First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story- Interview

“First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story,” premiered on BET+ last week. Tonesa Welch, a woman from a middle-class background who grew up in 1980s Detroit, becomes fascinated by the allure and excitement of the drug trade. Her inspiration comes from a true-life story. Tonesa meets H, a sophisticated and experienced leader of a drug organization, who introduces her to a life of luxury. However, when H is imprisoned, Tonesa discovers a new sense of purpose by developing a strong and meaningful connection with a trustworthy and dependable companion named Southwest T. They unite their efforts to establish a notorious drug empire, which leads Tonesa down a dark path of crime, drug abuse, infidelity, deception, and ultimately, an opportunity for redemption. 

During a press day before the film premiered, I had the privilege of interviewing Vivica A. Fox, the director, Tressa Smallwood, the executive producer, and Tonesa Welch, the inspiration behind the film. 

“I didn’t hesitate for a moment. I knew it immediately. At that time, I had limited knowledge about Tonesa. I had just finished watching her episode on BMF. I had the opportunity to have a phone call with Judge Mathis,” Smallwood replied. During their conversation Judge Greg Mathis had told him about his experiences growing up in Detroit, connection with Tonesa, and some of the other woman featured in the film. After gaining a deeper understanding of Tonesa’s experiences and her significant contributions to BMF, she realized that it was now the perfect moment to share and amplify the story of a black woman. 

Vivica A. Fox mentioned that someone began sharing with her the story of how the depiction of Tonesa in the BMF series was not accurate. Upon receiving and accepting the project, Tressa quickly realized that Vivica was the perfect director for the job. Both women recognized this as a chance to infuse a project with the power and collaboration of black girl magic, while staying true to the experiences of a black woman. “When I was analyzing the script as a director, I was curious about her motivation,” Fox explained. The remarkable aspect was Tonesa’s ability to not only survive but also thrive despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life. 

For Tonesa, the importance of the story was not just its accuracy, but also its ability to serve as an example for others. “When I reflect on it, I am truly amazed. I was a hot mess,” Welch said. From beginning to the end of the film, we witness Tonesa experiencing the highs and lows of life, just like we all do. She experienced betrayal, physical abuse, infidelity, and neglect. Despite facing numerous challenges, she never lost hope and persevered in her efforts to have a better life for her family and uplift those around her.  

“I got a second chance, and now I’m on cloud nine doing this thing called life. I’m just moving forward “I am simply moving forward,” stated Welch. This is the legacy she wishes to impart upon us, and it serves as the overarching purpose of the film. She aims to empower women by helping them recognize their own power, intelligence, and the importance of their voices. In the film it becomes evident that numerous unfortunate situations arose due to the disregard and lack of trust in her instincts by the men in her life. The film explores themes of redemption and prompts viewers to reflect on the extent to which we surrender our power due to others’ failure to acknowledge it or their deliberate efforts to belittle us.