Daytime TV hasn’t seen a breakout character quite like Chelsea Hamilton in years, and the Chelsea Hamilton actress bringing her to life—RhonniRose Mantilla—is quickly becoming a must‑watch talent.
CBS’ Beyond the Gates, the first new broadcast soap since Passions (1999) and the first ever to center an affluent Black family, is already shaking up the genre.
Executive produced by Sheila Ducksworth under the NAACP–CBS Studios pact, the show’s commitment to representation, including a splashy LGBTQ+ romance, hinges on Mantilla’s fearless performance.
How a Midwestern Theater Kid Became the Chelsea Hamilton Actress
Raised in St. Louis, Mantilla honed her craft in regional theater before landing commercial spots and small streaming roles.
When the Beyond the Gates casting call surfaced, the brief simply described “a 23‑year‑old former runway model and influencer who grapples with family legacy and personal freedom.” Mantilla impressed producers with both vulnerability and edge—qualities that define Chelsea’s Gen‑Z swagger.
“I didn’t know Chelsea was queer when I auditioned,” the Chelsea Hamilton actress tells THR. “That revelation felt authentic to my own journey.”
Breaking Daytime Barriers: A Queer Black Love Story
Mantilla’s Chelsea finds unexpected love with Dr. Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil), yielding daytime TV’s first intimate Black‑on‑Black queer coupling.
Showrunner Michele Val Jean—a General Hospital alum and historic pioneer for inclusive soaps—designed the arc as a core pillar, not a sweeps‑week stunt.
Why It Matters
- Visibility: The Chelsea–Madison storyline gives young, queer viewers—especially Black women—on‑screen affirmation.
- Depth: Rather than “coming‑out anguish,” the plot focuses on self‑actualization, professional ambition, and inter‑generational understanding.
- Authenticity: Both Mantilla and McNeil identify on the queer spectrum, adding lived‑experience nuance.
The Dupree Dynasty: Chelsea’s Complicated Clan
| Character | Actor | Relation to Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Vernon Dupree | Clifton Davis | Grandfather, civil‑rights icon |
| Anita Dupree | Tamara Tunie | Grandmother, EGOT singer |
| Dani Dupree Hamilton | Karla Mosley | Mother, ex‑supermodel |
| Nicole Dupree Richardson | Daphnée Duplaix | Aunt, psychiatrist |
| Martin Dupree | Brandon Claybon | Cousin, congressman married to a man |
Chelsea’s father divorced Dani to marry Dani’s childhood friend—scandal echoing her influencer life.
That tabloid chaos informs Mantilla’s fashion‑forward portrayal: “Chelsea dresses like a Bratz doll meets Dior runway,” she jokes.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting Daytime’s Boldest Sex‑Positive Moment
No daytime soap has ever framed intimacy for two young Black women with the tenderness and visual care Beyond the Gates devoted to Chelsea and Madison’s first love scene. RhonniRose Mantilla—the Chelsea Hamilton actress—recalls arriving on set at 5 a.m. to find a closed crew (just the DP, director Christine Swanson, and intimacy coordinator Mia Schaffer) and a full walkthrough scheduled before any wardrobe came off.
“Christine said, ‘This is about genuine connection—not cheap titillation,’ and that set the tone,” Mantilla says.
The Blueprint for Respectful On‑Screen Sex
- Storyboard in Collaboration: Swanson and Schaffer invited Mantilla and co‑star Kenjah McNeil to co‑design every beat—from where hands travel to camera angle preferences.
- Language of Consent: Each move was coded with a verbal cue so either actress could halt mid‑take and reset without breaking flow.
- Lighting Choices: DP John Simmons used amber gels and a diffused key to mimic candlelight, highlighting skin tone while avoiding exploitative shadows.
- Sound Design: The scene features a subdued score; natural breathing and whispered dialogue carry the emotional weight, underscoring that “this is lovemaking, not background music,” as Swanson puts it.
A Narrative First for Network Soaps
Beyond representation, the moment flips a familiar soap trope: usually, fan‑service couplings peak during haul‑out‑the‑sheets montages. Here, the pivotal exchange happens before any sheets are touched. Chelsea admits, “No one’s ever seen me like this.” Madison replies, “Then they’ve never really looked.” The line—penned by head writer Michele Val Jean—triggered what Mantilla describes as “a visible hush” during table read; veteran cast members reportedly applauded.
Audience Reactions
- Live‑tweet spike: Hashtag #BGTConsentScene trended No. 2 in the U.S. the day of broadcast.
- GLAAD commendation: Called the sequence “a master class in queer Black intimacy—free of fetish, full of agency.”
- Backlash pockets: Some legacy viewers labeled the scene “too explicit.” Ducksworth responded in Variety: “What’s truly explicit is denying Black queer couples full humanity.”
Mantilla says the respectful environment eased her nerves: “Once we finished, the crew applauded. I cried—not out of embarrassment but relief that we honored the moment.”
From Fearless Fashion to Business Branding to Business Branding
Chelsea exits modeling to launch a high‑end handbag label—another path Mantilla relates to as she plots her own lifestyle brand. “We’re aligning Chelsea’s arc with Gen‑Z entrepreneurship,” Ducksworth confirms. Future storylines will explore venture‑capital hurdles, misogynoir in fashion, and influencer burnout.
Audience Reception and Social‑Media Buzz
- TikTok hashtag #ChelseaHamilton hit 25 million views in three months.
- LGBTQ+ nonprofit GLAAD praised the “refreshingly joyful Black sapphic representation.”
- Some traditional soap fans voiced discomfort on forums; writers responded with episodes highlighting family acceptance.
What’s Next for the Chelsea Hamilton Actress in Season 2
CBS renewed Beyond the Gates for a second season, shooting this fall on the Paramount lot. Mantilla teases:
- Sibling Shock – Chelsea discovers her father’s new child may threaten her inheritance.
- Love Triangle – An ex‑girlfriend from Madison’s past complicates the romance.
- Brand Sabotage – Rival influencer leaks Chelsea’s family secrets.
Why RhonniRose Mantilla Could Be Daytime’s Next Household Name
- Acting Range: From playful influencer banter to tear‑stained confrontations, the Chelsea Hamilton actress toggles effortlessly.
- Cultural Impact: As Black queer visibility surges, Mantilla stands poised for crossover roles in primetime and streaming dramas.
- Advocacy Potential: Mantilla plans partnerships with LGBTQ+ youth charities and fashion‑sustainability campaigns.
“Chelsea isn’t perfect—neither am I,” Mantilla says. “But if our authenticity helps others live louder, that’s legacy.”
Beyond the Gates airs weekdays at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on CBS, streams live via Paramount+, and remains on demand for seven days.
