A Rising Star with a Message
Joy Sunday, the 28-year-old actress known for her role as Bianca Barclay in Netflix's "Wednesday," has been making waves in Hollywood. Born in September 1996, she was raised in Staten Island, New York, by parents who moved from Nigeria to the United States in the 1970s. Her journey into the world of performing arts began with a love for reading, which she inherited from her father. "I would read books to imaginary kids in my room," she shared in an interview with Glamour. "That's where I learned my first sense of pacing, character, and presence."
Educational Background and Early Career
Sunday attended LaGuardia High School, a prestigious performing arts school in New York, where she had the opportunity to study alongside notable alumni such as Timothée Chalamet and Nicki Minaj. However, she revealed that the school wasn't always supportive of Black and Brown students. This experience led her to develop stage fright, which eventually caused her to quit acting for a while.
Instead of giving up on her passion, she turned to filmmaking. She enrolled at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, where she graduated with honors in critical studies. During her time there, she produced several short films and directed two. Her transition back to acting came after graduation when she made her TV debut in 2018 with a minor role on CBS's "MacGyver." Since then, she has appeared in productions like Hulu's "Bad Hair" and Netflix's "Dear White People."
Challenges in the Industry
Despite her growing success, Sunday has faced significant challenges in the entertainment industry. She expressed frustration over the lack of opportunities available to people of color. "It was during the pandemic, and I wasn't getting any work. It was just such an uphill battle," she said in an interview with Glamour. "Two weeks prior, I had a call with my agent and said, 'I'm going to end this. I'm done.'" However, things changed when she auditioned for the role of Bianca Barclay in "Wednesday" and landed the part.
The Role of Bianca Barclay
In the second season of "Wednesday," viewers get to see a different side of Bianca Barclay, played by Sunday. In the first season, Bianca and Wednesday started off on the wrong foot after a fencing match. Now, Sunday reveals that audiences will gain a deeper understanding of Bianca's vulnerabilities and insecurities. "The Bianca that I met when I first got the script versus who she is now - there's such a difference," she explained. "In season one, she's kind of built a wall and acts as if she doesn't need anything. But now we get to understand ... the vulnerability and insecurities that she's facing."
The Impact of "Wednesday"
The show's immense success has brought attention to Sunday's talent, but she still faces the challenges of an industry that often overlooks people of color. "I didn't book another job between 'Wednesday' and this other show I've just wrapped. That was tough for me to reconcile, because you're on this huge Netflix show, so you're supposed to be getting stuff handed to you," she said. "I am just so tired of this industry being underhanded with folks who look like me ... You're watching other people get stuff handed to them, and it's not like my work is sh**."
Looking Ahead
As the second season of "Wednesday" continues to captivate audiences, Joy Sunday remains a powerful voice in the conversation about representation and equity in Hollywood. Her journey from a young girl reading to imaginary friends in her room to a rising star on one of the most popular shows on Netflix is a testament to her resilience and dedication. With her continued efforts to break barriers and challenge the status quo, Sunday is paving the way for future generations of actors of color.