WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown 

For The Chronicle  

At the early age of four years old, Sonmonyiaca McKoy dreamed of becoming a singer. It was her grandmother who first noticed her amazing talent. “When we used to be at the house singing, she’s the one who really encouraged me,” said Sonmonyiaca. “After I did a solo at school, she said, ‘You need to be singing at church. You need to go solo.’ So, she spoke to the church, and that’s how I ended up singing at church. Miss Pearline gave me that first solo. My grandparents were the ones who really pushed me to follow what I felt God was calling me to do.” 

While still in elementary school, Sonmonyiaca began living a dream that many adult performers spend years chasing in the entertainment industry. Between the ages of six and eight, she landed the lead role of Sapphire in the stage production “The Bridegroom,” a moment that marked the beginning of her rising star. The spotlight found her early, and things were already looking bright for the young performer. 

As a teenager, her personal journey began to test both her faith and whether singing was truly her calling. It was one of her favorite gospel artists that gave her hope again. “Fred Hammond released this album, I think it was around 2002, and I’ll never forget how it impacted me. I was lying face down on the floor in front of my stereo, just crying. It wasn’t just sadness; it was a deep, spiritual release. I remember saying, ‘God, I feel you and I hear you.’ That moment was so real, and so raw.  

“From that day forward, I’ve had such a deep love and respect for Fred Hammond. That entire album truly got me through one of the toughest seasons of my life. I was young, and I knew God had called me to something greater, something spiritual, but I didn’t fully understand how to handle it or why things were happening the way they were. That music gave me comfort, direction, and hope when I needed it most.”  

McKoy began singing at local churches and community events, and it didn’t take long for word to spread that she was a rising star. Soon, the invitations started pouring in. In her late 20s, Sonmonyiaca McKoy set her eyes on one of the biggest stages in every aspiring singer’s career, America’s Got Talent! Where the stage is crowded with thousands of aspiring singers, and the competition is fierce. This would turn out to be one of the most challenging moments in her life – spiritually, personally and professionally.  

She boarded a train in North Carolina, heart full of hope and eyes set on New York, where her dream was waiting. “I had to go to New York because that’s where the audition was. I didn’t have the means to get there myself, but this incredibly kind family, the Walkers, stepped in and covered the cost. They believed in me enough to buy me a train ticket. I’ll never forget that.” 

McKoy was determined to rise above the noise of doubt. “By the time I made it to what I think was the fifth, sixth, or maybe even the seventh round of auditions, it got real technical. I walked into this room filled with rows of computers and people just sitting there, focused on every audition. Once you make it past that stage, you’re moved to another room; but this time, it’s different. For this particular round, you have to bring your own band, choose your own music, and basically put on a full performance,” said an intense Sonmonyiaca. 

The setup and the vibe were intense! America’s Got Talent computers captured her tone, pitch and every single detail that came through the mic. They weren’t just listening, they were analyzing. Sonmonyiaca decided to do “Love on Top” by Beyoncé. “We didn’t even have time to rehearse, no run-throughs, no warmups. We just went in and did it. And killed it! The reaction in the room told me everything. The guys behind the computers were like, whoa!” shared the excited singer.  

But the female producer, who had the final say on whether McKoy would perform in front of the celebrity judges, still hadn’t responded. “She turned to me and said, ‘Yes, your voice is amazing.’ Then she paused and said, ‘But… just hear me out.’ She looked at me and asked, ‘Do you have the look America would be looking for?’”  

And then suddenly, the whole room just kind of went silent. Sonmonyiaca looked at the producer with hope in her eyes and said, “Well, yeah, I get it … or we could create the look, if there’s something I don’t have now, we can work on it,” McKoy said. The producer shook her head slightly and said, “That’s my only issue. I just feel like … you don’t have the look America would be looking for.” 

As she shared that experience, I felt the pain and disappointment still in her voice and spirit. A few seconds went by before she continued, as if she was looking for a piece of hope to hold onto. “It’s hurtful, because I’ve come so far to get to this point. My family is upset with me because I’ve been in New York longer than expected. Things got tough. I had to ask for help. I even had to quit my job just to keep pursuing this dream. And after all of that … to hear this. Not that my voice wasn’t good. Not that I wasn’t talented. But that I didn’t have ‘the look America was looking for.’”  

