Kenya Summer Moore (born January 24, 1971) is an American film and television actress.
Moore was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised by her grandmother (and primary inspiration) Doris in Detroit, Michigan. She is of African-American ancestry. Moore is a graduate of Cass Technical High School; whose other notable alumni include Diana Ross, David Alan Grier, Lily Tomlin, and Miss USA 1990 Carole Gist (the first African American to win). After high school, she went to Wayne State University where she majored in Psychology.
Moore competed in numerous beauty pageants in 1993; first becoming Miss Michigan USA, then Miss USA, and then competing in Miss Universe, where she finished fifth. At Miss Universe 1993, Kenya was heavily booed.This was attributed to strained political relations between Mexico and the United States (the pageant was held in Mexico.) Another reason was Kenya's entry into the top 10, while Miss Mexico 1993 failed to make the cut. It gained attention again in 2007 when Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith was booed at Miss Universe also held in Mexico.
She is recognizable for her roles in movies such as Waiting to Exhale, and guest appearance roles in notable sitcoms such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, and The Steve Harvey Show. However, one of her best acting roles came in the independent film Trois which also starred Gretchen Palmer and Gary Dourdan.
She founded the Kenya Moore foundation which awards scholarships to under-privileged girls from her high school alma-mater.
Miss Michigan 1993
Miss USA 1993
She was raised by her grandmother Doris. Her grandmother is also her primary inspiration in life.
Hobbies include singing and dancing.
Is of African and Native American ancestry.
Was 4th place in Miss Universe 1993
Was a psychology major at Wayne State University
Founder of the Kenya Moore foundation which awards scholarships to under-privileged girls from her high school alma-mater
A graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. Alumni include Diana Ross, David Allen Greer, Lily Tomlin and Ed Gordon.
