Melissa De Sousa


Melissa De Sousa is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Shelby in the 1999 romantic comedy-drama film The Best Man and its 2013 sequel The Best Man Holiday. De Sousa also starred as Gabriella Jimenez in BET's Reed Between the Lines. Born in New York City, De Sousa is of Panamanian descent.

Early life

Born and raised in New York City by Panamanian parents, Melissa De Sousa attended the renowned High School of Performing Arts as a ballet major, and began her career as a principle dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Company before transitioning into acting.

Career

Melissa is best known for her performance as the infamous "Shelby" in the Universal Studio franchise The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday starring opposite Terrence Howard, for which she earned an NAACP Image Award nomination. Currently recurring as "Mirta Herrera" on Showtime's On Becoming A God In Central Florida opposite Kirsten Dunst. Mirta is a pill popping journalist investigating a multi-million dollar pyramid scheme. She also led the cult hit series Single Ladies for BET Networks, Melissa played Austin Aguilera, described as the latin Kim Kardashian, a sexy single socialite turned club owner who liked to party.
De Sousa also starred opposite Matthew Perry in the TNT original presentation of The Ron Clark Story, which garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Made For Television Movie. Other film work includes Lisa Cholodenko's Laurel Canyon with Frances McDormand, Donald Petrie's Miss Congeniality opposite Sandra Bullock, and the indie hit Constellation alongside Zoe Saldana. Her television credits include series regular roles on Reed Between The Lines, Second Time Around, One on One, Darren Star's drama The $treet for FOX, Valley Of The Dolls, and Damon, with Damon Wayans produced by Carsey- Werner, also for FOX. Guest Star credits include Criminal Minds, Elementary, Shameless, and countless others.

Personal life

De Sousa currently resides in New York.

Filmography

Film

Television