Michelle Mitchenor

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).

Early life 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. She later went to Juilliard School and began appearing in web-series.

Career In 2015, Mitchenor made her big screen debut appearing in the Spike Lee’s musical-drama film, Chi-Raq. The following year, Mitchenor was cast as the regular role as Detective Sonya Bailey in the Fox action comedy-drama series, Lethal Weapon. 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. In 2021, she was cast in the BET+ comedy-drama series, First Wives Club. In 2023, Mitchenor played Tonesa Welch in the biographical crime drama film, First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story.

Personal life In 2018, Mitchenor married fellow actor, Mustafa Speaks.

Filmography

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