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
OccupationActress
Years active2014–present
Spouse
Mustafa Speaks
(m. 2018)

Early life

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Mitchenor 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

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In 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

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In 2018, Mitchenor married fellow actor, Mustafa Speaks.[8]

Filmography

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Film

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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

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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

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Year Title Role Notes
2015 NBA 2K16 Cee-Cee (voice)

References

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  1. ^ https://www.bet.com/article/03o0ow/soul-train-awards-2022-get-to-know-presenter-michelle-mitchenor
  2. ^ "45 Facts About Michelle Mitchenor". August 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Meet Michelle Mitchenor, Star of Spike Lee's Chi-Raq". celebuzz.com. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Always a Bridesmaid | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. December 26, 2019.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (December 14, 2020). "'First Wives Club': Michelle Mitchenor Joins As New Series Regular, Four Cast In Recurring Roles".
  7. ^ 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)".
  8. ^ "Lethal Weapon's Michelle Mitchenor and Coley Mustafa Speaks Are Married!". Peoplemag.
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