Garcelle Beauvais

Early life

Beauvais was born in Saint-Marc, Haiti and when she was 7 she moved with her mother and six older siblings to the United States and they settled in Peabody, Massachusetts, where she enrolled in elementary school. Upon her arrival to the United States, Beauvais originally only spoke French and Creole, but learned English from watching Sesame Street on television.

Career

Modelling

Beauvais moved to Miami at 16 to pursue a career in modeling. After driving down from Massachusetts, Beauvais hoped to interview for a modelling agency without an appointment. She was approached at a red light while putting on lipstick by the very owner of the agency she sought to see. After modeling with this agency for about a year, Beauvais, at 17, went to New York City to pursue a career as a fashion model, after signing with the Ford Modeling Agency. She lived with Eileen Ford and later modeled with Irene Marie Models. She modeled print ads for Avon, Mary Kay, and Clairol and in catalogs for Lerner New York Clothing Line, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom and walked the runway for Calvin Klein and Isaac Mizrahi and also shot TV commercials for Burdines.

Magazine covers

Beauvais has appeared on the covers of numerous luxury lifestyle and fashion magazines such as CVLUX, Harper's Bazaar, Sheen Magazine, People's Health issue, VIVmag, Essence, Ebony, Jet, Playboy, Vibe and Hype Hair. In 2017, she was featured on five different magazine covers. In June 2019, she appeared in an editorial for Vogue Italia.[[File:Garcelle Beauvais at Heart Truth 2011.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Beauvais walking the runway at 2011 [[The Heart Truth]] fashion show in New York City]]

Film and television

In 1984, she made her first television appearance in the crime drama series Miami Vice, in the episode "Give a Little, Take a Little". Beauvais portrayed a rose-bearer in the romantic comedy film Coming to America (1988) at age 21. In 1994, she rose to prominence as an actress for her portrayal of Cynthia Nichols in Aaron Spelling's prime time soap opera Models Inc. From 1996 to 2001, she co-starred in The Jamie Foxx Show as hotel employee Francesca "Fancy" Monroe and the love interest of Jamie Foxx's character, Jamie King.

From 2001 to 2004, she played Assistant District Attorney Valerie Heywood and the love interest of Detective Baldwin Jones, played by Henry Simmons, on NYPD Blue. In 2011 and 2012, Beauvais played Hanna Linden on the TNT law drama Franklin & Bash. In 2013, Beauvais portrayed the First Lady opposite Foxx as the President in the action thriller film White House Down. In 2017, she played the role of Doris Toomes, wife of Michael Keaton's character, Adrian Toomes, in Spider-Man: Homecoming. She starred in R. Kelly's music video for "Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)", as the wife of Ronald Isley and the lover of R. Kelly, delivering the title line as inducement for an affair. In 2001, after the Jamie Foxx Show ended its run, Beauvais appeared in Luther Vandross' music video, "Take You Out," playing Vandross' girlfriend. She also appeared on some episodes of Grimm as Henrietta. In 2016, Beauvais was named as one of the co-hosts of the syndicated infotainment discussion series Hollywood Today Live, after a month-long period of guest hosting the show.

Beauvais recurred as Veronica Garland, the Wicked Stepmother character from Cinderella, on the second season of the web television series Tell Me a Story. She also portrayed Dennis Quaid's love interest in the web television series Merry Happy Whatever. Beauvais joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as the series' first black cast member during its tenth season, which premiered in April 2020. She began co-hosting the daytime talk show The Real for its seventh season in September 2020. Beauvais reprised her role as a rose bearer in the sequel to the romantic comedy film Coming to America, titled Coming 2 America.

In 2022, Beauvais signed a first-look development deal with NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, via her production company Garcelle Beauvais Productions. That same year, she was cast in the Hulu mystery thriller series The Other Black Girl, a television adaptation of the 2021 novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris. In addition, she starred in TV movies Caught in His Web and Black Girl Missing on Lifetime. In April 2024, Deadline announced that Beauvais will be executive producing three original films for Lifetime channel, saying: "I am so excited and grateful to continue my relationship with Lifetime because they immediately understood the importance of creating this new franchise with the Black Girl Missing movies. Having a network that stands by you and supports your mission gives me hope in humanity."

On August 4, 2024, Beauvais and Keltie Knight hosted the Miss USA 2024 beauty pageant.

In March 2025, Beauvais announced her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, after five seasons.

