Melyssa Ford
Quick Facts
Biography
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.She is often referred to as Jessica Rabbit, an animated character whose sensuous figure Ford's is said to resemble.
Entertainment career
In the late 1990s, music video director Little X discovered Ford while she was working as a bartender at a Toronto nightclub and helped launch her modelling career. She has appeared in music videos, men's magazines, television programs and films. Ford was an on-air personality for Sirius Satellite Radio's Hot Jamz channel. She sells a line of calendars and DVD.
In a 2008 CNN interview, Ford said 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".
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.
In 2016, Ford became a co-host of Hollywood Unlocked, a 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. 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. In November 2019, Ford launched a podcast on YouTube called I'm Here for the Food.The podcast featured a host of guests and covered a range of topics, including colorism, human trafficking, and forgiveness.The podcast last aired in November 2020.
Personal life
Her father is Barbadian(Afro-Caribbean) and her mother is of Ukrainian and Scottish descent.
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 | ||
| 2009 | Good Hair | Herself | Documentary |
| 2011 | The Slap | Puma | Short |
| Video Girl | Lala | ||
| Bowl of Dreams | Herself | Documentary | |
| 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 | TV Series |
| 2005 | VH1 News Presents | Herself | Episode: "Hip Hop Videos: Sexploitation on the Set" |
| 2007 | Entourage | Flight Attendant | Episode: "No Cannes Do" |
| 2008 | Byte Me: 20 Hottest Women of the Web | Herself | TV Special |
| The Black Poker Stars Invitational | Herself | Main Cast | |
| 2009 | Played by Fame | Herself | Episode: "Sexy, Sensual and Stalker" |
| 2014-15 | Blood, Sweat & Heels | Herself | Main Cast |
| 2019 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | Herself | Episode: "Pretty Petty" & "Sound Off" |
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) |
