Maia Campbell

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, Campbell is the daughter of author Bebe Moore Campbell (1950–2006) and Tiko Campbell (1947–2012), an architect and author from Washington, D.C.^[1][2] She was raised in the Ladera Heights section of Los Angeles. She briefly attended New York University before transferring to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.^{[citation needed]}

At age 16, Campbell made her first on-screen appearance in John Singleton's 1993 romantic drama Poetic Justice, playing the role of Lucky's (played by Tupac Shakur) cousin, Shante.^[3]  She was featured in a regular role in the short-lived Fox series South Central, portraying Larenz Tate's girlfriend, Nicole. In 1995, Campbell began portraying the principle role of Tiffany Warren on the NBC sitcom In the House. The show ran for five seasons before being cancelled in 1999.^[4] Between 1996 and 1998, she guest starred in Beverly Hills, 90210, Moesha, and Sister, Sister.^[3] In March 1999, she was the leading lady in Tyrese's music video for "Sweet Lady".^[5] The same year, she appeared in the coming-of-age comedy film Trippin' as Cinny Hawkins, the most beautiful and intelligent girl in school and love interest.^[6] In 2000, Campbell played the role of Ashley in the Showtime television film Seventeen Again, alongside Tia, Tamera, and Tahj Mowry. Her last on-screen acting credit came in 2008's low-budget film, The Rimshop.

After an incident while on the set of In the House in 1998, Campbell was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Two years later in 2000, Campbell gave birth to her daughter Elisha, but since she refused to take her psychiatric medication, she lost custody.^[7][8]

In 2009, a YouTube video was uploaded to the internet of Campbell exhibiting erratic behavior, causing fans to become concerned. In a statement to Essence, Campbell's stepfather Ellis Gordon Jr. stated "As a family, we have been struggling with Maia in her illness for quite some time," he continued, "We continue to hold fast to our faith and hope that some day she will realize that healing will begin when she decides to reach out and accept the help and treatment that have been offered to her."^[3]

In a 2012 sit-down with inspirational speaker Iyanla Vanzant, Campbell stated that in 2010, she was arrested for petty theft and sent to jail, however her stepfather, Ellis, requested that she be moved to a mandatory mental health facility where she spent a year and a half before voluntarily moving to a residential treatment center.^[9]

• LL Cool J – "Ain't Nobody" (1996)
• Lil' Kim – "Not Tonight" (1997)
• Tyrese Gibson – "Sweet Lady" (1999)
• Tyrese Gibson – "Lately" (1999)
• Jaheim - "Just In Case" (2001)
• Fat Joe – "What's Luv?" (2002)
• Brandy – "Talk About Our Love" (2004)