Other ventures

In 2008, Beauvais launched a children's jewelry line called Petit Bijou. In 2013, she published a children's book titled I Am Mixed, which tells the story of twins exploring "the thoughts and emotions of being of mixed ethnicities." She hosts the weekly late-night talk show podcast Going to Bed with Garcelle, in which she discusses dating, sex, and relationships with guests.

Her memoir, Love Me As I Am: My Journey from Haiti to Hollywood to Happiness, co-written with Nicole E. Smith, was published by Amistad on April 12, 2022.

Interior design

On July 13, 2022, Beauvais launched a home collection, "Garcelle at Home" on HSN. The collection, inspired by her Haitian heritage, includes comforter sets, lamps, pillows, doormats and other accessories.

Personal life

She was married to producer Daniel Saunders; their marriage ended in divorce. They have a son, Oliver Saunders, born in 1991. Beauvais married Mike Nilon, a talent agent with Creative Artists Agency, in May 2001. Their twin sons, Jax Joseph and Jaid Thomas Nilon, were born on October 18, 2007. They had dealt with treatment over five years for infertility. In April 2010, Beauvais publicly accused Nilon of infidelity after he admitted he had been having an affair for five years. Beauvais filed for divorce on May 10, 2010, seeking joint custody of their sons. January 25, 2026, Beauvais experienced an LAPD swatting at her home in Los Angeles, and discussed it on 'Good Morning America', on January 30, 2026.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Awards and nominations

Bibliography

• Beauvais, Garcelle. Love Me As I Am: My Journey from Haiti to Hollywood to Happiness. Amistad (2022)

