Print and commercial model, jewelry designer, and screen Actress, her career has been managed by Wilhelmina Models in New York and by the NTA Talent Agency in Los Angeles.
She briefly studied at Minnesota's Normandale College, dropping out to pursue her modeling career.
She participated in the 2010 "She Wears Your Tee" campaign. She was in the music video for Trey Songz' "Slow Motion."
She was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to a family of mixed Native American, African American, German, Russian, and Irish descent.
Her fashion line Lace by Tanaya has been worn by such celebrities as Tyra Banks and Beyonce.
