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Melyssa Ford Profile |
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Birth Date: November 7, 1976
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Birth Place: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Birth Name: Melyssa Savannah Ford
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Height: 5'4"
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Biography |
Melyssa Ford was born on November 7, 1980, in
Toronto, Canada. She began acting in school plays at an
early age, and played many lead roles throughout her high
school years. As Melyssa grew older, she developed an
interest in criminal psychology, and even considered working
for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service's (Canada's
CIA) behavioral science unit.
Melyssa majored in psychology at Toronto's York University,
and was a member of the university's debate team. While
working part-time as a barmaid at a local nightclub, she was
"discovered" by music video director Little X.
Melyssa was soon appearing in some of the hottest videos by
hip-hop and R&B's biggest names, including Jay-Z's "Big
Pimpin," Jadakiss' "Knock Yourself Out," Ghostface Killah's
"Cherchez La Ghost," Mystikal's "Shake Ya Ass," 112's
"Anywhere," and Sisqo's "Thong Song Remix." This exposure
led to work in print media, and offers to appear in magazine
layouts began pouring in.
A feature in XXL helped land Melyssa a job hosting
Lifestyles of the Phat and the Phabulous, an Internet show
produced by Harve Pierre, Bad Boy Entertainment's Vice
President. With a couple of suitcases and $25 in her pocket,
she left Canada behind to relocate to New York City. Ford
supplemented her income by tending bar at such NYC
establishments as Justin's, a restaurant owned by P. Diddy.
In the summer of 2000, Melyssa appeared in the opening
episodes of the Showtime series Soul Food, playing "Hoochie
Mama" in the two-parter entitled The More Things Stay the
Same. She moved on to a small role as Deborah in Turn It Up
(2000), an action flick starring rappers Ja Rule and Pras.
In 2001, Melyssa was featured on the cover and in the pages
of Black Men magazine's Swimsuit Extra issue. She was one of
Ebony Rider's Calendar girls for their 2002 edition, and was
also selected to grace the sexy calendar's cover
Melyssa expanded upon her burgeoning modeling career after
Smooth magazine learned of her minor in English Literature.
While the publication initially wanted her to appear as a
model for a monthly column, Melyssa's education paid off
when they gave her a monthly relationship and dating advice
column in 2002. As resident sex-pert "Jessica Rabbit," her
features have become one of Smooth's most popular
attractions.
In 2003, Melyssa made a guest appearance on the UPN series
Platinum. Her official website, www.melyssaford.com, was
launched in December 2003. Released with the help of MBK
Entertainment, the same team that manages soul diva Alicia
Keys, the Melyssa "Jessica Rabbit" Ford 2004 Calendar and
DVD have already sold thousands of copies to eagerly
awaiting fans.
In March 2004, Melyssa hosted BET's How I'm Livin' series.
She currently has several projects in the works. |
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Other
Information |
She has volunteered for the Toronto Humane Society, the
Toronto Wildlife Society and Kitty Kind, a feline adoption
agency.
She races cars and motorcycles (own a Yamaha R6) and she is
a pretty good boxer.
She is of Russian, Norwegian and African heritage.
Father is West-Indian & her mother is Caucasian. She is very
proud of being a bi-racial Canadian woman. |
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