Naima Mora Biography
Naima Mora is an American fashion model and the winner of Cycle 4 of America’s Next Top Model television series.
Naima Mora Age
Mora was born on 1 March, 1984 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. She is 35 years old as of 2019.
Naima Mora Parents
Mora was born to jazz vocalist and entrepreneur Theresa Mora and jazz percussionist Francisco Mora Catlett. Her mother Theresa is Irish and African-American while her father is half Mexican and half African-American. Mora’s paternal grandparents are Francisco Mora (painter) and sculptor, painter, and printmaker Elizabeth Catlett. Mora is also the inspiration for her grandmother’s 2001 black marble bust entitled Naima.
Naima was named after the John Coltrane song “Naima”.
Naima Mora Twin | Naima Mora Twin Sister | Naima Mora Sisters
Mora has five sisters, including her identical twin, Nia, who is a photographer. She also has an older sister Ife Sanchez Mora a singer/ songwriter. Sanchez was signed to Tricky’s Massive Attack label Durban Poison/ DreamWorks S.K.G in the trip-hop group, The Autumn People and is now a solo rock singer Ife Sanchez Mora and part of duet Ife & Danny. She was the wife of chef Aaron Sanchez.
Naima Mora Education
She grew up near West McNichols and Schaefer on Detroit’s northwest side where she attended Bates Academy for middle school. She then attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit where she graduated in 2002. Being a serious ballet student, she attended Detroit’s Ballet Renaissance and was enrolled in American Ballet Theatre’s Detroit summer program.
Naima Mora Project Runway | Naima Mora Runway
She has done print modeling for CoverGirl, ELLE Magazine, Fuego Magazine, Us Weekly Magazine, Radar, In Touch, Star, Teen People, Split Clothing, and elsewhere. Her 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
Mora got a showcard for Fasion week SS09 and she walked in the Project Runway Finale for designer Joe Farris.
Naima Mora Veronica Mars
Mora appeared as a guest on the second season premiere of the American teen noir mystery drama Veronica Mars.
Naima Mora Now
Mora goes on with her modelling career.
Naima Mora Married
Mora keeps her personal life very private and she has not yet disclosed any information on her dating.
Naima Mora Net Worth
Mora’s net worth is not yet revealed.
Naima Mora Twitter
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Naima Mora Ted Talk
Naima Mora Interview
Published: SEP 11, 2007
Are you still in touch with anyone from the show?
From my cycle, I still talk with K-Len and Keenya. Now that the show is over we’re all still working as models and sometimes we have shoots together.
Have you watched other seasons of ANTM? Are you going to watch Cycle 9?
Gosh… a secret, I don’t have television. I prefer to watch movies on my flat screen at home rather than watch television, so I never got cable… so I guess no, I probably wont watch it, but I do keep up with each season in other ways, like on-line.
What advice do you have for future contestants and winners of ANTM?
Follow your heart. Listen to it very carefully and truly believe in yourself with out a doubt.
Do you feel the show accurately portrayed what went on in the Top Model house?
yes.
I see in your myspace profile you’re listed as married. Are you actually married? If so to whom, when did you get married, etc?
HAHAHA, well I’m waiting for him to pop the big question. But my boyfriend and I live together and we already act like a married couple. that’s all.
You got the coolest makeover I think in Top Model history. Do you still have the mohawk?
No, I actually do not. I grew my hair really long last year then shaved back to a mohawk toward November. But I find that I get a lot more work modeling with a full head of hair, so it’s growing back nicely now.
Are you working full time as a model now?
yes, I’m also acting and I have a few more things I’m working on that I don’t want to mention really until they’re absolutely ready. But I’ll keep you posted when they do.
Looking at the pictures of cycle 9’s ANTM hopefuls, who do you think has the most top model potential? If you had to bet on one girl, who would you put your money on?
I’ll have to get back to you on that one…
You had a guest starring role on Veronica Mars back in 2005, are you interested in doing more acting?
As mentioned above, I have been taking extensive acting training here in new york city and I have been auditioning a lot. But acting in itself is a life long career and I’m humble with it, I’ll get another debut when the time is ready, until then I’m preparing.
Do you think of yourself as a good role model for young girls?
Funny, I didn’t used to think I was such a good role model. I think I was just overwhelmed with whole fame of celebrity. Now after being in the industry for a little while, I’ve grown a lot and I work really hard on maintaining a good image for my fans to look up to and be inspired by. I think that’s really important.
Have you always wanted to be a model?
Yes. More so, I’ve always wanted to be a performer. I do remember taking modeling pictures with my mom when I was growing up in Detroit. I had to be about 8 years old. But then I was obsessed with classical ballet and moved to new york for that reason. While dancing though, I began to pursue modeling on the side, and now my dreams have come true.
What were your childhood dreams?
To be an astronaut, to be a singer, to be a model, to be a dancer, to be a mom, to have a little family and a nice house, the same dreams most little girls have.
Who is your favorite designer to wear? To model for?
Wow! Yhat’s not a fair question to someone like me, some days I love to look punk rock with studded belts and chains and on other days I love to look elegant in pretty dresses (Tracey Reese is one of my favs in dress design)… so I guess it depends on the day. But my favorite designer ever is Alexander McQueen.
If you could have lunch with one person, living or dead, who would it be?
John Coltrain
Adapted from: allwomenstalk.com