Ava Dash – Bio, Age, Height, Parents, Career, Next Gen NYC, Net Worth, Boyfriend, Modeling & Facts

Ava Dash is the kind of New York City “it girl” who was born into hip-hop royalty and fashion dynasty, yet insists on carving her own lane. As the eldest daughter of Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash and celebrated fashion designer Rachel Roy, Dash grew up in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood with front-row access to the music and fashion industries. But rather than coasting on her parents’ fame, she has built a multifaceted career spanning modeling, activism, authorship, and reality television. From posing for PETA at age 15 to starring in Bravo’s Next Gen NYC and fronting campaigns for BCBGMAXAZRIA and Skims, the 26-year-old is proving that being a “nepo baby” can coexist with genuine ambition—and she is not afraid to say the name opened doors.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Ava Dash was born on December 7, 1999, in New York City, and raised in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. She is the eldest child of Damon Dash and Rachel Roy, who married in 2005 and divorced in 2009 after a bitter custody battle. Growing up, Ava was immersed in the worlds of hip-hop and high fashion—her father’s Rocawear empire and her mother’s eponymous label provided an unconventional but glamorous childhood.

Despite the privilege, Ava’s parents instilled a strong work ethic. Her mother taught her to “trust in yourself” and “know your self-worth,” while her father emphasized that confidence could make anything look good. She attended school in Los Angeles for a period before enrolling at Loyola Marymount University, where she graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree.

After college, Ava made the deliberate choice to return to New York City to elevate her modeling career and experience her twenties in the city she considers home. “The experiences that I can have in New York City, I just wasn’t having in LA,” she told The Observer.

Career Journey

Early Modeling & Activism (2015–2020)

Ava’s modeling career began almost before she could remember—she appeared in photo shoots for her parents’ Rocawear brand between ages 4 and 6. At 15, she signed with a modeling agency and immediately began using her platform for advocacy.

In October 2015, Ava collaborated with UGG and The Teen Project, a nonprofit supporting young women aging out of the foster care system. She helped decorate living quarters for eight women transitioning into independent living, a project her mother Rachel Roy also supported. The same year, she fronted a PETA campaign promoting vegan accessories over exotic animal skins—posing nude to make a powerful statement about compassionate fashion.

Modeling Breakthrough (2021–2024)

Ava’s adult modeling career gained serious momentum after college:

• 2021: Appeared in a Skims campaign, putting her alongside some of the most visible models in the industry
• 2023: Named brand ambassador for BCBGMAXAZRIA’s Holiday 2023 campaign—her first major solo campaign. The partnership held special significance: Rachel Roy’s first job in fashion was as a sales associate for BCBG. Ava told People, “This is my time to shine.”
• 2024: Featured on the cover of CR Fashion Book’s 2024 zine; interviewed for The Zoe Report
• Recent campaigns: Mixed social and modeling campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger and Bergdorf Goodman

She is currently represented by Ford Models in Los Angeles and maintains a professional website at avadash.com.

Authorship (2019)

At age 19, Ava co-authored 96 Words for Love with her mother Rachel Roy—a modern retelling of the Indian legend Shakuntala. The book’s proceeds support young survivors of sex trafficking in India, reflecting the family’s commitment to philanthropic storytelling.

Television: Next Gen NYC (2025–Present)

In 2025, Ava joined the cast of Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, a reality series following the lives of young New Yorkers with famous parents. Her Season 1 bio described her as having “that it factor” and being “surrounded by legends from day one, but she’s never needed a famous name to turn heads.”

Season 1 highlights included:

• Appearances by her father Damon, who proudly showed off The New York Post cover featuring the cast
• Insights into her close relationship with her younger brother Dusko (Damon’s son with fiancée Raquel Horn)
• Her candid reflections on growing up in the public eye

Season 2 (2026) has focused on Ava’s ambition to build a brand entirely her own. She has clashed with castmate Ariana Biermann over fashion critiques, navigated rumors about her personal life, and continued modeling while filming. Her father Damon’s 2025 bankruptcy filing and eviction from their shared NYC apartment became storyline elements, though Ava clarified to Elite Daily: “We were late on rent payments, and then we paid them, and everything was fine. The landlord and I still text. She wanted me to extend my lease. She watches the show.”

