Eva Marcille

Eva Marcille Sterling (née Pigford; born October 30, 1984) is an American actress, fashion model and television personality. She rose to prominence after she won the third cycle of America's Next Top Model. Afterwards, she starred as Tracie Evans in Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2007–2012), and landed the role of Tyra Hamilton on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless (2008–2009). Sterling later returned to reality television as a cast member on the Bravo television series The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2018–2021). Early life Eva was born in Los Angeles, California as Eva Pigford. Her middle name, Marcille, is an amalgam of her grandmothers' names "Marjorie" and "Lucille". Her parents are both African American. She attended Raymond Avenue 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 winning the third season of America's Next Top Model at the age of 19. Career Modeling Marcille was the winner of the third cycle of America's Next Top Model in 2004, beating fellow contestant Yaya DaCosta. Her prizes included a CoverGirl cosmetics contract, a spread in Elle, and a modeling contract with Ford Models.