About

About Ursula

Some of life’s greatest moments, happen in the most unexpected, unplanned of times.

- Ursula Mayes

Ursula Yvonne Mayes was born on a military base in Seoul, South Korea. She came to the U.S. at the age of 6. Mayes spent most of her childhood and teens living overseas in Korea, on U.S. army bases, Fort Sill Oklahoma, Fort Knox North Carolina, Fort Lee Virginia, Kentucky, Puerto Rico and all over the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Her exotic look comes from her Korean mother and German/Native-American father.

Mayes originially got her start in the modeling industry by her mother’s close friend, a highly acclaimed portrait photographer in the Washington, D.C. area. After taking photos of Ursula, she received numerous first place awards in prestigous categories…but it wasn’t until Mayes was discovered in a spread for Maxim magazine, which led to an offer from a global events company where she realized  growing up an “army brat” would carry into her adult life and her career would flourish.  Mayes subsquently signed multi- year deals with the same company, traveling to 20+ U.S. cities, Asia, Europe and Guam to host headliner performances. Upon signing that intial first contract, the same year, Mayes moved to beautiful Orange County, California and signed additional contracts with a top fashion agency, as Spokesmodel for Dreamgirl International (and subsequently with Escante) and landed the recurring role of briefcase model #5 on the hit game show, Deal Or No Deal hosted by Howie Mandel.

During Ursula’s entire 4 seasons with the show, DOND’s fame skyrocketed, becoming the #1 game show in the world, reaching over 80 million households while nominated for an Emmy and winning “Favorite Game Show” on GSN. Mayes quickly became a fan favorite and many recognize Ursula as suitcase model #5 today. Currently, Mayes is one of four models selected by Atronic on an exclusive Deal Or No Deal slot machine along with Howie Mandel featured in Las Vegas and major casinos across the nation. Mayes also worked with the same producers from DOND on a special Christmas episodic week on Minute To Win It with host, Guy Fieri.

Putting her comedic and improvisation skills to the test, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno called upon Ursula for it’s hilarious “Jaywalking” skits. Since then Mayes has filmed various recurring roles on both The Tonight Show and The Jay Leno Show. Mayes is currently pursuing to further her acting career and training with acclaimed acting coach, Jim Gleason.

Alluring and versatile, Ursula is one of the most sought after faces for her ethnically ambiguous look and ability to transform in both print and film. Some of the campaigns she has appeared in include Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Amway, Jim Bean, California Milk, Subaru, Evan Williams and Bacardi. She has appeared in numerous U.S. magazines, Muscle & Fitness, 944, Maxim, Stuff, OC Health, Runway and People Magazine’s, “100 Most Beautiful Issue” to name a few. Internationally, Mayes has been featured in Korean magazines Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, In Style, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Esquire Turkey, Australian FHM and many more. Mayes unique look get her noticed, but it is her down to earth nature and strong work ethic that makes her shine.

Overseas, Ursula has appeared in a multi-international print and commercial campaign for EI Solutions Skincare and Cosmetics. In addition, Ursula filmed a commercial film (CF), for real estate development Hoban Apartments, considered a great achievement in the highly competitive Korean entertainment industry.  Global video game powerhouse, THQ, hired Mayes as the cover model and star of Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, the follow up to its 2 million selling Juiced racing game, available on XBOX 360™, PlaySation2® and Nintendo DS™. Mayes starred in the game’s television commercial, which aired on major networks worldwide. A special edition DVD just for her fans was included in the first set of released games. Mayes also appeared at the Juiced 2 launch event in London.

On a personal note, Ursula is a strong believer in helping others, donating a portion of her proceeds to help the children of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation of Korea, an organization committed to improving the quality of life, expanding opportunities for children ad promoting an understanding of the values and attributes of other cultures, the injustice of prejudice, and the need for humanitarianism throughout the world.

Model, actress, humanitarian…Ursula seeks ventures that involve creative self-expression, traveling, helping others and learning.

You’re only where you are…because you want to be.

-Ursula Mayes