I asked her a tough question. Did you ever stop and ask yourself, why am I doing this and who am I really doing this for?  

“I’ve come to realize that I’ve been doing some things more out of obligation, mainly because others wanted me to, and because I’m good at it. But it wasn’t until I recently had a new experience with God that it truly hit me: I’ve been moving through certain parts of my life not out of passion or purpose, but simply because it’s something I can do.”  

After that encounter with God, it was time to move on to the next chapter of her dream. “Everything changed! He made it clear. I want you to do things with purpose. I want you to feel what you’re doing. That moment unlocked something in me. Now, I’m okay with being authentic. That’s the biggest thing I teach now, be your authentic self. 

When you build a relationship with God, He teaches you what to do, what to stay away from, and even gives you instructions that might not make sense to others. That’s why it’s so important to have a relationship with Him first, before the opinions of people. Because God will cover you. He’s got your back every single time. If God said it, be obedient and move. Because obedience will take you to places you never thought you’d go internally and externally,” said Sonmonyiaca McKoy, who is known to her fans as “Sunni.”  

“When I was younger at Cash Elementary, everybody used to call me, Sunny or sunshine because of my smile.” I agree. Her smile doesn’t just light up a room, it changes the atmosphere. 

In addition to rebuilding a successful singing career, the mother of three also thrived in the world of stage plays. She was later recast in the lead role of Sapphire in the stage production “The Bridegroom” in 2017. “That role was major for me because it brought out all of who I am today. Not just my voice, but my acting as well. I had intense scenes, including moments where my character was being physically and emotionally broken down. It really pushed me as a performer and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve been Glenda the Good Witch in the hit musical “The Wiz.” I’ve been in so many different productions, I can’t even name them all. Each one has helped shape me into the artist I am today.” 

I decided to have a little fun with Sunni. I mentioned Beyonce’s alter ego, Sasha Fierce, Tyler Perry’s Madea, and even my 102 Jamz alter ego, Aunt Pearl, with whom I was able to say things I never say in public.  Who is Sunni’s alter ego? “I know the Saints are probably gonna think this sounds like a stripper name, but it’s Diamond.”  

I asked what Diamond does that makes it easier for Sunni to do. “She doesn’t care what people think. And definitely performing and dancing. I can really dance, but I’m naturally shy. So, Diamond brings out that boldness and confidence. She helps me let go, be fierce, and own the stage without second-guessing myself. 

“But she’s more than just attitude; Diamond is firm. While Sonmonyiaca is sweet, kind, and caring, Diamond is the opposite. She handles business, she speaks up, she sets boundaries. She doesn’t care what people think. She just does what needs to be done. And if folks don’t like it, that’s on them. Diamond’s gonna bring it regardless.”  

When I asked if she had a chance to sign a multi-million-dollar contract to only secular music and never go back to gospel, would she do it?  “Yes, and I’ll tell you why. It’s not about the money. For me, secular music doesn’t have to be what we often see today, just focused on the body or being provocative. Secular music can still be uplifting and inspirational. 

“I don’t even necessarily consider myself a gospel artist. I just want to make music that inspires people. I can give you the dancing and the energy but still keep it clean. Something that doesn’t take me out of my calling. We can still have fun and enjoy music, but it’s all about how you present it.” 

When people hear your voice, what do you want them to feel?
“I want them to feel what they haven’t been able to. I’ve sung at a lot of funerals. Even when I was really young, like six years old and I realized early on that music has a way of unlocking emotions that people sometimes keep buried. If someone needs to feel joy, I want them to feel it. If they need to cry because they haven’t been able to, I want my voice to help them release that. It’s not that I want to make people sad, but I believe we should be able to honor our emotions instead of holding them in. 

“More than anything, I want people to feel refreshed. I want them to feel like they can keep going. Like the music gave them something, hope, peace, strength. I want them to walk away uplifted, not weighed down. Because I’ve heard songs, both gospel and secular, that are beautiful but leave you stuck in sadness. My goal is to help people feel all the emotions but also see the other side. The side that reminds them they’re not alone, that better days are coming.” 

My Phenomenal Person of the Week is Sonmonyiaca “Sunni” McKoy. To book Sonmonyiaca, call 980-892-4395 or send an email to LENISE2986@gmail.com. Follow on IG @SONGSTRESS_86.