In Lifetime’s powerful new drama Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story, premiering Saturday, April 12 at 8/7c, actress, writer, and acting coach Tiffany Black delivers an emotionally charged performance as Elizabeth — the woman who raised Monique Smith, only for it to be revealed that she wasn’t her biological mother. The film, based on Monique’s real-life memoir, traces a journey of abuse and identity, giving voice to the kind of trauma that often goes unspoken.
For Tiffany Black, stepping into Elizabeth’s shoes was more than an acting gig. It was a responsibility.
“I saw that it was a period piece, and that’s what I loved first,” she shares. I get to play in a world I never lived in. So I started immersing myself in the time period with music from the ’70s and was intentional about the look and tone of my audition tape.”
Elizabeth is not your typical antagonist. She is a woman weighed down by decades of generational trauma, circumstance, and pain — a complexity that Tiffany took seriously in her preparation.
“I was always looking for ways to shine light on Elizabeth because, a lot of times, we see her in darkness,” Tiffany explains. “She does things that people can’t relate to — things that might be judged harshly. But I never wanted to judge her. I approached her with empathy.”
Throughout the film, viewers watch Elizabeth move through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s — each decade leaving its mark. Tiffany’s performance grounds the character in a deeper context of what Black womanhood, motherhood, and survival looked like across those eras.
“Our parents weren’t doing the inner work that we’re doing today. I had to ask myself: what kind of life is Elizabeth living? What job is she working? What pressures does she face that make a Friday night card game with family so sacred — and its interruption so devastating?”
While Elizabeth’s actions are not excused, Tiffany’s portrayal refuses to flatten her into a villain. Instead, she dares to ask why. That nuance was strengthened by speaking directly with the real Monique Smith — whose relentless pursuit of truth inspired Tiffany deeply.
“I told Monique, I’m so proud of you for never settling,” she says. “I have the space to consider Elizabeth in ways you may not be able to — but I promise to honor your story by telling all sides of it.”
Despite the emotional weight of the role, Tiffany found light between the takes.
“The scenes where I had to put my hands on the child — those were especially hard,” she admits. “I love kids. So I was checking in with the young actress constantly, making sure she felt safe, empowered, and heard. We were all committed to creating a nurturing environment on set.” Balancing the darkness required real self-care. “I had to remember that I love acting, even when it gets heavy,” Tiffany says. “ In between filming, I leaned on joy — seeing family, doing fun things, returning to myself.
Tiffany Black’s performance in Not My Family isn’t just layered — it’s a mirror held up to the complexity of motherhood, mental health, and Black family dynamics. As a multi-hyphenate — actress, writer, and acting coach (most recently serving as SZA’s coach in One of Them Days) — Tiffany is passionate about telling stories that matter.
“This film is bigger than a movie,” she says. “It’s a conversation starter — about healing, about identity, about what we pass down and what we choose to stop passing down.”
Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story stars Yaya DaCosta (also serving as Executive Producer), Robert Hamilton III, Solace Kimbro Jones, Kadeem Isaiah, and Morgan Rose-Jordan. The film is directed by Tailiah Breon with a script by Sylvia Jones and is produced by Undaunted Content in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment. Catch the premiere Saturday, April 12 at 8/7c on Lifetime. You won’t just witness a story — you’ll feel every layer of it.
