Melyssa Ford

Early life Melyssa Savannah Ford was born on November 7, 1976, in Toronto, Ontario. Ford is mixed race, with her father having roots in Barbados, and her mother having Norwegian and Russian ancestry.

She attended York University, majoring in the field of forensic psychology. She formerly sold a line of calendars and a DVD.

In a 2008 CNN interview, Ford explained that when making music videos she often asked herself whether she was "perpetuating a negative stereotype" about black women. When she was asked whether music videos, overall, are "demeaning to women", Ford replied, "Yes, I definitely have to say that".

In 2016, Ford became a co-host of Hollywood Unlocked, a Los Angeles-based hip-hop and pop culture radio show. Ford returned to the show in April 2019 following her car accident in June 2018. In November 2019, Ford launched a podcast on YouTube called I'm Here for the Food. The podcast featured a host of guests and covered a range of topics, including colourism, human trafficking, and forgiveness. The podcast last aired in November 2020. On August 24, 2020, Ford announced she would no longer be co-hosting Hollywood Unlocked.

In 2022, after several years in Los Angeles, Ford moved back to the New York metropolitan area, and from December 2022 to September 2025, she co-hosted The Joe Budden Podcast alongside broadcaster and former rapper Joe Budden. On November 1, 2024, Ford premiered a new podcast called Hot and Bothered with Melyssa Ford focused on wellness and lifestyle practices for women over 40.

In 2025, Ford was mentioned in the song 'Gimme a Hug' by Drake, featured on his album Some Sexy Songs 4 U.

Personal life In June 2018, Ford was seriously injured in a car crash involving an 18-wheeler truck. She suffered a skull fracture and concussion.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2000 Turn It Up Deborah 2004 Psyche Kenya Short film 2007 God's Prayer Dr. Jasmine Gray Three Can Play That Game Candy 2008 Love for Sale Katherine Days of Wrath Lisa 2011 The Slap Puma Short film Video Girl Lala 2012 Think like a Man Sleepy Girl Redemption of a Dog Sheila 2013 Playin' for Love Bella 2018 The Stuff Denise Washington 2023 Sworn Justice: Taken Before Christmas Letitia TV movie 2024 Hunting Housewives Sharell Bouvier TV movie

Television Year Title Role Notes 2000 Soul Food Hoochie Mama 2 episodes 2003 Platinum Grady's Love Interest 4 episodes BET Style Herself/Host Main Host 2005 VH1 News Presents Herself Episode: "Hip Hop Videos: Sexploitation on the Set" 2007 Entourage Flight Attendant Episode: "No Cannes Do" 2008 The Black Poker Stars Invitational Herself Main Guest 2009 Played by Fame Herself Episode: "Sexy, Sensual and Stalker" 2014–2015 Blood, Sweat & Heels Herself Main cast 2018 Vixen Herself Main Guest 2019 Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood Herself Episode: "Pretty Petty" & "Sound Off" 2020–2021 Tough Love: Los Angeles Dena Howard Recurring cast

Documentary Year Title Notes 2009 Good Hair 2011 Bowl of Dreams

Music videos Year Song Artist 1997 "The Thing to Do" Glenn Lewis 1998 "Anywhere" 112 featuring Lil' Zane "Northern Touch" Rascalz featuring Checkmate, Kardinal Offishall, Thrust, and Choclair "Tommy's Theme" Made Men featuring The LOX 1999 "Let's Ride" Choclair "This Luv" Donell Jones 2000 "Big Pimpin'" Jay-Z featuring UGK "Thong Song Remix" Sisqó "Cherchez LaGhost" Ghostface Killah featuring U-God "Shake Ya Ass" Mystikal 2001 "Knock Yourself Out" Jadakiss 2003 "You Don't Know My Name" Alicia Keys 2004 "Happy People" R. Kelly "Yeah!" Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2007 Def Jam: Icon Herself Voice role and likeness