LaToya Tonodeo is an American actress best known for playing Diana Tejada in the Starz crime drama series Power Book II: Ghost.
Her career began in 2009 and grew steadily through television and film before reaching a wider audience with her role in the Power universe.
Who is Latoya Tonodeo?
LaToya Tonodeo is an American actress from Los Angeles, California, who has built her career through television roles spanning over a decade.
She first gained industry attention through her work on The Oath and The Fosters.
Her profile rose significantly after joining the cast of Power Book II: Ghost in 2020, where she appeared in 40 episodes across the full run of the series.
Tonodeo has been active in Hollywood since 2009. She describes her influences as her mother, her late grandmother, her best friend, and legendary singer and actress Mary J. Blige.
Early Life of Latoya Tonodeo
LaToya Tonodeo grew up in Los Angeles, California, a city known for its vibrant arts and entertainment scene.
Her upbringing in a culturally diverse environment shaped her interest in performing from a young age.
She took drama classes as a child and developed a passion for acting early in life. Her mother has been cited as one of her most important personal influences.
Details about her father and siblings have not been publicly confirmed. Her parents’ identities remain private, and she has kept much of her family background out of the public eye.
Latoya Tonodeo Age / Birthday
LaToya Tonodeo is 29 years old as of 2026, born on April 23, 1997. Her zodiac sign is Taurus, a sign often associated with determination and a strong work ethic.
She has remained consistently active in the industry since her debut at age 12.
Latoya Tonodeo Ethnicity and Nationality
LaToya Tonodeo holds American nationality, born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is of African American descent.
Her cultural background has been part of her personal identity, and she has spoken openly about the women who shaped her, including her mother and her late grandmother.
Latoya Tonodeo Height and Weight
LaToya Tonodeo stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, which is approximately 1.63 meters. Her weight is reported at around 55 kg or 121 lbs.
She carries a slim build and brings a strong physical presence to her on-screen roles.
Latoya Tonodeo Career
LaToya Tonodeo began her acting career in 2009 and built up her credits steadily through the 2010s.
Before landing her breakthrough role, she took any part available, auditioning consistently and working across film and television.
She has described her pre-Ghost years as a constant grind. Her willingness to put in that groundwork paid off when the right opportunity arrived.
Early Career (2009–2017)
Tonodeo made her screen debut in 2009 in the TV movie Becoming Pony Boi, playing a party girl. She was 12 years old at the time.
Over the following years, she took on supporting roles in several projects. In 2015, she appeared in the comedy film Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 as a lady in the casino.
That same year, she appeared in the short film The Last Straw as Sonia and in Dutch Hollow as Jasmine Pierce.
In 2016, she had a small part in The Perfect Match as a bridesmaid. These early roles kept her visible in the industry and gave her the experience she needed for larger opportunities ahead.
Breakthrough with The Oath (2018–2019)
Tonodeo’s first significant television role came in 2018 when she joined the Sony/Crackle crime drama The Oath as Tara Byrd.
She appeared in five episodes across both seasons of the series, which ran from 2018 to 2019.
The Oath was produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and also starred Tiffany Haddish.
Working on the show allowed Tonodeo to build a professional relationship with Jackson, which would later prove pivotal.
Also in 2018, she appeared in two episodes of The Fosters as a character named Ashley. She also had a role in The Head Thieves that same year.
Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2024)
After working on The Oath, Tonodeo approached 50 Cent at the premiere of its second season in 2019 and made her interest in his other projects known. That bold move led to her auditioning for Power Book II: Ghost.
During her audition, she delivered part of her lines in Spanish to reflect the Tejada family’s cultural background. The approach worked, and she landed the role of Diana Tejada.
Power Book II: Ghost debuted on Starz in 2020 as the first spinoff of the flagship series Power.
Tonodeo played Diana Tejada, the youngest child of Monet and Lorenzo Tejada, across all four seasons and 40 episodes.
Mary J. Blige portrayed her on-screen mother, Monet Tejada. Blige praised Tonodeo publicly for her eagerness and ability to apply direction in real time on set.
Diana began the series as the sheltered and often underestimated youngest sibling in a drug trafficking family.
Over successive seasons, the character evolved into a more independent and assertive figure navigating both the family’s criminal world and her own ambitions.
Tonodeo described the mother-daughter dynamic between Diana and Monet as highly relatable to many young women.
The character’s arc drew praise from critics and built a loyal fan following.
The series ran through 2024, with Tonodeo appearing in all 40 episodes across the show’s full run.
Latoya Tonodeo Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Becoming Pony Boi | Party Girl | TV Movie |
| 2015 | Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 | Lady in Casino | Film |
| 2015 | The Last Straw | Sonia | Short Film |
| 2015 | Dutch Hollow | Jasmine Pierce | Film |
| 2016 | The Perfect Match | Bridesmaid 1 | Film |
| 2018 | The Head Thieves | Jordan | Film |
| 2018 | The Fosters | Ashley | TV Series (2 eps) |
| 2018–2019 | The Oath | Tara Byrd | TV Series (5 eps) |
| 2020–2024 | Power Book II: Ghost | Diana Tejada | TV Series (40 eps) |
| 2025 | The Newlyweds: Blood at the Altar | Tia Witherspoon | Short Film |
Latoya Tonodeo Husband
LaToya Tonodeo married fellow actor Arlen Escarpeta on June 29, 2025. The ceremony took place at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California, in an intimate oceanside setting with 48 guests.
The couple met through mutual friends in Los Angeles while both were working as actors. Their first unofficial date was at the gym, something they only acknowledged later when playing a dating game with friends.
Escarpeta proposed on New Year’s Eve, gathering their family and friends in secret as LaToya closed her eyes during a prayer and affirmation ritual.
When she opened her eyes, the room was full of loved ones, and Arlen got down on one knee. She said yes.
They became engaged on December 31, 2021, and had been dating since 2014. The two appeared together professionally on The Oath, where Escarpeta played Damon Byrd while Tonodeo played Tara Byrd.
The wedding was an unplugged ceremony, reflecting the couple’s preference for keeping their personal lives private.
LaToya wore a ballgown by Nicole + Felicia Couture. The couple plan a larger celebration for their wider circle of family and cast mates.
Arlen Escarpeta was previously married to actress Benita Krista Nall from 2011 to 2012.
He is a Belizean-American actor known for his role as Samuel Walker in the NBC series American Dreams and for appearing in Final Destination 5.
Latoya Tonodeo Net Worth
LaToya Tonodeo’s estimated net worth is $2 million as of 2026. Her income comes primarily from her acting career, which spans over fifteen years of film and television work.
Her most significant earning role has been Diana Tejada in Power Book II: Ghost, where she appeared across 40 episodes from 2020 to 2024.
Her earlier television credits on The Oath and The Fosters also contributed to her professional profile and industry standing.
She has also earned from modeling work and brand activity connected to her social media presence.
Tonodeo has an active Instagram following and maintains visibility on multiple platforms, which supports additional income opportunities beyond her acting credits.
Latoya Tonodeo Social Media
LaToya Tonodeo is active on both Instagram and Twitter under the handle @toyofficial.
She uses both platforms to share updates about her work and personal life, including news about her marriage to Arlen Escarpeta.
She and her husband keep much of their relationship private on social media by personal choice.
As she described it, their low-key approach is simply who they are, not a deliberate policy.
Conclusion
LaToya Tonodeo spent over a decade building her career through small but consistent roles before landing Diana Tejada, the part that earned her recognition across four seasons of Power Book II: Ghost.
Her June 2025 marriage to Arlen Escarpeta and her continued work in front of the camera mark a new chapter in both her personal and professional life.