Personal Life

Family Dynamics

Ava maintains close relationships with both parents despite their 2009 divorce. Her mother Rachel Roy founded the skincare company Ancient India and remains a fashion industry force. Her father Damon Dash, co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records with Jay-Z and Kareem Burke, has faced significant financial troubles in recent years—including a September 2025 Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing claiming over $25 million in debt and only $4,350 in assets.

Ava has three half-siblings from Damon’s other relationships:

• Dame “Boogie” Dash (b. 1991) — stars in Growing Up Hip Hop
• Lucky Dash (b. 2004)
• Dusko Dash (b. November 14, 2020)

Her full sister Tallulah Dash was born May 14, 2008, and is currently 18 years old.

Dating History & Relationships

Conor Kennedy (2021): Ava’s most public relationship was with Conor Kennedy, grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and former boyfriend of Taylor Swift (2012). The couple met in 2019 through mutual friends but did not connect romantically until Conor’s birthday weekend in the Hamptons in August 2020. They began dating around November 2020 and made their first public appearance at an LGBTQ fundraiser in the Hamptons in June 2021. A source told People they “spend almost every day together” and were living in Los Angeles during the pandemic. The relationship eventually ended, and Conor became engaged to Brazilian singer Giulia Be in August 2024.

Tyler (2025): During Next Gen NYC Season 1, Ava was linked to a man named Tyler, though details remained vague.

Jesse Solomon (2026): In 2026, fans noticed Ava appearing frequently in Jesse Solomon’s Instagram stories, sparking dating rumors. Solomon is a cast member of Bravo’s Summer House.

Kyle Cooke Rumors (2026): In early 2026, Ava was spotted having a drink with Kyle Cooke of Summer House fame, shortly after his separation from Amanda Batula. Both Ava and Kyle denied any romantic involvement. Kyle appeared on Watch What Happens Live in March 2026 to clarify: “We were at a family dinner doing a family blessing, holding hands, so I was holding her [hand]… It was just a random drinking day in New York.” Ava told Elite Daily: “When that came out, I had met him once, and he posted a photo of us and the caption was like, ‘next gen and old gen.’ So dad coded. I’m like, ‘This is not a thing.'”

As of June 2026, Ava is single.

Controversies

The “Nepo Baby” Label

Ava has faced scrutiny for her famous parentage, but unlike many celebrity children, she embraces the label. In a 2023 People interview, she admitted: “I really, really appreciate being able to have a last name to stand on.” She credits both parents for teaching her work ethic and industry knowledge, arguing that privilege without effort means nothing.

Father’s Financial Troubles

Damon Dash’s 2025 bankruptcy and eviction from the Tribeca apartment he shared with Ava became public fodder, particularly after it was featured on Next Gen NYC. Ava has navigated the situation with transparency, correcting misconceptions while maintaining loyalty to her father.

Cast Drama on Next Gen NYC

Ava’s fashion critique of Ariana Biermann—“Every time I’ve seen her, I didn’t think she has the best style for a fashion designer”—sparked tension in Season 2. She also addressed fallout with Gia Giudice over podcast comments, though the two have since reconciled.

