Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Kenya Summer Moore is an American actress, model, reality television personality, film & television producer, and author. Moore is best known for winning the 1993 Miss USA contest and finishing in the top five of the Miss Universe pageant the same year.
After becoming a big name on television courtesy of her modeling career, Kenya Moore began appearing in movies and television shows. Some of her notable cinematic credits include the films Waiting to Exhale (1995) and Deliver Us From Eva (2003), as well as the television shows The Steve Harvey Show (1998) and Girlfriends (2004).
More recently, Moore is most noted for starring on the reality television show ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta.’ She was also a cast member of ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ in 2015 and appeared as a contestant on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in 2021, in addition to being an original cast member of ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip’ also in 2021.
Kenya Moore Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Kenya Summer Moore |
| Popular Name: | Kenya Moore |
| Gender: | Female |
| Birth Date: | January 24, 1971 |
| Age: | 52 years |
| Parents: | Ronald Gran and Patricia Moore |
| Siblings: | Ronnie Moore and Tara Moore |
| Birth Place: | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | African-American |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Education: | Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University |
| Marital Status: | Separated; was married to businessman and restaurateur Marc Daly (from 2017 until their separation in 2021) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Children: | Brooklyn Doris Daly |
| Net Worth: | USD 800,000 (as of July 1, 2022) |
| Source of Wealth: | Acting, Modeling, Television Appearance Fees, Film & Television Producing, Writing, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 10″ (1.78 m) |
| Weight: | In kilograms: 83 kg; In pounds: 183 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Kenya Summer Moore was born on January 24, 1971, in Detroit, Michigan, United States, to teenage parents Ronald Gran and Patricia Moore. Her mother abandoned her only three days after her birth. She was subsequently raised by her paternal grandmother Doris Grant and aunt.
Moore graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1989. She later pursued psychology and communication at Wayne State University.
Modeling Career
Kenya Moore started modeling at the age of 14 years. She has modeled for a number of reputable brands during her career, including ‘Ebony,’ ‘Essence,’ ‘Glamor,’ and ‘Seventeen’ magazines.
But as a model, Moore is probably best known for winning the 1993 Miss USA contest. She also placed in the top five of the Miss Universe pageant held that same year.
These achievements made Moore the second black woman to win a Miss USA contest, after Carole Gist. She’s also the first dark-skinned woman to win the same title.
Acting Career
Kenya Moore made her acting debut in a 1994 episode of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ The following year, she landed her debut film role portraying Denise in the movie ‘Waiting to Exhale’ and also appeared in an episode of ‘Soul Train.’
Moore continued to accept several film and television gigs throughout the 90s. Some of her credits during this period include the 1998 movie ‘Senseless’ and the television shows Martin (1995), Smart Guy (1997), The Steve Harvey Show (1998), The Parent ‘Hood (1998 – 1999), and The Jamie Foxx Show (1999).
In 2000, Kenya Moore featured in the film ‘Trois’ and in an episode in the television series ‘Men, Women & Dogs.’ The following year, she appeared in an episode of ‘The Parkers.’
Moore’s next major acting project was in the 2003 Hollywood blockbuster ‘Deliver Us From Eva.’ The same year, she appeared in an episode of the series ‘Girlfriends.’
Here are other major films and television shows that Kenya Moore has featured in as an actress;
Films
• Cloud 9 (2006)
• I Know Who Killed Me (2007)
• Sharknado: The 4th Awakens (2016)
Television Series
• Baisden After Dark (2008)
• Meet the Browns (2009)
• The Millionaire Matchmaker (2015)
• Games People Play (2021)
Reality Television and Production Career
Besides appearing on television as an actress, Kenya Moore has also featured in tons of reality shows as herself. Examples include The Real Housewives of Atlanta (2012 – present), The Celebrity Apprentice (2015), Worst Cooks in America (2016), Family Reunion (2020 – 2021), Dancing with the Stars (2021), and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip (2021).
Kenya has also produced a number of projects, including the film ‘Trapped: Haitian Nights.’
Other Ventures
Kenya Moore has also dabbled in writing and music. Moore authored a how-to guide titled ‘Game, Get Some: What Women Really Want.’ The book was published on November 28, 2007.
In the music industry, the model cum actress is best known for appearing in videos of songs by several artists. Examples include videos to the tracks “Temptations” by 2Pac in 1995, “Street Dreams” by Nas in 1996, and “Money Ain’t a Thang” by Jermaine Dupri and Jay-Z in 1998.
Kenya Moore’s Net Worth
As of July 1, 2022, Kenya Moore had a net worth of $800,000.
Moore’s net worth is a result of her various exploits in the entertainment industry. A huge part of her wealth comes from acting, modeling, and reality television appearance fees. She also makes money off her producing and writing works.
Moore has also involved herself in several businesses. In 2014, the former Miss USA winner unveiled an eponymous hair care products brand.
Kenya Moore earned millions of dollars during the height of her career. However, incessant financial woes are to blame for her continually dwindling fortunes. In June 2013, the RHOA star was evicted from her $4,000 per month mansion in Roswell, Georgia. This was after defaulting on her rent payments for several months.
Lessons from Kenya Moore
1. Start early
Kenya Moore owes her successful modeling career partly to her willingness to start early. Moore began modeling at the tender age of 14 years.
2. Dare to dream
Moore’s journey to winning the 1993 Miss USA title epitomizes a girl who dared to dream big.
3. A huge part of healing from past traumas consists in freely sharing them
Kenya Moore has proven that true healing happens when you freely talk about your past hurts. The model doesn’t shy away from discussing some of the darkest moments in her life, including being neglected by her mother and facing physical abuse from her high school boyfriend.
Famous Quotes by Kenya Moore
I love fashion. But I love it in a different way than most people. I’m not obsessed with it. I’m just obsessed with looking good and wearing clothes that make me feel good.
I think the beauty industry is a stepping stone in terms of pageants that will give you a launching pad to be seen. For people to understand who you are and what you stand for… I think it teaches self-esteem and self-worth. And it also encourages you to have a more philanthropic viewpoint of the world.
People get exhausted, trying to figure me out. And I just let them.
Some people work for a living and some people twerk for a living.
Conclusion
Kenya Moore has been modeling and acting from the early 90s. She may not be a dollar millionaire. But Moore has been a great inspiration to thousands of budding models and actors around the world.
