YaYa DaCosta Cast on Ugly Betty!!!

Former AMCer and America's Next Top Model runner up, YaYa DaCosta (Cassandra) has been cast on ABC's Ugly Betty as the daughter of Vanessa Williams character, Wilhelmina Slater. The character, Nico, was previously played by Jowharah Jones for three episodes back in 2006. This season the show moves to Fridays and YaYa begins airing on the October 9 season premiere.

Dre loses two very important people in his life!

It's been talked about quite a bit but confirmation has finally been received. YaYa DaCosta will be leaving the role of Cassandra Foster on August 25. As previously reported, YaYa has been cast in the off-Broadway production of The First Breeze of Summer. At this time it is unclear if the role will be recast or if Cassandra will return to Paris.

Also slated to leave in the near future is Dre's father, Samuel Woods played by Mario Van Peebles. Mario returns to his recurring role on the FX hit drama Damages. The busy actor/director is constantly working in films as well. The role will most likely not be recast, we'll probably just see Sam leave to go on the campaign trail. But it doesn't help that his romance with Erica hasn't captivated viewers.

Is Cassandra Leaving?

Is YaYa DaCosta (Cassandra) on her way out already!? It seems like a very good possibility as word comes that she has been cast in the off-Broadway production of The First Breeze of Summer at the Peter Norton Space on West 42nd Street, NYC. She joins star and AMC alum Leslie Uggums (Rose Keefer) in the show that begins August 21 and will run until September 28. Previews will begin on August 5. The show is being directed by another AMC alum, Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Dr. McMillan - aka Simone's father). YaYa joined AMC in late April and with the teen storyline heating up, it would be a shame to lose her now. So far there has been no announcement of YaYa's departure from AMC.