Joy Sunday was born in Staten Island, New York to Nigerian parents. She completed theatre training at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, graduating from USC's School of Cinematic Arts with an honors degree in Critical Studies. She made her TV debut as a top-of-show guest star on CBS' MacGyver (2016) and got her SAG card by way of Justin Simien's Bad Hair (2020). Joy has since made multiple TV and movie appearances, produced a number of short films, and ventured into audiobook narration.