Michelle Mitchenor is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Detective Sonya Bailey on the Fox action comedy-drama series, Lethal Weapon (2016–2019), and as Jayla Wright in the BET+ comedy-drama series, First Wives Club (2021–2022).
Michelle Mitchenor | |
|---|---|
| Born | Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Spouse |
Mustafa Speaks (m. 2018) |
Early life
editMitchenor was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She attended Ocean County Performing Arts Academy High School in New Jersey to study dancing and acting. Mitchenor attended Towson University, where she graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts for dancing.[1] She later went to Juilliard School and began appearing in web-series.[2]
Career
editIn 2015, Mitchenor made her big screen debut appearing in the Spike Lee’s musical-drama film, Chi-Raq.[3] The following year, Mitchenor was cast as the regular role as Detective Sonya Bailey in the Fox action comedy-drama series, Lethal Weapon.[4] The series was canceled in 2019. Later in 2019 she went to star in BET Her thriller film, Fanatic, and co-starred in the romantic comedy film, Always a Bridesmaid.[5] In 2021, she was cast in the BET+ comedy-drama series, First Wives Club.[6] In 2023, Mitchenor played Tonesa Welch in the biographical crime drama film, First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story.[7]
Personal life
editIn 2018, Mitchenor married fellow actor, Mustafa Speaks.[8]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Chi-Raq | Indigo | |
| 2016 | Fade Away | Teresa | Short |
| 2019 | Fanatic | Zoe | TV movie |
| Where We Go from Here | Bank Teller | ||
| Always a Bridesmaid | Tamara Mickens | ||
| A Date by Christmas Eve | Simone Scott | TV movie | |
| 2020 | Augustus | Anna | Short |
| 2021 | Day 74 | - | Short |
| 2022 | Starkeisha | Crystal | Short |
| 2023 | First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story | Tonesa Welch |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2016 | Black Boots | Zoe Young | Recurring Cast |
| 2014 | Sunday | Monica | Recurring Cast |
| Sex Sent Me to the ER | Intake Nurse | Episode: "Have a Ball" | |
| 2015 | Last to Love | Sydney | Main Cast |
| The Marriage Tour | Kelly | Episode: "Player's Complex" | |
| 2016–2019 | Lethal Weapon | Detective Sonya Bailey | Main Cast |
| 2017 | Tales | Crystal | Episode: "Trap Queen" |
| 2021 | BET Her Presents: The Waiting Room | Summer | Episode: "The Party" |
| 2021–2022 | First Wives Club | Jayla Wright | Main Cast: Season 2-3 |
Video Game
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | NBA 2K16 | Cee-Cee (voice) |
References
edit- ^ https://www.bet.com/article/03o0ow/soul-train-awards-2022-get-to-know-presenter-michelle-mitchenor
- ^ "45 Facts About Michelle Mitchenor". August 7, 2023.
- ^ "Meet Michelle Mitchenor, Star of Spike Lee's Chi-Raq". celebuzz.com. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ^ "Kristoffer Polaha and Michelle Mitchenor are set for roles on the upcoming TV remake of the Mel Gibson-Danny Glover film". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ "Always a Bridesmaid | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. December 26, 2019.
- ^ Petski, Denise (December 14, 2020). "'First Wives Club': Michelle Mitchenor Joins As New Series Regular, Four Cast In Recurring Roles".
- ^ Hailu, Selome (September 12, 2023). "BET+ Sets Fall Premiere Dates Including 'Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy' and 'First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story' (EXCLUSIVE)".
- ^ "Lethal Weapon's Michelle Mitchenor and Coley Mustafa Speaks Are Married!". Peoplemag.