Willa Ford Biography: Husband, Age, Kids, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Songs & Albums, Movies & TV Shows

Willa Ford, born Amanda Lee Williford, is a multifaceted American talent known for her early 2000s pop music career, acting roles, and her successful transition to interior design.

Rising to fame with her debut album Willa Was Here and its hit single “I Wanna Be Bad,” she carved a niche as the self-proclaimed “Bad Girl of Pop.” Her career spans music, acting, reality television, and interior design, showcasing her versatility.

Profile

• Full Name: Amanda Lee Williford
• Stage Name: Willa Ford
• Born: January 22, 1981
• Age: 44 years old
• Birthplace: Ruskin, Florida, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Interior Designer, Former Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Model, Television Personality, Dancer
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
• Parents: Donna Sweat Williford, Ralph Everett
• Siblings: Aleece Williford, Heather Williford, Marcus Williford
• Spouse: Ryan Nece (m. 2015), Mike Modano (m. 2007–2012)
• Children: Elijah Everett Mandel Nece
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million to $5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Willa Ford was born on January 22, 1981, in Ruskin, Florida, USA, to Donna Sweat Williford and Ralph Everett. Raised in a close-knit family with two sisters, Aleece and Heather, and a brother, Marcus.

She attended East Bay High School in Gibsonton, Florida, graduating in 1999. Ford also studied opera for over four years, earning a degree as a professional opera singer and achieving whistle register proficiency. Her ethnicity is Caucasian, her zodiac sign is Aquarius, and her religious beliefs are not publicly specified, though some sources suggest a Christian background.

Career

Willa Ford began her career at 15 with the local group FLA before moving to Los Angeles to pursue music. In 1999, performing as Mandah, she signed with MCA Records and contributed “Lullaby” to the Pokémon: The First Movie soundtrack. To avoid confusion with Mandy Moore, she adopted the stage name Willa Ford.

In 2000, she opened for the Backstreet Boys‘ “Into the Millennium” tour, gaining attention and briefly dating Nick Carter. Signed to Lava Atlantic Records in 2001, she released her debut album Willa Was Here on July 17, 2001, which peaked at #56 on the Billboard 200 and sold approximately 200,000 copies. The lead single, “I Wanna Be Bad,” featuring Royce da 5’9″, reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100, with its music video gaining heavy MTV rotation.

A second single, “Did Ya’ Understand That,” released on September 11, 2001, underperformed due to the day’s tragic events, which Ford cited as a factor in stalling her music career. She served as a spokesperson for Pantene Pro-V’s ProVoice campaign and hosted MTV’s Total Request Live and Say What? Karaoke. In 2002, she co-wrote and sang “Nastified” with South Korean pop star Park Ji Yoon, and in 2003, she hosted The Morning After and I Bet You Will on MTV. From 2005 to 2006, she performed as a guest doll with The Pussycat Dolls in Las Vegas.

Her acting career began with a 2002 guest role as Edie in Raising Dad, followed by her film debut as Anna Nicole Smith in The Anna Nicole Smith Story (2007). She played Chelsea in Friday the 13th (2009) alongside Jared Padalecki and Danielle Panabaker, and appeared in Universal Squadrons (2011), The Glades (2011), Magic City (2012), Leverage (2012), The Nurse (2014), and Any Day (2015). In 2006, she competed on Dancing with the Stars Season 3, placing seventh, and posed for Playboy magazine.

She hosted The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 (2005) and appeared on Celebrity Ghost Stories and Celebrity Wife Swap. In 2010, she released “All This Time” with Riley Smith, and in 2011, performed “Back Back Back” at The Viper Room. In 2014, she featured in “Rock Tonight” with Eve Nelson and Ray Cervenka. Transitioning from entertainment, Ford founded WFord Interiors, starring alongside Scott Disick in Flip It Like Disick (2019) on E!, where she showcased her interior design expertise. She continues to pursue interior design while expressing interest in returning to music.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @willaford
• Facebook Handle: Willa Ford
• Twitter Handle: @WillaFord

Personal Life

Willa Ford, 44, is married to former NFL linebacker Ryan Nece. They wed on October 8, 2015, in a private ceremony and welcomed their son, Elijah Everett Mandel Nece, on September 7, 2016. The couple resides in New York City, maintaining a private family life. Previously, Ford was married to NHL player Mike Modano on August 25, 2007, in Athens, Texas, but they divorced in August 2012, just before their fifth anniversary.

She dated Backstreet Boys‘ Nick Carter during her 2000 tour and was briefly linked to Carson Daly. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing approximately 115 lbs (52 kg), Ford has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slender 34-24-35-inch figure. A fitness enthusiast, she shares workout routines and healthy living tips on social media.

Discography

• “Lullaby” (1999) – Pokémon: The First Movie soundtrack
• “Nastified” (2002) – Duet with Park Ji Yoon, Man album
• “All This Time” (2010) – Single with Riley Smith
• “Back Back Back” (2011) – Single
• “Rock Tonight” (2014) – Single with Eve Nelson and Ray Cervenka

Filmography

• Raising Dad (2002) – Edie (TV, Guest Role)
• The Anna Nicole Smith Story (2007) – Anna Nicole Smith (TV Movie)
• Friday the 13th (2009) – Chelsea ($91 million)
• Universal Squadrons (2011) – Becca
• The Glades (2011) – Shelby (TV, Guest Role)
• Magic City (2012) – Janice Suarez (TV, Guest Role)
• Leverage (2012) – Tabatha (TV, Guest Role)
• The Nurse (2014) – Supporting Role
• Any Day (2015) – Supporting Role
• A Father’s Secret (2016) – Supporting Role (TV Movie)

Television (Hosting/Reality)

• The Ultimate Fighter (2005) – Host (Season 1)
• Dancing with the Stars (2006) – Contestant (Season 3, 7th place)
• Total Request Live (2001) – Guest Host
• Say What? Karaoke (2001) – Host
• The Morning After (2003) – Host
• I Bet You Will (2003) – Host
• Celebrity Ghost Stories (2012) – Guest
• Celebrity Wife Swap (2014) – Guest
• Flip It Like Disick (2019) – Self (Interior Designer)

Net Worth

Willa Ford has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million USD. Her wealth stems from her music career, notably Willa Was Here (200,000 copies sold), acting roles in Friday the 13th ($91 million) and The Anna Nicole Smith Story, and reality TV appearances on Dancing with the Stars and Flip It Like Disick. Her interior design firm, WFord Interiors, and jewelry line significantly contribute to her earnings.