Eva Marcille's Career History: TV, Movies, and America's Next Top Model
Discover why this The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member is another triple threat.
When Eva Marcille joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta as a main cast member in Season 11, she was already quite comfortable behind the camera. Besides appearing as a RHOA friend in Season 10, the Los Angeles native was recognizable from her numerous TV and movie roles — including winning America's Next Top Model in 2004.
Still, becoming a Bravolebrity was a journey of its own.
"Real Housewives is like no other beast," Eva told The Daily Dish in March 2018. "It doesn't matter that I've done other shows or that I'm aware of the camera and cool with that. Like, Housewives and everything that comes with it — the women, the circumstances, the drama, the shade — it's like a whole 'nother world."
Eva began her career using her surname Pigford (Marcille is her middle name!), and her sheer beauty and talent have always been on display as she's pursued her passions. Keep reading to take a peek through Eva's career so far, her modeling, hosting, and acting gigs included.
Eva Marcille on America's Next Top Model
Eva's career was kickstarted when she won Season 3 of America's Next Top Model. As the 2004 champion of the Tyra Banks-hosted modeling competition, her prizes included a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, an Elle Magazine spread, and a contract with Ford Models.
In 2018, Tyra brought Eva back to the ANTM world for a special throwback episode.
"I'm insanely obsessed. I am so proud of her. I mean, from Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model, she has held her own and is doing her thing," Tyra gushed during a January 2018 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. "I know what she can do."
Eva Marcille's Modeling Career
Following her ANTM win, Eva graced the covers of Brides Noir, Women's Health and Fitness, King, IONA, and Essence, among others. She also appeared in campaigns for CoverGirl, DKNY, Samsung, Avon, and Red by Marc Ecko and graced many a runway stage.
During her first solo scene in RHOA Season 11 Episode 1, she took her family — including her now-estranged husband Michael Sterling, daughter Marley, and newborn son Mikey — to a photoshoot.
RELATED: Sterling Sweeties! Eva Marcille's Children Are Absolutely Adorable
After the family photos were captured, Eva stepped back in front of the camera for some solo shots.
"This smize will never go to waste, honey. She will always be around. She stays booked," she said in a confessional, referencing Tyra's infamous portmanteau for "smile with your eyes."
Eva Marcille's Acting and Reality Television Roles
Outside of RHOA and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, Eva has appeared as herself in a number of reality shows, including Wild 'n Out, The Hills, The Game, Girlfriend Confidential: LA, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and Scared Famous. And her time on the small screen extends to scripted television, too.
Look back a few of Eva's TV acting roles.
Kevin Hill
In her first scripted TV role, Eva played the character Sandra Clark in a 2005 episode of the Taye Diggs-helmed Kevin Hill.
Smallville
She's got the power. In a 2007 episode of Smallville, Eva played Tyler Crenshaw, a thief and queen bee with the ability to control cold and ice.
Everybody Hates Chris
Eva appeared in two 2007 episodes of Everybody Hates Chris as Ms. Crabtree, a teacher so beautiful that Drew's (Tequan Richmond) grades begin to drop because he can't stop staring at her.
Tyler Perry's House of Payne
The first step in her long working relationship with Tyler Perry, Eva was a recurring cast member onTyler Perry's House of Payne from 2007 to 2012 (Seasons 1-2, 5-7, and 10). Her character, Tracie Evans, was the mother of Calvin Payne's (Lance Gross) firstborn son, Calvin Jr.
The Young and the Restless
Eva joined the ranks of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alums Lisa Rinna, Eileen Davidson, and Denise Richards when she became a regular on The Young and the Restless in 2008.
In 2009 and 2010, Eva's work as Tyra Hamilton on the long-running soap opera earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series.
The Assistants
The Assistants — a comedy about Hollywood assistants competing for their eccentric boss's approval — ran for two seasons. Eva played a character named Alicia James on the show in 2009.
Let's Stay Together
Like her former RHOA coworker Kandi Burruss, Eva appeared in one 2011 episode of Let's Stay Together as Raynelle. Named after Al Green's famous tune, the rom-com told the story of a couple figuring out life after their honeymoon stage wore off.
Born Again Virgin
From 2015 to 2016, Eva played Tara, one of the BFFs of main character Jenna (Danielle Nicolet), on the comedy-drama Born Again Virgin.
All the Queen's Men
Eva first found out about Tyler Perry's most recent show — where she's played male strip club owner Marilyn 'Madam' DeVille since 2021 — while shopping for underwear.
"I get a phone call, and it's like, 'Hey, it's Tyler Perry...' I'm like, 'Oh!' So I put the G-string down, because I felt like the phone call and the unmentionables..." she told Entertainment Tonight in September 2021. "It was definitely a backless pair of underwear that I was holding, and Tyler's like, 'Hey, I have an amazing new project, and I think you are perfect for it.'"
Eva Marcille's Hosting Career
Eva also took her competition chops and turned them into a hosting career, running the show on competitions like My Model Looks Better Than Your Model and Rip the Runway.
"I love to work. It is my fuel," Eva told Fox 5 Atlanta's Good Day Atlanta in December 2022 after wrapping up a booked and busy year. "I'm one of those people, it doesn't matter how much money I'll ever acquire, working is my joy."
Eva Marcille's Movie Career
The Walk
Eva's first film role came in 2005 when she was cast in TV movie The Walk. In the movie, she played a woman named Sydney trying to reconnect with her faith.
Premium
Eva played Farrah in the 2006 rom-com, which starred Dorian Missick, Zoe Saldana, and Hill Harper.
Crossover
The 2006 sports film featured an all-star cast including Anthony Mackie and Wayne Brady. Eva played a character named Vanessa, the romantic interest and eventual enemy of Wesley Jonathan's NBA-hopeful character Noah Cruise.
I Think I Love My Wife
Another rom-com in which Eva scored a role, I Think I Love My Wife, was written by Chris Rock and Louis C.K. as a remake of 1972's Love in the Afternoon. It starred Rock, Gina Torres, and Kerry Washington.
Eva Marcille's Christmas Movies
Eva has also starred in a number of holiday movies, including Miss Me This Christmas (2017), Adventures in Christmasing (2021), A Christmas Fumble (2022), and A New Diva’s Christmas Carol (2022).
"I love the holidays, and there's nothing like love — and love in a hopeless place, a forbidden love, a love that was hard to attain, a second chance at love, so I think that's something we can all relate on, no matter what creed, what age," Eva shared in the above ET interview. "Having someone [who] loves you and you love back, someone who is in this world for you too, Christmas encompasses that. I just love it."
