Draft:Maya da Costa

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Maya da Costa
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Dancer

Maya da Costa is a Canadian actor and dancer of Portuguese and Vietnamese descent.[1][2] She is known for starring as Coley in Girls Like Girls, a 2026 American coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Hayley Kiyoko.

Career

Da Costa trained in acting and dance, including at Harbour Dance Centre's Intensive Training Program.[3][4]

Da Costa had a recurring role as Maya Longette in the Hulu limited series Under the Bridge in 2024.[3][4]

Da Costa made her feature-film debut as Coley in Girls Like Girls, which was released in the United States on June 19, 2026.[5]

In interviews, da Costa discussed preparing for the emotional scenes in Girls Like Girls, portraying first love and identity through the character of Coley, and the importance of queer representation in the film.[6][2][7]

Da Costa was also cast in Aaron Sorkin's film The Social Reckoning.[5][6][3]

Reception

Several critics discussed da Costa's lead performance in Girls Like Girls. Reviewing the film for TheWrap, William Bibbiani described da Costa's work as a breakout performance in her big-screen debut as Coley.[8] Writing for Variety, Guy Lodge called her performance "wonderful", noting that it conveyed Coley's depth of feeling while allowing the character moments of silliness and petulance.[9] Jourdain Searles of RogerEbert.com described da Costa's performance as refreshingly authentic.[10] In the Los Angeles Times, Robert Abele described da Costa as an appealing newcomer and wrote that she realized Coley's journey with unforced naturalism.[11] Emma Madden of The Guardian, while critical of the film, wrote that Molloy and da Costa's performances exceeded the script.[12]

References

  1. Johns, Merryn (2026). "Hayley Kiyoko Brings Lesbian Visibility to the Big Screen". Curve. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  2. Sirikul, Laura (2026). "Girls Like Girls: On first love, queer visibility, and the stories that carry us". Timid. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  3. "Maya da Costa Résumé". Breakdown Express. da Costa Talent. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  4. "Maya daCosta". da Costa Talent. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  5. Alfallah, Remi (June 26, 2026). "Maya da Costa Shines (And We Can't Look Away)". A Shot. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  6. Pizzuti, Francesco (June 19, 2026). "In Conversation with Maya da Costa". Numéro Netherlands. Interview by Jana Letonja. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  7. Osorno, Ana (June 25, 2026). "Girls Like Girls Stars Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy Are in Sync On and Off Screen". Them. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  8. Bibbiani, William (June 19, 2026). "'Girls Like Girls' Review: Yes, Apparently Hayley Kiyoko Really Can Do Everything". TheWrap. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  9. Lodge, Guy (June 16, 2026). "'Girls Like Girls' Review: Hayley Kiyoko Makes a Warmly Assured Directorial Debut, Awash in Adolescent Melancholy and Yearning". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  10. Searles, Jourdain (June 19, 2026). "Girls Like Girls review: Tender coming-of-age film connects with its characters". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  11. Abele, Robert (June 19, 2026). "A hit song and novel become a sincere directorial debut in 'Girls Like Girls'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 28, 2026.
  12. Madden, Emma (June 18, 2026). "Girls Like Girls review – Sapphic teen romance is a precious and predictable yawn-a-thon". The Guardian. Retrieved June 28, 2026.