Moni Ogunsuyi is making waves in the acting world, and her latest project, Taken at a Basketball Game, is set to leave a lasting impact. Premiering on Lifetime on March 15, the film is inspired by true events and dives into the harrowing reality of human trafficking. In an exclusive interview with Pop Culture Unplugged, Moni opened up about her journey from modeling and pageants to landing major roles in hit shows like The Boys, Handmaid’s Tale, and Chucky, and what it was like stepping into the role of Splendid in this intense drama.
From Pageants to the Screen: Moni’s Unexpected Acting Journey
Moni’s career started in the world of pageants, where she competed in Miss Universe Canada. However, a chance suggestion led her to explore background acting, which ultimately changed the course of her career.
“I never thought I was good enough to be an actor,” Moni admitted. “One of my pageant sisters told me to try background acting, and I initially resisted. But a year later, I gave it a shot, and within two and a half months, I got my first line on Disney Zombies. That moment changed everything for me.”
After her first taste of acting, Moni’s career took off. She booked roles on Handmaid’s Tale, Umbrella Academy, Chucky, and more. But the journey wasn’t easy—she recalled a critical moment when she almost gave up.
“I went through months of auditions and rejections. I was ready to quit. Then, within one week, I booked Handmaid’s Tale and Umbrella Academy. That was my sign to keep going.”
Landing Taken at a Basketball Game
Despite her growing success, Moni had actually planned to take a break from acting before she landed her latest role.
“I told my agent I needed a break. Then he calls and says, ‘How about a booking?’ I was shocked. This project felt like a gift—it found me when I needed it.”
Moni plays Splendid, a woman with a tough past who gets caught up in the search for a missing girl. Her character is complex, balancing a hardened exterior with deep wounds from her past.
“She has two different personas—one she presents to the world and her true self underneath,” Moni explained. “I wanted to be very respectful in portraying her struggles and show that despite her past, she’s trying to help.”
Working with D.B. Woodside and Tackling Real-Life Issues
In the film, Moni stars alongside D.B. Woodside, who plays Wayne, a father searching for his kidnapped daughter.
“Working with D.B. was a dream. He has so much knowledge and gave me great advice—he even encouraged me to try theater to sharpen my craft,” Moni said. “His character’s love for his daughter was such a powerful thing to witness, and I think Splendid saw that as well. She saw the love she never had, and in a way, helping Wayne was healing for her.”
The film doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, shedding light on the dangers of human trafficking.
“I hope this movie opens people’s eyes to how easily these things can happen. It can be anyone, anywhere. It’s not always some suspicious figure in a dark alley—it can happen in broad daylight. If this film can raise awareness and start conversations, then we’ve done something important.”
What’s Next for Moni?
Moni is keeping busy—she just appeared in another Lifetime film, The Last Woman Who Lived Here, and has a major project on the horizon.
“I can vaguely tell you that I did a couple of episodes of Welcome to Derry, which is coming to HBO. That’s all I can say for now,” she teased.
As for her future? Moni is open to exploring more Lifetime films and even has dreams of branching into theater.
“I love working with Lifetime. They’ve been amazing to me, and I’d love to continue doing projects with them. And yes, maybe I’ll take D.B.’s advice and try theater—it’s something I’ve been thinking about.”
Final Thoughts
With Taken at a Basketball Game, Moni Ogunsuyi delivers a powerful performance in a film that tackles a heartbreaking but important issue. Her journey from pageants to acting is proof that sometimes, taking a chance can lead to incredible opportunities.
Catch Taken at a Basketball Game on Lifetime on March 15, and be sure to follow Moni’s journey on Instagram at @moni.ogunsuyi.