Ava Dash may have grown up with famous parents, but the “Next Gen NYC” star is making it clear she wants a career — and a name — of her own.
The daughter of fashion designer Rachel Roy and entrepreneur and music producer Damon Dash returned for “Next Gen NYC” season 2 with plenty happening in her professional and personal life. Between signing with Ford Models New York, navigating friendships with Gia Giudice and Ariana Biermann, splitting from boyfriend Hook and fueling speculation about Kyle Cooke, Ava has had a busy season.
So, what should Cocktailers know about Ava?
Ava Dash Is Building a Modeling Career Away From Her Famous Parents
Ava is a model and influencer who regularly shares her fashion, travel and New York City life on Instagram.
During season 2, episode 7, Ava revealed that she had signed with Ford Models New York three months earlier. She said she wanted to pursue “more beauty stuff and also more editorial stuff” in 2026 while elevating her social media presence.
She also pushed back on the assumption that having well-known parents means she doesn’t need to support herself.
“I have to make money, I have to make rent,” Ava said. “People think that because I grew up with famous parents, that, like, I don’t really have to work, I don’t really have to do anything. But my mom is a single mom. She has no choice but to get practical.”
Ava told Byrdie in June 2026 that both parents influenced her career.
“With my mom being in fashion, I’ve always been around the industry,” she said. “I’d be running around her office during photo shoots when I was little. Through my dad, I modeled for Rocawear between the ages of four and six. The seeds were planted at an early age.”
The ‘Next Gen NYC’ Star Addressed Her Family’s Apartment Drama
Ava has also been open about less glamorous parts of her life.
During the “Next Gen NYC” season 2 premiere, she revealed that Damon received an eviction notice for their shared New York City apartment.
Ava later clarified the situation to Elite Daily.
“We were late on rent payments, and then we paid them, and everything was fine,” she said. “The landlord and I still text. She wanted me to extend my lease. She watches the show.”
As for reading speculation about herself and her family online? Ava admitted she sometimes finds it entertaining.
“Some things are so wrong, it’s just like, ‘Whatever, I’m not gonna comment on it,’” she said on “Next Gen NYC.” “But some things are so right, and I’m like, ‘How the f**k did they know that?’”
What’s Going On With Ava Dash and Kyle Cooke?
Now for the part Cocktailers really want to know.
Ava is currently single following her breakup with professional wrestler Tyler Senerchia, better known as Hook. However, her increasingly close friendship with Kyle Cooke, a star of “Summer House” and “In The City,” has attracted plenty of attention.
Ava and Kyle were spotted getting a drink together in March 2026, although both initially denied that anything romantic had happened.
Kyle addressed the outing during a March appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”
“We were at a family dinner doing a family blessing, holding hands, so I was holding her [hand],” he said. “It was just a random drinking day in New York.”
By July, however, Ava acknowledged that they had become much closer.
“We have gotten really close in the past couple months,” she told Us Weekly. “We have the same friend group. A lot of my best friends are also his best friends, so we’ve just been having fun.”
When directly asked whether they were dating, Ava offered a much more intriguing answer.
“What happens in the Hamptons stays in the Hamptons, for now,” she said.
She continued to tease their friendship in an interview with Decider, calling Kyle “a lot of fun” and revealing that they frequently spend time together with friends.
“He always takes the aux cord, and he’s always deejaying, and honestly, he kills it,” Ava said. “We just always have the best time. Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.”
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‘Next Gen NYC’ Star Ariana Biermann Warns Fans Her Behavior Gets ‘Worse’ as Season 2 Drama Escalates
Rachel Roy aka the chick in the elevator with Jay-Z when Solange smacked him.
A 43 year old man hanging out / “best friends” with 25 year olds.. not weird at all