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IMDbPro

First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story

  • Video
  • 2023
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
145
YOUR RATING
First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story (2023)
BiographyDrama

Inspired by the true life of Detroit native Tonesa Welch. It charts Welch's rise from a teenager's mother to a drug dealer, she is referred to by federal prosecutors as "The First Lady of th... Read allInspired by the true life of Detroit native Tonesa Welch. It charts Welch's rise from a teenager's mother to a drug dealer, she is referred to by federal prosecutors as "The First Lady of the BMF"Inspired by the true life of Detroit native Tonesa Welch. It charts Welch's rise from a teenager's mother to a drug dealer, she is referred to by federal prosecutors as "The First Lady of the BMF"

  • Director
    • Vivica A. Fox
  • Writers
    • Gabrielle Collins
    • Tressa Azarel Smallwood
  • Stars
    • Leon
    • Michelle Mitchenor
    • Scott Swope
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    145
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Vivica A. Fox
    • Writers
      • Gabrielle Collins
      • Tressa Azarel Smallwood
    • Stars
      • Leon
      • Michelle Mitchenor
      • Scott Swope
    • 8User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Photos3

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    Top cast50

    Edit
    Leon
    Leon
    • Emerson
    Michelle Mitchenor
    Michelle Mitchenor
    • Tonesa Welch
    Scott Swope
    Scott Swope
    • Federal Agent
    Jessica 'Jess Hilarious' Moore
    Jessica 'Jess Hilarious' Moore
    • Lisa
    Tobias Truvillion
    Tobias Truvillion
    • Harvey
    Tristin Fazekas
    • Meech
    Daphnique Springs
    Daphnique Springs
    • Carla
    Kelsey Delemar
    • Waitress
    Anita Moore
    Anita Moore
    • FBI Agent
    Nadirah Shakir
    Nadirah Shakir
    • Agent Samuels
    Tonesa Welch
    • The Real Tonesa Welch
    Chris Wilson
    Chris Wilson
    • City Official
    Sharrie McCain
    Sharrie McCain
    • Female Prison Inmate
    Theresta Lanier
    • Detroit Award Attendees
    • (credit only)
    Morris D. Small
    Morris D. Small
    • Delivery Man
    Jamal Wright
    • Cato
    Jermaine Brown
    Jermaine Brown
    • Terry Flenory Lieutenant
    • (credit only)
    Chaz Riddle
    Chaz Riddle
    • Federal agent
    • Director
      • Vivica A. Fox
    • Writers
      • Gabrielle Collins
      • Tressa Azarel Smallwood
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    5.5145
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    Featured reviews

    4deseire

    She should have just stayed quiet or kept it in the book.

    She literally told the world she was stupid and didnt care about her kids. Pawning them off on her parents. Was a gold digger and took all the credit. This was the worst. I didnot know kellie played the mom. Leon always do him. Dude play Meech can only play thug roles. Love him. She truly never had her kids. I know whomever wrote this had to ask her did she really want to put thisout to the world. She the smartest and dumbest one. And the hardest out of all of them. She know everything but didn't know her son and nephews were in the game. She made Tee look so damn young and dumb. Terry, i get it.
    2robertpbukaty-98920

    Hustle and flow? They didn't show the hustle and the movie has NO FLOW

    The acting.... Mediocre at best. Growing up with ABC after school specials, they had 1000X better production quality! Still watching at this moment, but it is like nails on a chalkboard. Would rather be asleep or watching paint dry or grass grow! Guessing that any other production about BMF is nowhere near this bad! From the beginning, it is monotone. It continues to do so, I know we have too much gratuitous violence in entertainment, but even a little to show the reality of BMF. They ran the show in motor city and I guarantee it wasn't unicorns and rainbows, which is the air about this movie.
    10msjuliacarter

    "All money isn't good money," and that's the truth!

    As someone who works with young girls, I've seen how challenging it is to overcome the stigma of a criminal record.

    What I like most about the film is that it's not just about what went wrong. I work with young girls who have no clue about what they'll do after they get released. The First Lady of BMF was able to pick herself up and rebuild her life. Further, she put her hands down to lift others out of their unfortunate situation. That's almost unheard of, and I wish more men would follow her example.

    • Looking at you BMF


    I strongly recommend young black & brown women watch this movie and learn - we don't need more glamorous drug dealers... our urban communities have far too many of them, either incarcerated or deceased.
    10francoischristana

    There's consequences behind every decision!

    Some women are not ready to be mothers for a variety of reasons, including individual preferences, professional ambitions, financial concerns, and a perceived lack of a supporting partner. Tonesa was invited to a high-end lifestyle and accepted it without hesitation. She rapidly grew intrigued by "the game" and desired more. But, as a woman in a male-dominated world, she was told to remain in her place. As soon as the king fell, she resolved to take charge and put her thoughts into effect. She began climbing the ladder, taking over multiple territories, and she favor a new king to accompany her, Terry. She just didn't expect karma to bite her.
    2nilajablountofficial

    NOT GOOD

    This is a very long, drawn out movie for no reason. EVERYTHING was stretch. The acting, the scene set ups, directing, the script/dialogue...just not good what so ever. Currently still watching because it's like driving past a car accident....you just gotta get that good look to see exactly what happened. But this ish is horrible. Jess & Leon, & the Harvey actor (God Bless him) did what they needed to do...but the main chick...this was just not the role for her. I thought 50 cent was involved that's only reason why I clicked play...but nah. This ain't it. And First Lady of BMF?! Not with this!!

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      Featured in Number One on the Call Sheet: Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood (2025)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 5, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • MegaMind Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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