References

References

1. "Garcelle Beauvais". [[TV Guide.
2. (2022-04-22). "'My Dad Left When I Was 3': Garcelle Beauvais Opens Up About Childhood".
3. (March 13, 2015). "Model/Actress Garcelle Beauvais". Tokyo Journal.
4. (March 18, 2020). "Garcelle Beauvais". [[Bravo (American TV network).
5. (August 30, 2019). "Everything to Know About Garcelle Beauvais, RHOBH's Famous New Housewife". Yahoo! Entertainment.
6. (July 2, 2020). "Garcelle Beauvais Shines in Shades of Pink for a Glamorous New Magazine Cover". [[Bravo (American TV network).
7. "Garcelle Beauvais".
8. Magazine, Sheen. (2020-10-23). "ACTRESS & TV PERSONALITY, GARCELLE BEAUVAIS GRACES THE COVER OF SHEEN MAGAZINE".
9. "Garcelle Beauvais Opens Up About Her Ongoing Eczema Battle: 'I Wanted to Crawl Out of My Skin'".
10. Beauvais, Garcelle. "Twitter update".
11. [http://www.blackcelebkids.com/2008/11/17/garcelle-beauvais-nilon-and-her-petit-bijoux/ "Garcelle Beauvais Nilon and Her Petit Bijoux"] {{Webarchive. link. (February 5, 2009 , blackcelebkids.com, November 17, 2008.)
12. (March 3, 2020). "Garcelle Beauvais' Most Unforgettable Magazine Covers".
13. "Twitter update".
14. (June 20, 2018). "'Coming to America' turns 30: Creators break down the film's most iconic scenes". [[ABC News (United States).
15. (October 2020). "Garcelle Beauvais reveals intimate details about friendship with Jamie Foxx".
16. (June 26, 2013). "'White House Down' First Lady Garcelle Beauvais Signs on to Indie Film 'Loose' (Exclusive)".
17. (July 18, 2017). "Your guide to the familiar faces of 'Spider-Man: Homecoming': A dream team from indie movies and TV". [[Los Angeles Times]].
18. [http://ca.askmen.com/women/actress_60/85c_garcelle_beauvais.html Garcelle Beauvais pics] {{webarchive. link. (January 28, 2007 , AskMen.com)
19. Wagmeister, Elizabeth. (February 2, 2016). "TV News Roundup: 'Hollywood Today Live' Renewed, Garcelle Beauvais Named Co-Host". [[Variety (magazine).
20. (August 28, 2019). "'Tell Me a Story': Garcelle Beauvais to Recur in Season 2 of CBS All Access Series".
21. (November 28, 2019). "'Merry Happy Whatever': TV Review".
22. (April 6, 2020). "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 10 Taglines Revealed". [[People (magazine).
23. (July 8, 2020). "Garcelle Beauvais Says Her White Counterparts Get Paid More Despite Her 20-Year Hollywood Career". [[Variety (magazine).
24. (August 24, 2020). "Garcelle Beauvais Joins 'The Real' as Co-Host". [[Variety (magazine).
25. (August 22, 2019). "Nomzamo Mbatha and Garcelle Beauvais Join Eddie Murphy in 'Coming 2 America' (Exclusive)".
26. White, Peter. (February 14, 2022). "'The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills' Star Garcelle Beauvais Strikes First-Look Deal With NBCUniversal".
27. Rice, Lynette. (December 13, 2022). "'The Other Black Girl': Garcelle Beauvais Joins Hulu Original Series".
28. Cordero, Rosy. (2024-04-18). "Garcelle Beauvais To EP Three New Lifetime Original Movies Including 'Terry McMillian Presents' Title".
29. Vulpo, Mike. (2024-07-29). "Meet the Hosts and Judges for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA 2024".
30. Teti, Julia. (2024-08-05). "Miss USA 2024 Hosts Keltie Knight and Garcelle Beauvais Bring Sheer Dressing and Old Hollywood Glamour, Patrick Starrr Goes for Gold".
31. (March 25, 2025). "Garcelle Beauvais to Depart RHOBH After Season 14: "It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later"".
32. (August 5, 2013). "Garcelle Beauvais' Children's Book, 'I Am Mixed,' Teaches Kids About Diversity". [[HuffPost]].
33. (April 27, 2020). "Garcelle Beauvais To Host 'Going To Bed With Garcelle' Late-Night Talk Show Podcast For MGM".
34. Beauvais, Garcelle. (2022-04-12). "Love Me as I Am". Amistad.
35. Macke, Johnni. (2022-04-12). "Garcelle Beauvais' Book: Biggest 'RHOBH' Revelations, Divorce Details, More".
36. "LOVE ME AS I AM {{!}} Kirkus Reviews".
37. (2022-07-13). "Shop Garcelle Beauvais' New Home Decor Line to Bring Tropical Vibes to Your Home All Year Round".
38. "Garcelle Beauvais just launched her new Garcelle at Home line—shop the collection at HSN".
39. . (July 5, 2013). ["Celebrity Pregnancies"](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/pictures/celebrity-pregnancies-2012232/21251/). *[[Us Weekly]]*.
40. Beauvais, Garcelle. (June 19, 2012). "Garcelle Beauvais's Blog: Meet Me and My Boys!". [[People (magazine).
41. (October 22, 2007). "Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon Welcomes Twins". [[People (magazine).
42. (January 21, 2008). "A Double Blessing". [[People (magazine).
43. . (April 9, 2010). ["Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon Accuses Husband of Cheating in Mass Email"](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/garcelle-beauvais-nilon-accuses-husband-of-cheating-in-angry-mass-email-201094/). *[[Us Weekly]]*.
44. (April 9, 2010). "NYPD Blue's Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon: "My Focus Is on My Kids & Healing the Pain"". [[E! News]].
45. (June 2, 2010). "Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon Files for Divorce". [[People (magazine).
46. Garner, Glenn. (2026-01-30). "Garcelle Beauvais Details LAPD Swatting Incident: “Scariest Thing I’ve Ever Gone Through”".
47. News, A. B. C.. "Garcelle Beauvais says LAPD storming home in swatting incident was 'scariest thing I've ever gone through'".
48. Shields, Judy. (2019-10-25). "Los Angeles Mission Gala Honors Kevin and Eniko Hart, Garcelle Beauvais {{!}} The Hollywood Times".
49. (2021-10-27). "Garcelle Beauvais Just Celebrated a Major Achievement with Sutton Stracke By Her Side".
50. (2022-12-07). "See the RHOBH Cast Stun at the 2022 People's Choice Awards in Stylish Looks".
51. "See the full list of winners from the People's Choice Awards".
52. (2022-08-29). "TV Scoop Awards 2022: The Full List of Winners".
53. (2022-08-20). "Garcelle Beauvais Is Understandably "Really, Really Excited" About Her TV Scoop Awards Nomination".
54. "2022 Rockie Awards - Banff World Media Festival".
55. "Banff Rockies Gala to honor Alanis Obomsawin, Garcelle Beauvais, World of Wonder founders".
56. (2024-01-11). "2024 People's Choice Awards: Complete List of Nominees".