Interest in the true-life crime story of the rise of Detroit’s biggest drug operation, the Black Mafia Family, has only increased with the Starz series BMF. But, one of the organization’s key figures felt her story and character were portrayed inaccurately.
Tonesa Welch is considered the First Lady of BMF, and a new BET+ biopic, First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story, aims to give you the real story of Welch’s tumultuous rise through the ranks and becoming entangled in Detroit’s drug world. The film marks the directorial debut of actress and producer Vivica A. Fox.
Michelle Mitchenor stars as Welch; her journey is a roller-coaster ride through the world of crime, drugs, infidelity, deception, and, ultimately, redemption.
One of the key aspects that sets First Lady of BMF apart is its commitment to telling the story with authenticity and accuracy. The real-life Welch shared with EUR her reason for wanting to share her life, “my transition, just the way I came from the street world to my journey to where I’m at today, what I’m working on today. I changed my life. Most people don’t get that opportunity. We don’t get those second chances.”
The film’s executive producer, Tressa Smallwood, elaborated on the importance of portraying Tonesa’s story accurately, “the main thing was that we wanted to tell Tonesa’s story accurately because she had been portrayed so inaccurately, that it was a beautiful challenge for all of us involved.”
The film is a period piece that spans multiple decades, from 1980s Detroit to Los Angeles in the 2000s. Capturing the essence of each era was a significant challenge but one that the team embraced wholeheartedly. According to Fox, “the telephones, cars, and hairdos, those were the three things we had to ensure that we got right absolutely.”
Ensuring authenticity in every detail, the crew worked meticulously to recreate the look and feel of each period. Welch was crucial in providing insights into those times’ fashion, lifestyle, and culture.
Welch’s story not only delves into her life but also involves the experiences of her family members and children. Welch said she took great care in involving her family in the storytelling process, “I started back when I did Trap Queens. It was like a family meeting to say, ‘hey, I’m gonna tell this story.’”
The audience’s reaction at a recent screening left them overwhelmed with emotion. Fox shared, “the other night, the two ladies had a screen, and Tressa sent me the audience’s reaction, and it just touched my heart.”
The film also features Tobias Truvillian, Leon, Jess Hilarious, and Kellie Shanygne Williams.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Listen to her live, weeknights 9 PM-Midnight on KBLA Talk 1580. You can follow her on all social media @StilettoJill or check out JillMunroe.com
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