If you’ve spent any time on Starz lately, you already know the face. LaToya Tonodeo hasn't just joined the Power universe; she basically set the whole thing on fire. Most people recognize her as Diana Tejada, the strategic and often underestimated daughter of Monet Tejada, played by the legendary Mary J. Blige. But if you think her career started and ended at the dinner table where she famously spilled all the family tea, you’re missing out on a decade of "grind, prayer, and affirmations."
It’s actually kinda wild how long she’s been in the game. LaToya didn't just wake up one day as a TV star. She’s been popping up in your favorite movies and shows for years, often in roles you might have blinked and missed.
The Breakout: How Power Book II: Ghost Changed Everything
Honestly, Diana Tejada is a vibe. She’s stylish, she’s book smart, but she’s also got that street-level ruthlessness that makes the Tejada family so terrifying. Before Power Book II: Ghost premiered in 2020, LaToya Tonodeo was a working actress with some solid credits, but this was the big one. This was the "breakout."
She actually manifested this role. Literally. LaToya has mentioned in interviews that she had the Power franchise and Starz on her vision board before the spinoff was even a thing. When the original show ended, she was worried she’d missed her shot to work with Courtney A. Kemp and 50 Cent. Then came the audition for Diana. She walked into a room full of producers, including Kemp and Anthony Hemingway, and just crushed it.
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The dynamic she shares with Mary J. Blige is one of the best parts of the show. It’s a messy, high-stakes mother-daughter relationship that feels incredibly real, even when they’re talking about moving product or covering up murders. LaToya has described Diana as a "chameleon" who can navigate the Ivy League world of Stansfield and the dark corners of the drug game.
LaToya Tonodeo Movies and TV Shows: The Complete List
If you’re looking to binge-watch her work, you’ve got more than just the Power universe to explore. Her filmography stretches back further than most fans realize.
Television Credits
- Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2024): Her most iconic role to date as Diana Tejada.
- The Oath (2018–2019): She played Tara Byrd in this Sony Crackle series, which was also produced by 50 Cent. It’s actually where she first met him at a premiere and told him she wanted to be in his next project.
- The Fosters (2018): A recurring role as Ashley. This was a pivotal moment for her, showing she could handle grounded, character-driven drama.
- Noches con Platanito (2016): An appearance on the popular Spanish-language variety talk show.
Movie Credits
- The Perfect Match (2016): She played Bridesmaid #1. It’s a smaller part, but she shared the screen with Terrence J and Cassie in this Bille Woodruff-directed rom-com.
- The Head Thieves (2016): A role as Jordan in this independent crime comedy.
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015): You might spot her as "Lady in the Casino."
- Fast & Furious (2009): Believe it or not, she has an uncredited role as a "Bar Girl" in the fourth installment of the franchise.
- The Last Straw (2014): A role as Sonia.
- Dutch Hollow (2015): She played Jasmine in this mystery thriller.
From The Fosters to The Oath: The Road to Success
One thing that’s really cool about LaToya is her transparency about the struggle. Before landing Ghost, she was auditioning like crazy. She missed the season one premiere of The Oath because she was busy filming The Fosters. It’s a reminder that what we see as "overnight success" is usually years of small wins and "almost" moments.
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Working on The Oath was a huge turning point. It put her in the orbit of Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. She’s told the story before about how she saw him at the season two premiere and congratulated him on getting the rights to the BMF story. She didn't have a role in BMF yet, but she planted the seed. She basically told him, "I want to be a part of whatever you're doing next." That kind of boldness is exactly what Diana Tejada would do.
What’s Next for LaToya in 2026?
With Power Book II: Ghost having wrapped up its final season in late 2024, everyone is asking: what’s next?
She’s mentioned in recent chats that she’s currently developing her own projects. She’s not just waiting for the phone to ring; she’s moving into the producer space. There’s also been a ton of fan chatter about her joining the Marvel or DC universes. She’s explicitly said she wants to play a superhero. Given her physical training and the stunts she’s handled in the Power world, it’s not a stretch at all.
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Actually, during the 2026 awards season, LaToya has been a fixture on the red carpets. She’s become a bit of a fashion icon, often making the "best dressed" lists at events like the Golden Globes. It’s clear the industry sees her as more than just a "TV actress." She’s a brand.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following LaToya's career or trying to build your own, there are some pretty clear takeaways from her journey:
- Stay in Class: Even after booking major roles, LaToya still advocates for acting classes. She says you need a coach who won't "baby your feelings."
- Manifestation + Work: She used vision boards, but she also used her voice. If she hadn't approached 50 Cent at that premiere, who knows if the Ghost audition would have gone the same way?
- Versatility is Key: She transitioned from uncredited roles in action movies to leading a crime drama. Don't look down on the "Bridesmaid #1" roles; they build the resume.
- Watch the Gems: If you’ve only seen her in Power, go back and find The Oath. It’s a grittier look at her range and shows how she developed the "tough girl" persona she perfected as Diana.
LaToya Tonodeo is proof that the "slow and steady" approach still works in Hollywood. She didn't skip steps. She did the uncredited background work, the bit parts in rom-coms, and the recurring roles on cable TV. By the time Diana Tejada walked onto the screen, LaToya was ready for the spotlight.
Keep an eye out for her production credits in the coming year. She’s transitioning from being the talent to being the boss, and if her past is any indication, she’s going to kill it.