UPDATED WITH TRAILER.
“First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story” is set to premiere on October 5th. This biopic marks Vivica A. Fox’s directorial debut and is based on the real-life story of Tonesa Welch, portrayed by Michelle Mitchenor. Welch, a Detroit native from the 1980s, became known for building a prominent drug empire.
The film also stars Tobias Truvillion, Leon, Jessica “Jess Hilarious” Moore, Kellie Williams, Tristin Fazekas, Faith Malonte, and Daphnique Springs. Gabrielle Collins wrote the screenplay, and it’s produced by MegaMind Media, with executive producers Tressa Smallwood and Judge Greg Mathis.
The movie explores Tonesa Welch’s life during the crack era in Detroit and the broader context of America’s “war on drugs.” It touches on themes of wealth, remorse, personal responsibility, and redemption. Tristin Fazekas plays the role of Meech. The story follows Tonesa’s journey from a young woman in 1980s Detroit seduced by the drug trade’s allure to her eventual partnership with Terry Flenory, also known as Southwest T, portrayed by Faith Malonte, after Harry’s incarceration.
Check out a first look at Michelle Mitchenor as Tonesa Welch in the trailer for the film below.
Tonesa Welch’s story gained attention through the BET+ series ‘American Gangster: Trap Queens’ and inspired a character in the Starz series BMF. However, Welch expressed her dissatisfaction with the portrayal of her character in BMF, particularly involving inappropriate content with a minor. This new biopic aims to provide a more accurate account of why she was labeled “The First Lady of BMF” by federal authorities.
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