Melyssa Ford
Melyssa Savannah Ford (born November 7, 1976) is a Canadian media personality, actress, and former video vixen. She attended York University and studied in the field of forensic psychology.[2][1][3]
Melyssa Ford | |
|---|---|
 Ford in March 2005 | |
| Born | November 7, 1976 |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[1] |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Light brown |
Entertainment career
In the late 1990s, music video director Little X discovered Ford, who is in her early 20s, while she was working as a bartender at a Toronto nightclub and helped launch her modelling career.[4] She has appeared in music videos, men's magazines, television programs and films.[1] Ford was an on-air personality for Sirius Satellite Radio's Hot Jamz channel.[5] She sells a line of calendars and a DVD.[6]
In a 2008 CNN interview, Ford explained that when making music videos she often asked herself whether she was "perpetuating a negative stereotype" about black women. When she was asked whether music videos, overall, are "demeaning to women", Ford replied, "Yes, I definitely have to say that".[2]
From June 2014 to January 2015, Ford participated in the Bravo Network television series Blood, Sweat & Heels, documenting her social life against the background of her struggles of becoming a realtor in New York.[7]
In 2016, Ford became a co-host of Hollywood Unlocked, a Los Angeles-based hip-hop and pop culture radio show. In June 2018, Ford was seriously injured in a car crash involving an 18-wheeler truck. She suffered a skull fracture and concussion.[8] Ford returned to the show in April 2019 following her accident. On August 24, 2020, Ford announced she would no longer be co-hosting Hollywood Unlocked.[9] In November 2019, Ford launched a podcast on YouTube called I'm Here for the Food[10]. The podcast featured a host of guests and covered a range of topics, including colourism, human trafficking, and forgiveness. The podcast last aired in November 2020.
After several years in Los Angeles, Ford moved back to the New York/New Jersey area in 2023, becoming a co-host on The Joe Budden Podcast.
Personal life
Ford is of mixed-race. Her father has roots in Barbados and her mother is of Norwegian and Russian descent.[11]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Turn It Up | Deborah | |
| 2004 | Psyche | Kenya | Short |
| 2007 | God's Prayer | Dr. Jasmine Gray | |
| Three Can Play That Game | Candy | ||
| 2008 | Love for Sale | Katherine | |
| Days of Wrath | Lisa | ||
| 2011 | The Slap | Puma | Short |
| Video Girl | Lala | ||
| 2012 | Think like a Man | Sleepy Girl | |
| Redemption of a Dog | Sheila | ||
| 2013 | Playin' for Love | Bella | |
| 2018 | The Stuff | Denise Washington |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Soul Food | Hoochie Mama | 2 episodes |
| 2004-06 | BET Style | Herself/Host | Main Host |
| 2005 | VH1 News Presents | Herself | Episode: "Hip Hop Videos: Sexploitation on the Set" |
| 2007 | Entourage | Flight Attendant | Episode: "No Cannes Do" |
| 2008 | The Black Poker Stars Invitational | Herself | Main Guest |
| 2009 | Played by Fame | Herself | Episode: "Sexy, Sensual and Stalker" |
| 2014-15 | Blood, Sweat & Heels | Herself | Main Cast |
| 2018 | Vixen | Herself | Main Guest |
| 2019 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | Herself | Episode: "Pretty Petty" & "Sound Off" |
| 2020-21 | Tough Love: Los Angeles | Dena Howard | Recurring Cast |
Documentary
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Good Hair |
| 2011 | Bowl of Dreams |
Music videos
| Year | Song | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "The Thing to Do" | Glenn Lewis |
| 1998 | "Anywhere" | 112 featuring Lil' Zane |
| "Northern Touch" | Rascalz featuring Checkmate, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust and Choclair | |
| "Bout Your Love" | Glenn Lewis | |
| 1999 | "Let's Ride" | Choclair |
| "This Luv" | Donell Jones | |
| 2000 | "Big Pimpin'" | Jay-Z featuring UGK |
| "Thong Song Remix" | Sisqó | |
| "Cherchez LaGhost" | Ghostface Killah featuring U-God | |
| "Shake Ya Ass" | Mystikal | |
| 2001 | "Knock Yourself Out" | Jadakiss |
| 2003 | "You Don't Know My Name" | Alicia Keys |
| 2004 | "Happy People" | R. Kelly |
| "Yeah!" | Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Def Jam Icon" | Platinum (voice) |
See also
References
- Century, Douglas (May 2, 2004). "How to Succeed in Videos Without Really Dancing". The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- "Black in America: Video Vixens Too Revealing?". CNN. July 24, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- Ogunnaike, Lola (August 31, 2004). "New Magazines for Black Men Proudly Redefine the Pinup". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
- "Melyssa Ford". Vibe. September 2008. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
- "Hot Jamz". Sirius Satellite Radio. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
Hot Jamz is about to get a lot hotter: Melyssa Ford has joined our squad!
- Ford. "Calendar Girl". Naked. pp. 219–220.
- Settembre, Jeanette (December 31, 2013). "'Blood, Sweat and Heels' Follows Six Black New York City Women on the Rise". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
- "Former Bravo Star Melyssa Ford Seriously Injured in Horrific Crash with 18-Wheeler Truck".
- "Melyssa Ford Returns to Discuss Grief & Say Goodbye to Hollywood Unlocked [UNCENSORED]". YouTube.
- "I'm Here For The Food - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
- "Melyssa Ford Biography". IMDb. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
External links
- Melyssa Ford at IMDb
- Melyssa Ford on Twitter