Adrienne-Joi Johnson (born January 2, 1963), also known as A. J. Johnson, is an American actress, choreographer, fitness trainer, and life coach. Acting since 1987, Johnson has made many guest appearances on sitcoms, television dramas and music videos; she also has numerous supporting roles in films, including House Party and Baby Boy.
Early life and education Raised in Fair Haven, New Jersey, Johnson graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in 1981.Strauss, Robert. "If Sirens is a hit, Adrienne-Joi Johnson will be house-hunting; Former Fair Haven resident has her eye on a little house In the Hollywood Hills so she Is hoping her new series, which is premlering Wednesday, will be a hit.", Asbury Park Press, March 8, 1993. Accessed February 29, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "The show the 1981 graduate of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School wants you glued to for the next 13 weeks is Sirens (premiering at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Channels 6 and 7); in which she plays one of three rookie female cops doing their best to de-macho the Pittsburgh Police Department." She graduated with honors in 1985 from Spelman College in Atlanta. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Career She has appeared in A Different World, In the Heat of the Night, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Amen, the short-lived Sirens, Chicago Hope, The Jamie Foxx Show, and Touched by an Angel. She has also appeared in television movies such as A Mother's Courage: the Mary Thomas Story (1989), Clippers (1991), Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story (1992), Love, Lies & Lullabies (1993), The Beast (1996), and Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story (2025).
Johnson has appeared in theatrical releases and independent films such as School Daze (1988), House Party (1990), Double Trouble (1992), Sister Act (1992), The Inkwell (1994), High Freakquency (1998), Two Shades of Blue (2000), Tara (2001), Baby Boy (2001), and Skin Deep (2003).
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1988 School Daze Cecilia 1989 A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story Ruby Thomas TV movie 1990 House Party Sharane 1991 Clippers Renee TV movie Dying Young Shauna 1992 Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story Cynthia TV movie Double Trouble Danitra Sister Act Lewanda 1993 Love, Lies & Lullabies Nurse TV movie 1994 Heather Lee 1998 High Freakquency D.J. Venom 1999 Two Shades of Blue Lisa 2001 Tara Nina Video Baby Boy Juanita 2003 Black Listed Mild Cat Video Skin Deep Sarah 2019 Sins of the Father Detective Phylicia Richardson TV movie 2020 Holiday Heartbreak Joyce TV movie 2023 Whatever It Takes Alafia TV movie 2025 Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story Cynthia Curry
Television Year Title Role Notes 1988 A Different World Girl #3 Episode: "Mr. Hillman" 1989 In the Heat of the Night Shawna Hughes Episode: "These Things Take Time" Day by Day Frances Episode: "Foul Play" CBS Summer Playhouse Annie Episode: "Coming to America" 1990 New Attitude Tanya Episode: "The Case of the Missing Toupee" The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Christina Johnson Episode: "Def Poet's Society" 1st & Ten Loretta Episode: "The Squeeze" 1991 Amen Courteney Episode: "My Fair Homeboy" 1993–95 Sirens Officer Lynn Stanton Main Cast 1995 The Preston Episodes Marilyn Episode: "David's First Date Episode" 1996 Nell Newcombe Episode: "Episode #1.1 & #1.2" Chicago Hope Trish Cook Episode: "Liver Let Die" 1997 Janine Episode: "I Do, I Didn't" 1999 JAG Lt. Gold Episode: "The Return" 2000 Cover Me Dolores Episode: "Our Mr. Brooks" & "Turtle Soup" 2001 Touched by an Angel Yvette Lakes Episode: "Angels Anonymous" 2004 Flab to Fab Herself/Host Main Host 2008 Baisden After Dark Herself Episode: "Episode #2.2" 2010 K-Ci & JoJo: Come Clean Herself/Life Coach Episode: "Freakin' You" 2011 Life After Herself Episode: "AJ Johnson" 2012 Unsung Herself Episode: "Atlantic Starr" 2013 Exhale Herself Episode: "Health & Wellness" 2014 Lindsay Herself/Life Coach Recurring Cast 2015 Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Baby Boy" Unsung Herself Episode: "Kid 'n Play" 2016 Family Time Tracy Episode: "The Things We Do for Love" 2017–19 Debbie Jelly (voice) Main Cast 2019 Uncensored Herself Episode: "Tisha Campbell" 2020 Stuck with You Stephanie Recurring Cast: Season 1 Love & Hip Hop: Miami Herself Episode: "Full Circle" 2021 Hollywood Homecoming Herself Episode: "House Party" Life Therapy Herself/Host Main Host 2023 Legacy Gloria Main Cast Act Your Age Celine Episode: "Body of Work"
Music videos Year Song Artist 1987 "Criticize" Alexander O'Neal 1988 "Just Coolin'" LeVert
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Film Result 1990 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story 1991 Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Female in a comedy-drama film House Party 2002 Black Reel Awards Theatrical- Best Supporting actress in a Motion Picture Baby Boy
References
External links
Talk with Audrey interview with AJ Johnson 2011. AJ shares her thoughts on moving and dieting.