Denaya was raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Growing up in a single parent household by her mother Quartrina, Denaya was taught the importance of faith and hard work. Graduating with academic honors from Osseo Senior High school, she was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (Hollywood) in 2012. After graduating in 2014, she became a member of the Academy's Company in 2015. Denaya is represented under Streitfeld Management, out of Los Angeles.