Tameka Jacobs
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Tameka Jacobs (born October 29, 1979 in French Camp, California) is an American fashion model, spokesmodel, dancer, radio news reporter and actress. She is currently the model who holds case #21 on the hit US television game show Deal or No Deal.
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[edit] Childhood
In 1983, when Tameka was around three years old, she was at the center of a highly publicized child custody case in Stockton, California. [1]She had been living in the foster care of Mary Brown from the time she was four months-old, but when Ms. Brown attempted to adopt her three-and-a-half years later San Joaquin County officials ruled that she would be better off in the care of African-American parents, since Tameka was half black, half white.
Ms. Brown said, "This child has been with me 3 1/2 years, I'm the one she said Momma to, I sat up when she was having her teeth, she walked to me first, they can't do this to children."
The case went all the way to the California Supreme Court who eventually ruled against Brown. Tameka was moved into another foster home, and later adopted by a San Francisco Bay Area family.
During most of her adolescence she took dance lessons in tap, jazz and ballet. She later studied acting, modeling and public speaking.
[edit] Career
While living in the Bay Area, Tameka became the morning news and traffic reporter for San Francisco's radio station KYLD 94.9.
In 2003, Tameka met her birth mother and two sisters on The Montel Williams Show. It was that appearance that inspired her to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in modeling and entertainment. Since relocating she has worked with such people as Tyra Banks, Iman, Ananda Lewis and appeared in an early campaign for the Apple iPod.
She is currently modeling, doing work in music videos and carrying case number 21 on Deal or No Deal.
"The whole suitcase thing kinda makes me feel like a Bond girl," she admits. "I'm hoping to stay 21. It's kind of like your football number. It's almost offensive when people ask you to change.” [2]
She hopes to one day host her own show on MTV. During her time off she often mentors girls and young women awaiting adoption.
[edit] Filmography
- Partners (2005) (Beth)
[edit] References
- ^ KCRA 3 News Tameka Jacobs' Case Made Headlines In 1983 Accessed January 16, 2007
- ^ New York Daily News Sexing up the game show Accessed January 16, 2007
