The Dual Life of Temi Fagbenle: Defying the Single-Lane Narrative
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
As a center for the Toronto Tempo and a cast member in an upcoming Hollywood blockbuster, Fagbenle challenges the expectation that professional athletes must choose one identity.
Most professional sports figures maintain hobbies, but few bridge the gap between a WNBA court and a major Hollywood set. Temi Fagbenle is doing exactly that.
According to reporting from BlogTO, Fagbenle is a six-foot-five center for the Toronto Tempo. Acquired via free agency before the team's first WNBA season, the 33-year-old has averaged four rebounds and nearly seven points in eight games. Toronto Tempo fans will also see her on the court at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
BlogTO reports that she has secured a supporting role in an upcoming adventure-fantasy film based on Tomi Adeyemi's 2018 Afro-fantasy novel, "Children of Blood and Bone." The production, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, features a high-profile ensemble including Viola Davis, Idris Elba, and Cynthia Erivo. While the specific details of her role remain undisclosed, BlogTO notes rumors that Fagbenle will portray a brand-new character who plays a significant part in the story.
BlogTO highlights that Fagbenle and the novel's author, Tomi Adeyemi, both attended Harvard University from 2011 to 2015.
The story of "Children of Blood and Bone" follows Zélie Adebola, a young woman attempting to recover stolen magic within a mythical African kingdom.
The film is slated for a North American theatrical release on Jan. 15, 2027.