Actress Yaya DaCosta to Host Summer Sizzle, BVI
Yaya DaCosta, model and a star of Netflix’s popular legal drama, The Lincoln Lawyer, is hosting the BVI’s Summer Sizzle Global Runway fashion show. The glittering annual event will be held this year from July 24th to the 29th.
Yaya is delighted to be coming to the BVI, declaring: “Although I grew up spending Summers in the U.S. Virgin Islands, this will be my first time visiting the British Virgin Islands! Hosting the Summer Sizzle BVI 2024 Global Glamour Runway Show speaks to two prominent yet different aspects of my personality: the one who loves luxury and high fashion, and the one who loves leisure and high tides.” Yaya DaCosta, Actress and Model.”
The atmosphere is electric for this week-long event, which brings celebrities, influencers and international models to the BVI for a week of top international fashion. It is an opportunity for BVI residents and visitors to dress to the nines: women in stiletto heels and slinky and sparkly dresses; men in suits and tuxes, both outrageous and elegant.
Yaya Dacosta, who has appeared in numerous American TV shows and films will be the emcee for the Global Glamour Runway Show held on Saturday, July 27th. A native of New York City, she caught the acting bug in high school where she appeared in several productions. She continued to act in school productions at Brown University in Rhode Island where she graduated with degrees in Africana Studies and International Relations. Yaya considered going to law school, but show biz won out when she became the runner-up in America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 3).
Yaya’s professional acting career was launched with the film, Take the Lead, and in 2008, she made her Off-Broadway debut in The First Breeze of Summer at The Signature Theater. The role not only earned her top reviews she won the Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Award for Excellence in Black Theater.
Among other prominent film roles, she played Danny Glover’s teenage daughter in John Sayles’ Honeydripper, and was Mark Ruffalo’s lover in The Kids Are All Right. Notably, she portrayed Whitney Houston in the biopic, Whitney.
Most recently the actress, who had considered a career as a lawyer, got to portray one in season 2 of the top rated Netflix series, The Lincoln Lawyer. In the show, she portrays Andrea Freeman, a formidable prosecutor who takes on high powered defense attorney Mickey Haller in a notorious murder case.
“I was introduced to Yaya last September during New York Fashion Week by Ashunta Sheriff, Celebrity Makeup Artist, and was able to speak to her about Summer Sizzle BVI, and she was very excited and interested,” explained Terry Donovan, Summer Sizzle’s full-on creator. For Terry, who was born and grew up in the BVI but now lives in New York City, pairing a high-powered New York-style fashion event with the tropical beauty of the BVI seems a natural combination. A merchandising director, Terry has worked for such top fashion brands as Calvin Klein, DKNY and Karl Lagerfeld, a career that has given him a strong background in fashion and event production.
In a quote on her IMDB page, Yaya says: “Happiness is the bomb cosmetic! When I’m smiling, sometimes I’m giving thanks for all the things I have rather than worrying about the things I don’t.” At Summer Sizzle, audience members should expect to see more of Yaya’s radiant and positive personality.
Schedule of Summer Sizzle Activities
What else is happening at the show? Here is a rundown:
Cape Air Dress to Impress Contest
Three best-dressed female and male audience members will be selected by a judging panel and will face off on the runway. The male and female winners will be determined by the crowd applause, with each receiving a roundtrip ticket on Cape Air to anywhere the airline flies.
When Art Meets Fashion Gala: Wednesday, July 24 to Friday, July 26
The event will provide a platform for local artists to showcase their work at Long Bay Beach Resort, where works will be on display. The artists will also have an opportunity to display at the Global Glamour Runway Show on Saturday July 27 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.
Interested artists should contact: Juliana Georges – (284)345-2064.
Welcome Culture and Style Party: Thursday, July 25:
A Taste of BVI at Prime Restaurant, Road Town.
Dress Attire – Lime Green
Beauty Trends Event: Friday July 26
Skilled Hair and Makeup Artists are to be part of a distinguished beauty team, offering an unparalleled experience to learn from and collaborate with leading figures in the beauty industry.
Exclusive Masterclass: Friday, July 26
Seize the opportunity to attend a Masterclass led by the esteemed Emmy-nominated celebrity makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur, Ashunta Sheriff, alongside Tippi Shorter, a celebrity hairstylist and Mizani Global Artistic Director. Gain insights and learn techniques directly from industry pioneers.
The Runway: Saturday, July 27
The highly anticipated Global Glamour Runway Show is the weekend’s highlight providing a leading platform for emerging and international designers to showcase Summer and Resort Collections ranging from Designer Ready-to-Wear to Evening Wear for both men and women.
The designer line-up includes Sergio Hudson; Irina Shabayeva, Project Runway Season Sixth Winner; Coral Castillo, Project Runway Star from Season 19; GRAY; A. Potts; Aqua Couture by Cesar Galindo; NAMARA, Andrew Nowell; David Antonio; Jaer Caban; and BVI brands including, The Islander Swim Collection by Andrea Wilson, and BVI’s own Audrey Blake and Morgan Creque with their debut collection.
The show will be styled by Memsor Kamarake, Celebrity Stylist and the always dazzling Children’s Presentation will be in partnership with “Who’s Styling Who”, Khaliah Clark, Celebrity Stylist.
Global Runway Elevated VIP Experience
Summer Sizzle is creating a VIP Premium Seating Area where guests can sit in the VIP Lounge for the Cocktail Reception from 6:00PM – 7:30PM and view the show with cocktails, wine and hors d’oeuvres.
VIP Front Row and VIP Second Row tickets will include the Cocktail Reception and our Custom SSBVI Island Print tote.
After Party: Saturday Night
Moonstone Night Club
SUNDAY, JULY 28:
Sailing Excursion & Beach Party on Virgin Gorda
For more information on Summer Sizzle including purchasing tickets go to
To read about the 2023 show go to:
