Tika Sumpter (born Euphemia L. Sumpter; June 20, 1980) is an American actress, singer, television host, and model.
Sumpter began her career as host of the N network reality series, Best Friend's Date (2004â€"2005), and in 2005 landed the role of Layla Williamson in the ABC daytime soap opera, One Life to Live where she starred regularly through 2010. In the same year, Sumpter made her movie debut in her leading female role in the musical drama Stomp the Yard: Homecoming. She later had recurring roles as Raina Thorpe in The CW teen drama Gossip Girl, and as Jenna Rice in the BET sitcom The Game.
Sumpter was later featured in supporting roles for What's Your Number? (2011) and Think Like a Man (2012), before starring in Sparkle (2012) and A Madea Christmas (2013). In 2013, Sumpter began her role as Candace Young, the leading character on the OWN primetime soap opera, The Haves and the Have Nots. In 2014, Sumpter was featured as leading female roles in, Ride Along, My Man Is a Loser, and as Yvonne Fair in the 2014 biopic, Get On Up.
Early life
Sumpter was born in Queens, New York City, She was the first African-American cheerleader at her high school. She graduated from Longwood Senior High School in Middle Island, New York and studied at Marymount Manhattan College where she majored in communications.
Career
2004â€"2011
Sumpter began her modeling career and appeared in commercials for Hewlett-Packard and Liz Claiborne's Curve fragrances. She also worked as waitress before acting. In 2004, she served as the co-host for the N network series Best Friend's Date. The following year she landed the role of Layla Williamson in the ABC daytime soap opera, One Life to Live. For her portrayal of Layla, Sumpter was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2008. She first appeared on-screen on July 15, 2005, playing the role regularly through September 14, 2010. Sumpter reappeared in the role on November 9â€"10, 2010, and January 21 and 24, 2011.
In 2010, Sumpter made her film debut in Stomp the Yard: Homecoming on the female lead role, and in the same year appeared in Salt. From January to May 2011, Sumpter appeared in The CW teen drama series, Gossip Girl as Raina Thorpe, the daughter of Russell Thorpe and Chuck Bass/Nate' former love interest. She played singer Jason Derülo's girlfriend in the video for his song "It Girl". In 2011, she appeared as lead character friend in the romantic comedy film What's Your Number?. From 2011 to 2012 she also had a recurring role as Jenna Rice in the BET comedy series, The Game.
2012â€"present
On September 12, 2011, it was announced that Sumpter would be playing one of the sisters, Deloris, in the music-themed film Sparkle alongside Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, Derek Luke and Carmen Ejogo. Sparkle is a remake of the 1976 film of the same name inspired by the story of The Supremes. The remake was set in 1968 Detroit, during the rise of Motown. The story focused on the youngest sister, a music prodigy named Sparkle Williams (Jordin Sparks), and her struggle to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. R&B singer Aaliyah was originally tapped to star as Sparkle; however following her death in a 2001 plane crash, production on the film was derailed. Production would have begun in 2002. Sparkle was filmed in the fall of 2011 over a two-month period. The film, which co-stars Sumpter, was released in the United States on August 17, 2012. On May 21, 2012, "Celebrate", the last song Whitney Houston recorded with Sparks, premiered at RyanSeacrest.com. The song is the first official single featured on the Sparkle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album which Sumpter is a part of. The accompanying music video for Celebrate was filmed on May 30, 2012 and the video featured herself and the rest of her Sparkle cast mates .
After Sparkle, Sumpter starred in the independent comedy film My Man Is a Loser written and directed by comedian Mike Young. Filmed in 2012, My Man Is a Loser received release on July 25, 2014, by Lionsgate. In 2013 she appeared in the Christmas comedy-drama film A Madea Christmas by Tyler Perry. In same year, Sumpter began starring as Candace Young, a lead villainess, in the Oprah Winfrey Network soapy drama series The Haves and the Have Nots, also created by Tyler Perry. The series received negative reviews from critics, like other of Perry's works, but was the biggest hit in ratings for Oprah Winfrey Network, to date.
Sumpter played the female lead in the 2014 action comedy film directed by Tim Story Ride Along opposite Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. She played Yvonne Fair in the biographical drama film Get On Up, about James Brown. The film is set for an August 1, 2014 release date. In same year she co-starred opposite Queen Latifah, Mo'Nique and Khandi Alexander in the HBO biographical film Bessie about the iconic blues singer Bessie Smith.
Sumpter is set to play young Michelle Obama in film Southside With You, a biopic about the early romance between Barack and Michelle Obama.
Filmography
Film
Television
References
External links
- Official website
- Tika Sumpter at the Internet Movie Database
- Tika Sumpter on Twitter