Eva Marcille, born Eva Marcille Pigford on October 30, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, is an accomplished American actress, fashion model, and television personality. She gained widespread recognition after winning the third cycle of "America's Next Top Model" in 2004, which propelled her into a successful career in modeling and acting.

Her middle name, Marcille, is a combination of her grandmothers' names, Marjorie and Lucille. Her parents are both African American, and she grew up in South Central Los Angeles with three brothers.

Eva Marcille attended Raymond Avenue Elementary School, Marina Del Rey Middle School, and Washington Preparatory High School, graduating in 2002. She later enrolled at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia, but left the institution shortly after winning "America's Next Top Model" to pursue her modeling career.

Her modeling career took off when she won the third cycle of "America's Next Top Model," earning a CoverGirl cosmetics contract, a spread in Elle magazine, and a modeling contract with Ford Models. She has appeared on the covers of various magazines, including Women's Health and Fitness, Essence, and Brides Noir.

Transitioning into acting, she secured roles in television series such as "Kevin Hill" and "Smallville." Her portrayal of Tyra Hamilton on the CBS soap opera "The Young and the Restless" from 2008 to 2009 marked a significant milestone in her acting career.

She also starred as Tracie Evans in Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" from 2007 to 2012 and later joined the cast of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" from 2018 to 2021.

Her personal life has garnered public interest over the years. She was previously engaged to actor Lance Gross, but the couple ended their relationship in 2010. She later dated rapper Flo Rida from 2010 to 2012 and has a daughter from her relationship with singer Kevin McCall.

In December 2017, she became engaged to Atlanta-based attorney Michael Sterling, and they married on October 7, 2018. The couple has two sons, born in April 2018 and September 2019. However, Eva and Michael Sterling divorced in 2023.