LisaRaye McCoy

McCoy was born in Chicago, Illinois.[10][11][12][13] McCoy is the daughter of David Ray McCoy (1935–1988), a Chicago businessman,[14] and Katie McCoy,[15] a former professional model. Growing up on the south side of Chicago, McCoy attended St. James College Prep, Kenwood Academy and later Thornridge High School; graduating in 1986.[16] After high school, McCoy attended Eastern Illinois University before pursuing an acting career.[17]

McCoy made her acting debut as the lead in Reasons, an independent film directed by Monty Ross. McCoy is perhaps best known for her role as Diamond in The Players Club, directed and written by Ice Cube.[18] She also appeared in The Wood, opposite Taye Diggs, Rhapsody, All About You, and Go for Broke. In 2003, McCoy starred as Neesee James in the UPN/ The CW sitcom All of Us, where she played Duane Martin's ex-wife. The series ended in 2007.[19] McCoy began her career as a model for fashion, but before that she was married to Archie Amerson. She did shows in churches and high schools in her native Chicago. In addition to acting, McCoy has also appeared in dozens of music videos, including "Know Filter 2" by Shleah, Tugoa, T.Lee, "Download" by Lil' Kim, Changing Faces's "Same Tempo", Ginuwine's "Last Chance", Ludacris' "Number 1 Spot", Calvin Richardson's "True Love," Sisqó's "Incomplete", Lil Jon and Ice Cube's "Roll Call", "I Don't Wanna See" and " I Really Want to Sex Your Body," by Link, Tupac Shakur's "Toss It Up", "Never Be The Same Again" by Ghostface Killah & Carl Thomas, ""Unpredictable" by Jamie Foxx, Ooohhhwwweee" by Master P, "Slip N' Slide by Danny Boy, and "Are You in the Mood" by Teddy & Dru Down. She also had a cameo in Seven's music video "Girls" & Jaheim's music video "Back Tight Wit You"[18][20] McCoy also recorded the single "Would You?" with rapper Benzino.[21] In 2005, McCoy launched two fashion lines: Luxe & Romance, a lingerie line that was introduced during New York's Fashion Week, and Xraye, a jeans line for women.[22] In 2011, she launched her jean collection "The LisaRaye Collection" in partnership with PZI Jeans, and a hair line, "LisaRaye Glamour." That same year, she was the Ambassador/Grand Marshal for the 70th Magic City Classic parade and football game in Birmingham, Alabama.

McCoy has claimed on multiple occasions that she is "queen mother" of Ghana, but the Ghanaian people have repeatedly asserted that this is untrue. Their position is reinforced by the fact that Ghana does not have a national monarchy, but rather has multiple ethnic groups that each have a distinct chieftaincy system. McCoy was given the honorary title of "development chief" by a small village called Agona Kwanyako. This is a title bestowed on an individual who has contributed to a village's development, but does not give any real administrative authority.