Joy Bryant is an American actress and former fashion model. She was born in The Bronx, New York. While living in the Bronx, Joy graduated from CJHS 145x and was a member of the Fieldston Enrichment Program, an elite high school preparatory program. She attended, but did not graduate from, Yale University.

While enrolled as a full-time student at Yale, Bryant was discovered by a modeling scout from Next Models Management and subsequently pursued a career as a fashion model in Paris. Her beauty got her an exclusive contract with brand names such as Tommy Hilfiger and the Victoria's Secret lingerie catalogue. She is signed to Next Models Management in New York City.

Bryant's acting debut came in 2001 in Robert Townsend's Carmen: A Hip Hopera. After a small role in the action comedy Showtime, she made her big breakthrough in Denzel Washington's directorial debut, Antwone Fisher. In 2005 she appeared in high-profile films such as The Skeleton Key, London, and Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Her performances as Mallory in London and the beautiful Charlene in Get Rich or Die Tryin were critically acclaimed and reinforced her reputation as a versatile actress.