Prior to joining the cast of the series, Tonya appeared as Linda in the daytime drama Generations, along with fellow Y&R star Kristoff St. John (Neil). Additional television appearances include Falcon Crest, Hill Street Blues, Matlock, Gimme a Break, A Very Brady Christmas, Silk Stalkings and The Liberators.

Tonya's Canadian television credits include the series For the Record, Seeing Things, In Good Company, Street Legal, Time of Your Life, Check it Out and Polka Dot Door, the Canadian version of Sesame Street. She has appeared in the feature films Spaced Invaders and Hearts of Fire.

Tonya graduated from Ryerson College in Toronto, a school specializing in theater arts. She began her career while still a teenager as the milk girl in the now famous "Wear a Mustache" milk campaign. Tonya was born in London, England and a year later, relocated with her family to Kingston, Jamaica. Tonya and her mother returned to London before moving to Oshawa, Canada. She operates the Publicity Group out of Toronto, Canada during her spare time.

Tonya currently lives in Los Angeles. Her birthday is July 12. She is 5' 8" tall with brown hair and brown eyes.