Ava Michelle Cota

Ava Michelle Cota is an American actress, dancer, model and social media personality. She is best known for playing Jodi Kreyman, the lead in Netflix's teen comedies Tall Girl (2019) and Tall Girl 2 (2022). As of 2026, she has over 2.6 million followers on TikTok and a growing presence across film, television, and advocacy work. Her distinctive height of nearly 6'2" has become a defining part of her public identity, both on screen and in her personal story. Fans connect with her authentic discussions about body image, self-confidence, and resilience.[edit]

Ava grew up in Linden and Fenton, Michigan, training in dance from a very young age at her mother's studio, Broadway Dance Academy. She developed strong skills in contemporary, ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap, competing in regional and national competitions where she won numerous national titles. In 2014, she was crowned Miss Pre Teen Galaxy International, a pageant that recognized her performance and stage presence.

Her first appearance on Dance Moms came in Season 3, in the episode titled "The Beginning of the End." She quickly became a regular on the show and was selected for the Elite Select Ensemble in Season 4. In 2016, she competed on So You Think You Can Dance. Throughout her early teens, she faced rejection from dance roles because of her height, an experience that later informed the plot of Tall Girl. She landed the lead role in that Netflix film after a worldwide casting call, beating out hundreds of other applicants despite having a sparse acting résumé at the time.[edit]

Ava's breakthrough came in 2019 when she starred as Jodi Kreyman in Netflix's Tall Girl, a teen romantic comedy about a very tall high school girl navigating insecurity and bullying. The film became a popular title on the platform, leading to a sequel, Tall Girl 2, which was released on February 11, 2022. She also had an early acting credit in A Christmas Dinner (2018) and a small role on The Bold and the Beautiful. She continues to act, model, and create social media content, and has also released original music intermittently as a singer-songwriter. Beyond entertainment, she co-founded The Devon Michael Foundation with her mother, advocating for mental health and fentanyl awareness after the death of her brother Devon from accidental fentanyl poisoning.[edit]

Ava is often portrayed in media as a tall, elegant, fashion-forward young woman whose look balances high-fashion modeling with relatable teen style. Her social media content combines dance, fashion, acting updates, and inspirational messages, often discussing self-confidence and the challenges of being tall. She is seen as resilient and authentic, having turned industry rejection into a leading role and activism. Her advocacy work through The Devon Michael Foundation adds a compassionate dimension to her public persona.[edit]

Ava Michelle Cota commands a loyal following that thrives on direct engagement rather than organized, large-scale campaigns. Her audience connects with her through personal Instagram interactions and candid discussions about resilience, turning the story of her departure from *Dance Moms* into a central piece of fan lore. That moment, where she was reportedly cut from a team for being too tall, now serves as an ironic origin story for her stardom in the Netflix hit *Tall Girl*. While fans celebrate her authenticity and advocacy for body image, there is no formal name documented for her fanbase, nor are there records of massive coordinated projects like billboard drives or fan-funded charity events. The community remains defined by shared appreciation for her journey from industry rejection to leading roles. In the broader landscape of global celebrity, Ava Michelle Cota is currently evaluated by iFANN but does not hold a placement in the published rankings. She is not ranked within the Global Top 1,000, nor does she appear on any Top-100 scope list. This status reflects a specific tier of fame where influence is significant and culturally resonant, yet distinct from the saturation required for top-tier algorithmic ranking. Her presence is marked by steady growth across film, television, and social platforms, driven by her unique physical stature and authentic storytelling. While she lacks a numerical rank in the current edition, her impact on teen culture and her ability to transform personal tragedy into public advocacy keep her firmly in the public eye.[edit]

Identified as European-American in her IMDb biography, Ava Michelle Cota has expanded her creative portfolio beyond acting to include sporadic songwriting and vocal performances. Her birth name occasionally appears as Ava Justin Michelle Cota in older records, though major sources consistently use Ava Michelle Cota. In 2018, she participated in a promotional game called "Spin the Wheel" at the Famous Birthdays office. Her career is anchored by three defining narratives that have become legendary among her followers. The most widely retold story involves her controversial exit from the *Dance Moms* team, where she was reportedly removed specifically because of her height, a twist of fate that foreshadowed her breakout role as the title character in *Tall Girl*. Another pivotal moment occurred when she publicly discussed undergoing a nose job, a rare display of vulnerability that humanized her public persona. More recently, she transformed personal grief into activism after the accidental death of her brother, David Michael Malinowski. Her appearance on the *Meet Bridget* podcast to discuss his legacy and fentanyl awareness cemented her reputation as a resilient figure who turns pain into purpose.[edit]

Ava's mother is Jeanette Cota, a dance teacher and owner of Broadway Dance Academy in Fenton, Michigan. She had a brother named Devon Michael Cota, who died from accidental fentanyl poisoning. In his memory, Ava and her mother founded The Devon Michael Foundation, which focuses on youth mental health and fentanyl awareness.[edit]

Ava Michelle is associated with fellow Dance Moms star Kamryn Beck. She also worked with director Nzingha Stewart on the Tall Girl films. Her mother Jeanette Cota has been a significant influence on her dance career.[edit]

Ava Michelle Cota keeps her romantic life relatively private. Her only publicly documented relationship is with Bryan Pearn, a fashion content creator. They are believed to have started dating around 2021–2022, based on social media posts. As of 2026, they are still in a committed relationship. There are no reports of prior well-documented partners or children.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Ava Michelle Cota's net worth is estimated at $2 Million as of 2026. Her financial standing is built upon a diverse array of income streams, including lead roles in Netflix's *Tall Girl* and *Tall Girl 2*, alongside smaller parts in various films and television productions. Modeling assignments and brand sponsorships contribute significantly to her earnings, complemented by paid partnerships and content creation on TikTok and Instagram. She also generates revenue from intermittent music releases as a singer-songwriter. While her advocacy work through The Devon Michael Foundation is a vital part of her public life, it operates primarily as philanthropy and does not generate substantial income.[edit]

Ava Michelle won Miss Pre Teen Galaxy International in 2014, a pageant title recognizing her performance and stage presence. She has not won major film or television awards.[edit]