Awards & Achievements

• BCBGMAXAZRIA Brand Ambassador — Holiday 2023 campaign
• Skims Campaign — 2021
• PETA Campaign — Vegan accessories advocacy (2015, 2023)
• CR Fashion Book Cover — 2024 zine
• Co-author, 96 Words for Love (2019)
• Ford Models representation (Los Angeles)
• Bravo Next Gen NYC cast member (2025–present)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“I really, really appreciate being able to have a last name to stand on.”
— On being a “nepo baby,” 2023

“This is my time to shine.”
— On her BCBGMAXAZRIA campaign, 2023

“I always want to feel at peace amongst all the chaos. I want to feel grounded in myself.”
— On her personal philosophy, 2026

“When things start to feel performative, I’d rather remove myself than force something that doesn’t feel genuine. That’s how I protect my peace.”
— On navigating reality TV drama

“My mom taught me how to dress like I’m going somewhere important, even when I’m just running errands.”
— On her mother’s fashion influence

“Always have a good outfit on standby. You never know where this city will take you.”
— On New York City style

Favorites

Earnings & Net Worth

Interesting Facts

• Ava appeared in Rocawear photo shoots at ages 4–6, making her a model before she was even aware of the industry.
• Her mother’s first fashion job was as a BCBG sales associate, making Ava’s BCBGMAXAZRIA campaign a full-circle moment.
• She is not afraid of the “nepo baby” label and openly credits her parents for opening doors.
• She posed nude for PETA at age 15 to protest exotic animal skins in fashion.
• She and her mother co-wrote a book based on the Indian legend Shakuntala to support sex trafficking survivors.
• She was living in Los Angeles during college and the pandemic before returning to NYC.
• Her father Damon Dash filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2025 with $25 million in debt.
• She was spotted in Jesse Solomon’s Instagram stories in 2026, fueling dating rumors.
• She told Elite Daily that her teenage sister Tallulah and her friends now think she’s cool thanks to Next Gen NYC.
• She is a Sagittarius and joked that she was surprised she didn’t “run off to Europe mid-season” during filming.

Did You Know?

• Ava’s ex-boyfriend Conor Kennedy was previously linked to Taylor Swift in 2012—Swift’s song “Starlight” was inspired by Conor’s grandparents.
• She has been featured in Vogue, W, WWD, and NYLON for her fashion presence.
• She was 15 years old when she did her first major activism project with UGG and The Teen Project.
• Her father’s 33.3% stake in Roc-A-Fella Records was nearly auctioned by U.S. Marshals in 2024 to satisfy debts.
• She maintains a professional website (avadash.com) separate from her social media presence.

Social Media Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How old is Ava Dash?
A: Ava Dash was born on December 7, 1999, making her 26 years 6 months old years old as of 2026.

Q: Who are Ava Dash’s parents?
A: Her father is Damon Dash (co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records) and her mother is Rachel Roy (fashion designer).

Q: How tall is Ava Dash?
A: She is 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.

Q: What is Ava Dash’s net worth?
A: Her estimated net worth is $1 million as of 2026.

Q: Did Ava Dash date Conor Kennedy?
A: Yes, she dated Conor Kennedy (grandson of Robert F. Kennedy and Taylor Swift’s ex) from approximately 2020 to 2021.

Q: What show is Ava Dash on?
A: She stars in Bravo’s Next Gen NYC, which follows young New Yorkers with famous parents.

Q: What campaigns has Ava Dash done?
A: She has appeared in campaigns for BCBGMAXAZRIA, Skims, Tommy Hilfiger, Bergdorf Goodman, PETA, and UGG.

Q: Did Ava Dash write a book?
A: Yes, she co-authored 96 Words for Love with her mother Rachel Roy in 2019.

Q: Is Ava Dash a “nepo baby”?
A: She acknowledges the label and has said she “really, really appreciate[s] being able to have a last name to stand on.”

Q: Does Ava Dash have siblings?
A: She has a full sister, Tallulah Dash (b. 2008), and three half-brothers: Boogie, Lucky, and Dusko.

Conclusion

Ava Dash represents a new generation of celebrity offspring who refuse to apologize for their privilege while working tirelessly to prove they deserve it. From childhood Rocawear shoots to PETA activism, from a college degree at Loyola Marymount to Bravo reality stardom, she has spent her 26 years building a resume that stands on its own— even if she is the first to admit the Dash and Roy names helped open the door. As she continues modeling, filming, and navigating the New York City social scene, Ava is proving that the most interesting thing about being a “nepo baby” is what you do after you walk through it.

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