When it comes to finding fame in Hollywood, those on their way to the top will never forget that first big break. For Harlem actress Shoniqua Shandai, that moment came 15 years ago with her “breakout” role in the Jennifer Lopez-starring 2010 romantic comedy, The Back-up Plan. Of course, the role in question was more or less a non-speaking part as a movie extra.
See if you can spot her in the film clip below. We’ll give you a hint: she’s wearing pink.
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Her career has officially kickstarted in the time since as a lead in the aforementioned Amazon Prime drama series that had a respectable three-season run, in addition to the 2023 thriller Wake co-starring J. Alphonse Nicholson (P-Valley, DC’s upcoming series Lanterns) and a dual career as a burgeoning singer. Looking back with all the laughs, Shoniqua remembers fondly of a time when even the smallest role on the farthest corner of the screen felt like an A-list moment worthy of a golden dress and an afterparty. We’re just glad to see her star is steadily on the rise.