Joyful Drake

Biography

Joyful Drake, the much-loved Tasha on the iconic BET comedy series “Let’s Stay Together” is on the scene in a big way. In addition to a recurring role in Starz’s “P-Valley,” she also leads the eight-episode upcoming drama series “HUSH” for streamer ALLBLK. Creator Angela Burd Murray describes the series as, “a sexy drama about four dynamic women who will stop at nothing to get what they want.”

Drake starred opposite DJ Qualls in November Rule, opposite Ryan Phillippe in Catch Hell and was Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ girlfriend in Judd Apatow’s Get Him to the Greek. Other notable film roles include Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah, Phat Girlz with Mo’Nique and she starred as a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship in the independent drama feature Bad Ass opposite Danny Trejo and Ving Rhames. Drake has also guest starred in television episodes of “Jane the Virgin,” “One on One,” “Cuts,” “The Game,” “The Exes” and “The Quads.”

Born and raised in Milwaukee and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Drake is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. While in college, she experienced her first brush with the entertainment industry. For two and-a-half years she had an exciting time as a dancer for the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. She remains an avid fan and also loves the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. After graduation, she moved to New York to pursue an acting career. Her first job was a recurring role on the hit Showtime series “Soul Food.”

Drake makes her home in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter Beau.

Known For

Phat Girlz

Bad Ass

Unthinkably Good Things

Catch Hell

Tournament of Dreams

Chasing Waterfalls

Filmography

2023 A Dark Way Out

as Justine

2022 Hush

as Draya Logan

2022 Unthinkably Good Things

as Melina

2022 All American: Homecoming

as Pamela Mays

2020 P-Valley

as Chanisse

2017 The Quad

as Venus Hardwick

2016 Lethal Weapon

as Tanya

2016 Chasing Waterfalls

as Doreen

2015 November Rule

as Jean Worther

2014 Jane the Virgin

as Dr. Bolton

2014 Catch Hell

as Diane

2012 Bad Ass

as Amber Lamps

2011 The Exes

as Carol

2011 Let's Stay Together

as Tasha Woodson

2010 Get Him to the Greek

as Sergio's Baby Mama

2007 Tournament of Dreams

as Capricorn

2006 The Game

as Sheila

2006 Phat Girlz

as Mia

2005 Beauty Shop

as Mercedes

2005 Cuts

as Lani