Shalèt Monique never planned to be an actress. After being laid off from her first teaching job, she asked God for direction. The answer came unexpectedly through a church message and a chance to act in Somethin’ in the Water, a short film that went on to win Best Short at the Newark International Film Festival. “That’s when I realized storytelling could change lives,” she says.
Raised in New Jersey by way of Philadelphia, Shalèt calls her journey a “Philly to Jersey to Hollywood pipeline.” She endured countless rejections before landing her first network role on HBO’s We Own This City, followed by a lead role in BET Her’s The Pink Fight.
Now, she stars as Rayah Dunham in Tyler Perry’s Netflix drama Straw, a breakout role she nearly missed. “I was on a school bus with my students when I found out I booked the lead—I screamed, and they all cheered.”
A former educator and trained stunt performer, Shalèt brings empathy, strength, and authenticity to every project. “Whether I’m in the classroom or on set, I show up as myself. And that’s been enough.”
With faith as her guide and a growing list of credits, Shalèt Monique is more than a rising star—she’s a storyteller with purpose.
Watch Straw’s Trailer below:
