Tomiko Fraser facts for kids

Tomiko Fraser Hines is an American fashion model and actress. She was born Tomiko Fraser on May 2, 1968. She has worked as a model on runways, in magazines, and in commercials.

Tomiko is most famous for being the first African-American model to represent Maybelline cosmetics. She was their main model from 2001 to 2007. She also acted in the 2001 movie Head over Heels. Tomiko is a big supporter of raising awareness about lupus erythematosus, a health condition.

Early Life and Family

Tomiko Fraser was born and grew up in the Bronx, New York. She went to Cardinal Spellman High School. Tomiko always loved learning and wanted to become a school teacher.

Her parents divorced when she was a child. She is one of seven children. She has three siblings from her mother and four from her father. Her sister, Shneequa, sadly passed away from brain Lupus. Her aunt also died from scleroderma, which is a rare autoimmune disease.

Modeling Career

Tomiko started modeling a bit later than most fashion models. She was discovered when she was 25 years old. At the time, she was working as a waitress at a restaurant called Lola in the Flatiron District.

She first signed with a small modeling agency. Her very first modeling job was for Seventeen Magazine. Later, she joined Ford Models. She even walked the runway for Chanel in Paris.

Famous Campaigns and Shows

Tomiko has appeared in many advertisements and print campaigns. These include Essence (magazine), Target, Gain, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Gemey. She has also modeled for fashion brands like Alfani shoes, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, J.Crew, Talbots, Liz Claiborne, and Old Navy maternity clothes.

She is best known for being the main face of Maybelline cosmetics. She made history as the first African-American model to represent the brand.

Tomiko has walked in fashion shows for many top designers. These include Chloe, Chanel, Vera Wang, John Galliano, Nicole Miller, Vivienne Westwood, and Emmanuel Ungaro. Famous photographer Mario Testino has taken pictures of Tomiko for US Vogue magazine. She was also on the cover of Flare magazine in 1999.

In 2012, while she was pregnant, she modeled for Old Navy and Stork magazine. For most of her career, she was with Ford Models. Today, she is represented by Cathy Quinn Models in New York.

Acting Career

After many years of modeling, Tomiko started focusing on acting. She is represented by Innovative Artists. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Tomiko's first acting role was in the movie Head over Heels in 2001. In the movie, she played a fashion model alongside Freddie Prinze Jr.. Since then, she has appeared on TV shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Soul Food, and The Game. She also acted in the movie Monster-in-Law.

In 2011, Tomiko became a judge on the TV show Model Latina: Las Vegas.

Personal Life

Tomiko Fraser married Christopher Hines on July 3, 2006. The couple had some difficulty having children. They used donor eggs and a special medical procedure called in vitro fertilization to get pregnant. In January 2013, Tomiko gave birth to twin boys, Kaden James Hines and Bryce Harrison Hines.

Helping Others

Tomiko Fraser Hines is also known for her work as a Lupus Activist. This cause is very important to her because her sister, Shneequa, suffered from the disease. Tomiko is a member of the National Board of Directors for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA).