a ballet company and school of the allied arts founded in Harlem, New York City, USA in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook...
. Mora decided to audition for America’s Next Top Model at the behest of a scout that visited her at her job.
America's Next Top Model
With her mohawkMohawk hairstyle
The mohawk is a hairstyle in which, in the most common variety, both sides of the head are shaven, leaving a strip of noticeably longer hair...
and introverted personality, Mora was originally thought to be a long-shot to walk away with the title of America’s Next Top Model. Though her earlier photographs were not as strong as runner-up Kahlen Rondot
Kahlen Rondot
Kahlen Rondot is a bartender and former model who is best known as the runner-up on Cycle 4 of America's Next Top Model.-America's Next Top Model:...
, the judges were swayed by Mora's final performance on the catwalk. Tyra Banks, in particular, felt that Kahlen was "the girl who did excellent during the semester and kind of failed the final exam," while Mora was "the girl who did fair during the semester but killed her final exam." Her win consisted of a fashion spread in Elle
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
, a contract with Ford Models
Ford Models
The Ford Modeling Agency, or as it is known today Ford Models, is a modeling agency in New York City. It was established in 1946 by Eileen and the late Gerard W. Ford.-Company:...
and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl cosmetics. It was also revealed in a Top Model challenge, that Mora is a vegetarian. She was recently voted as one of the most memorable contestants by AOL.
Modelling/acting career
She has been seen on television as a guest on The Tyra Banks ShowThe Tyra Banks Show
The Tyra Banks Show, also known as and shortened to Tyra or The Tyra Show, is an American talk show hosted by Tyra Banks. The last new episode aired on Friday, May 28, 2010.-2005-2009: Syndication:...
, on the second season premiere of Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars is an American television series created by Rob Thomas. The series premiered on September 22, 2004, during television network UPN's final two years, and ended on May 22, 2007, after a season on UPN's successor, The CW Television Network. Veronica Mars was produced by Warner Bros...
, and in a CoverGirl commercial with Yoanna House
Yoanna House
Yoanna House is an American fashion model and television host, best known as the winner of Cycle 2 of America's Next Top Model.- Biography :...
.
Mora and Cycle 3
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 3
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 3 debuted on September 22, 2004. It was the first cycle to gain partnership with cosmetics magnate CoverGirl and ran weekly commercials during the show named Beauty Tip of the Week with Jay Manuel and Elsa Benitez as well as the CoverGirl of the Week contest. Also...
's Ann Markley were Trophy Girls at the 2005 Primetime Emmy Awards. Mora also served as a judge at the Miss Teen USA
Miss Teen USA
Miss Teen USA is a beauty pageant run by the Miss Universe Organization for girls aged 14–19. The reigning titleholder is Danielle Doty of Texas....
Pageant in 2005. Mora was a guest host at the Ramapo College Enerve Couture Fashion Show in Spring 2006.
Mora has done print modelling for CoverGirl, ELLE Magazine, Fuego Magazine, US Weekly Magazine, Radaar Magazine, IN Touch Magazine, Star Magazine, Teen People Magazine, Split Clothing, and Jazz Album Samsung. Mora's runway shows include Christopher Deane Spring 2006 Collection, Gharani Strok Fall 2005, Carlos Miele Fashion Show, Walmart and ELLEgirl Presents Dare To Be You Spring 2006, Fashion Comedy Style 2005 (Charity Event), and New York Fashion Week 2007. She has modelled with her sisters twice: with her sister, Ife, for iTunes and with her twin, Nia, for Cycle 2's
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 2
America's Next Top Model Cycle 2, which premiered on January 13, 2004, was the second season of America's Next Top Model hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, which aims to find the next top fashion model. The cycle's catch-phrase was "They are all gorgeous, but only one has what it takes".This was the...
Camille McDonald's lingerie line, Lingerwear.
In 2006, she wrapped up filming on an independent film called Sarbanes-Oxley and made an appearance in a music video for TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
’s “Wolf Like Me.”
In 2007, she was on the cover of U&U magazine and Uzuri magazine and was photographed by Romer Pedrome and Derek Blanks.
In 2008, she had a cover and editorial in Vicious magazine, and she signed with 301 Model Management in Miami and Basic Model Management in New York City. She got a showcard for Fashion Week SS09 and walked in the Project Runway
Project Runway
Project Runway is an American reality television series on Lifetime Television, previously on the Bravo network, which focuses on fashion design and is hosted by model Heidi Klum. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme...
Finale for designer Joe Farris.
Mora was the vocalist for the unsigned band "Chewing Pics". Their EP, "Tarantula" was released on March 10, 2008. As of Fall 2009 the group disbanded.
Mora is currently singing for the band "Galaxy of Tar." In May 2010, they released a two-song single, "Volatile Glass".