Real World Lady

Background:

A former model and 1st runner up in the Ms. Black California Pageant in 1988, Tami Roman became VJ for MTV following her breakout stint on MTV's long-running reality show, "The Real World." She later turned to acting and could be seen in the films "Tara (aka Hood Rat; 2001), "MacArthur Park" (2001), "Sacred Is the Flesh" (2001), "Hot Parts" (2003), "Hair Show" (2004), "Tears of a Clown" (2005), and "The Last Stand" (2006). Next, she will appear in "Something Like a Business," a comedy by writer/director Russ Parr.

On television, the 5' 9" screen beauty had guest star roles in such shows as "Married with Children," "Silk Stalkings," The Parkers," "The Steve Harvey Show," "The Drew Carey Show," "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," "One on One," "Half & Half," "JAG," and "Summerland." She had a recurring role in "Sex, Love & Secrets" and now plays Maureen 'Mo' Williams on CBS' new supernatural television drama series, "Moonlight."

New York Native

Childhood and Family:

In Mount Vernon, New York, Tami Akbar was born on April 17, 1970. She married Kenny Anderson on August 26, 1994, and divorced from him on February 15, 2001. Tami resides in Beverly Hills with her two daughters, Lyric Chanel and Kenni Lauren.

"Children are the greatest therapy. When I'm feeling down, they make me laugh. When I want to cry, they cheer me up. When I'm feeling unloved, they shower me with hugs and kisses. I love my girls!" Tami Roman.

Something Like a Business

Career:

Following her move to Los Angeles, Tami Roman began a successful modeling career. She appeared in nationwide clothing catalogues, music videos, runway shows and beauty pageants, being the 1st runner up in the Ms. Black California Pageant in 1988.

Tami was bitten by the entertainment bug after meeting Cindy Herron of the famous quartet ''En Vogue.'' She began auditioning while doing a full time job at an HIV healthcare center.

In 1993, Tami scored her big break when she got the final spot on MTV's long-running reality show "The Real World." Afterwards, she was tapped as a relief VJ for MTV and hosted shows such as "Beach MTV," "MTV Jams," "Primetime MTV" and "Rude Awakening."

Meanwhile, Tami was spotted as a guest on FOX's long-running sitcom "Married... with Children," CBS' crime/drama "Silk Stalkings," UPN's sitcom "The Parkers," and The WB's sitcom "The Steve Harvey Show." She also appeared alongside Isaiah Washington and Ice T in Leslie Small's direct-to-video released film "Tara" (2001; aka Hood Rat), with Thomas Jefferson Byrd III, Julie Delpy, Balthazar Getty, and Sydney Poitier in Billy Wirth's independent drama "MacArthur Park" (2001), and reteamed with Isaiah Washington in Carl Seaton's drama "Sacred Is the Flesh" (2001).

After guest starring in an episode of ABC's long-running sitcom "The Drew Carey Show," Tami served as the associate producer and starred as an exotic dancer named Midnight in the straight-to-video released movie "Hot Parts" (2003), a crime drama which also stars Kenya Moore and Sticky Fingaz, and portrayed Lontae Burton, the homeless woman with four children, in the unsold pilot "The Street Lawyer" (2003), based on John Grisham's book about an attorney who leaves his high-priced firm to work for the less fortunate. She subsequently made guest appearances in an episode of ABC/The WB's sitcom based on the Archie comic book series, "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," UPN's sitcom "One on One," UPN's sitcom "Half & Half" and NBC/CBS' adventure and drama television show "JAG." She also appeared in a Pier 1 Imports commercial, alongside Kirstie Alley.

2004 saw Tami on ABC's unsold comedy pilot "Earthquake" and Leslie Small's romantic comedy movie starring Mo'Nique and Kellita Smith, "Hair Show." In the following year, she appeared in writer/director Tony Spires' drama film "Tears of a Clown" and in the comedic TV movie "Talk Show Diaries." She was also spotted as a guest in an episode of The WB's drama series "Summerland" and had a recurring role on UPN's drama series "Sex, Love & Secrets."

Tami recently supported Laz Alonso and Anthony Anderson in writer/director Russ Parr's dark comedy film "The Last Stand" (2006) and starred in a family drama TV movie set inside the hip-hop business, "Wifey" (2007). She currently plays Maureen 'Mo' Williams on CBS' new supernatural television drama series, "Moonlight."

Tami's recent film, Ernst Gossner's independent drama film "South of Pico," was premiered at the American Black Film Festival in October 2007. The film, which explores the live of four Angelenos that intersect in a horrible car accident, also stars Kip Pardue, Gina Torres, Henry Simmons and Car'ynn Sims.

Tami will soon wrap her upcoming film, "Something Like a Business," a comedy by writer/director Russ Parr. Additionally, she has written a script based loosely on her life as an NBA wife. She is also working on a demo to cultivate her love for singing.

Awards:
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