Yaya DaCosta
Acting
Biography
Camara DaCosta Johnson, professionally known as Yaya Alafia (formerly Yaya DaCosta), is an American actress and model. She's best known for her starring role as April Sexton on NBC's Chicago Med, as Andrea Vaughn in Our Kind of People, and as Whitney Houston in the TV movie Whitney. She was the runner-up in Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model. She eventually went to star as Cassandra in ABC's daytime soap All My Children, as Nico Slater in ABC's comedy-drama Ugly Betty, and as April Sexton on NBC's medical drama Chicago Med. She's also appeared in films including The Kids Are All Right, In Time, The Messenger, The Butler, And So It Goes, and The Nice Guys.
Filmography 35
Movies (19)
Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story2025Monique Smith
Bolden2019Nora Bolden
Peel2019Sarah
Faith Under Fire: The Antoinette Tuff Story2018Kendra
The Nice Guys2016Tally
Whitney2015Whitney Houston
And So It Goes2014Kennedy
Mother of George2013Sade Bakare
The Butler2013Carol Hammie
Big Words2013Annie
In Time2011Greta
Whole Lotta Sole2011Sophie
Weekends at Bellevue2011Vanessa
TRON: Legacy2010Siren #3
The Kids Are All Right2010Tanya
The Messenger2009Monica Washington
Racing for Time2008Vanessa
Honeydripper2007China Doll
Take the Lead2006LaRhette
Shows (16)
The Lincoln Lawyer2022Andrea Freemann
Our Kind of People2021Angela Vaughn
Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts2021Self
Chicago Med2015April Sexton
Chicago P.D.2014April Sexton
Chicago Fire2012April Sexton
Unforgettable2011Molly McGinty
Body of Proof2011Holly Bennett
Mercy2009Brooke Sullivan
Army Wives2007Specialist Amber Stiles
Ugly Betty2006Nico Slater
House2004Anita
Eve2003Ms. Jenkins
America's Next Top Model2003Self - Contestant
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999Audrina
The Simpsons1989Princess Kemi (voice)