Rebecca da Costa (born May 9, 1984) is a Brazilian actress and model.

Rebecca da Costa
Born (1984-05-09) 9 May 1984 (age 40)
Occupation(s)Actress, model
Years active2009-present
Modeling information
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Hair colorBrown
Eye colorBrown

Early life and modelling career

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Da Costa was born in Recife, capital of Pernambuco. She was educated at the Colégio Rui Barbosa,[1] where she directed, wrote and starred in amateur theatrical productions.[1][2][3] Of her physique she said, "Until I was 17 I thought I was ugly. I was very tall. At 13, I was 5'11″. I come from a part in Brazil where the average height for women is 5'3″. It wasn't fun at all to be the tallest one in school."[4] Aged 14 she won a modeling contest in Recife and says, "It was amazing to see other girls like me—skinny, tall, different. That's when I started to get comfortable in my own skin, and by 17 I started to find my identity."[4] At 14[2] she left home for São Paulo[3] when she was taken on by Elite Model Management[5] and began a ten-year modelling career. She is 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) tall.[3] At age 16 she was invited to work at the Milan Fashion Week[2][3] and moved to Italy, working for Yves Saint Laurent, Moschino, Armani, Diesel, DKNY, Missoni, Hugo Boss and Escada,[1] and was the face of campaigns for Swarovski,[1] Nokia, L'Oreal, Chopard[2] and Kellogg's.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Notes
2010 Trick of the Witch Anabella
Treasure of the Black Jaguar Waitress
2011 L.A., I Hate You Natasha
Freerunner Chelsea
2012 Mine Games Rose
Seven Below Courtney
2013 Breaking at the Edge Bianca Wood
2014 The Bag Man Rivka

Television

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TV series

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Acting career

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In 2008, Da Costa gave up modelling and moved to the United States to pursue an acting career.[2] She enrolled at the HB Studio in New York City and made her theater debut alongside Brad Garrett, in stand-up comedy.[citation needed]

In 2009, she made her television debut in an episode of the American HBO series Entourage.[2] In 2010 she gained a role in the film Trick of the Witch, directed by Chris Morrissey. Her first lead film role was in 2011 in the independent L.A. I Hate You,[2] starring Malcolm McDowell and William Forsythe,[5] and later that year she starred in Freerunner alongside Sean Faris. In 2012, she played in the film Seven Below, co-starring with Val Kilmer and Ving Rhames, and in 2013 appeared in Mine Games.[2]

The Bag Man

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In 2014, Da Costa played in The Bag Man, "a modern day film noir shot in New Orleans",[1] as a femme fatale who becomes involved in a story of crime and suspense.[2] She co-starred with John Cusack and Robert De Niro. The film premiered on February 28, 2014, in New York and Los Angeles.

Breaking at the Edge

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In late 2014 Da Costa was the lead role in Breaking at the Edge as a manic–depressive pregnant woman who fears for her unborn child's life. The film also features Milo Ventimiglia and Andie MacDowell.[citation needed] She said that preparing for the role she "talked to many psychiatrists. I didn't want to look like I was trying to play crazy."[4]

Philanthropy

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From her home in Los Angeles, Da Costa works with Kids with Autism and Common Ground HIV.[2]

Personal life

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Da Costa has two brothers. Her father died in 2013.[3] She is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and English. She enjoys dancing, reading, cooking Brazilian dishes and writing.[2][3][1] She was in a relationship for many years but broke up in 2013.[3] Da Costa regularly practices Transcendental Meditation[2] and says, "It has been a gift to me."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Fontana, Christine (3 March 2014). "Rebecca Da Costa: Lovely Leading Lady". New Orleans Living. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Williams, Kam. "From the Runway to the Red Carpet!". Pittsburgh Urban Media. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Parker, Melissa (11 February 2014). "Rebecca Da Costa Interview: Breakout Actress Stars Alongside Robert De Niro and John Cusack in Noir-Like Thriller The Bag Man". Smashing Interviews Magazine. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b c Olds, Dorri. "Exclusive Interview". The Blot. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b McGrath, Lisa. "Rebecca Da Costa: Getting To Know The Star Of 'Motel' And 'Breaking At The Edge'". Star Pulse. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
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