Tika Sumpter
Appearances
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes, when she was the CoverGirl. Yes. I did a ton of voiceovers. Like, a ton of voiceovers. And... So it was like steps of like, okay, yeah, the industry is saying yes, but not fully. I can't leave my job yet. And so it was like, it was a validation that I'm, I'm on the right path. I'm on the right path.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You need it. And I think what people need to know most is, again, making it is steps. It's not just me. Some people do make it like that. I don't know. I always thought, and I thought I would do that one. Yeah. You know, they're shooting in New York, and you're like, I'm going to walk by this set.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Stop. Who is she? Stop. Who is that? Every time. And I'd walk slowly. And I'd look outside, I'd look at the production like.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You're like, is anybody out here? No one? Because you hear these stories. I used to hear Natalie Portman was like picked out of a, you know, whatever.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But I thought it was going to be. And that was okay. So, yeah. I mean, so I kept my job. And then I... So actually I opened Soho House, the first Soho House in New York. Shout out Soho, okay. Yeah, it was when no one understood what Soho House was. Or a private members club. Now everybody knows. It's a thing, yeah. And they were like, you have to be a member to get in.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And it was like, people, I'm talking, amazing people would walk in and the lady would be like, sorry, are you a member? And I'm like, that's, do you know who that is? That's, no, you have to let them in. She's like, sorry, but you can apply to be a member. And you're like, oh my God. So I worked there for a while and I opened the first one and then I walked out and quit.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
How are you? i am i'm like bursting with joy right now first of all for you because i have known you for a long time yes yes you were i mean i'll tell the story um she you were an extra on stomp the yard too yes right yes and uh will packer produced it and i was on it and i just remember how Of course you were with one of the leads. They were like, where's the pretty girl?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And because I couldn't take, it was, There was a lot of entitlement going on there that I couldn't take anymore. I mean, people are great. People are great. But also people aren't great. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah. And then I booked. And then after that, I'm sorry. You can ask me any question you want. You can interrupt me. I'm just excited. No, I love it. So, yeah. And then I like literally walked out. I'm like having a New York moment, like crying down the street. Because I'm like, I don't know what I'm going to do. God, I've auditioned. I've done the commercials. I've done things here and there.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I want to be part of this industry. And I felt like it's been a minute. And the struggle feels long when you're in New York.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
The roommates. Yes. Just... It's rough. I mean, partying is fun. I did go out a lot in New York. That was fun. But what was not fun was, like, when is this going to happen? Like, when is this dream actually going to work? You know, that was placed in my mind when I was such a little kid. Right. You know? And I'm walking down the street crying. A lady's like, are you okay?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I'm like, I did have a boyfriend at the time. He was great. And he was a little older than me. And he was like, look, I got you. That was the first time that I had somebody to fall on in my life. They like, I'll take care of you. Wow. But then like literally a week later, I booked one life to live. Literally, literally one summer they're like,
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
They're, you got the part, you know, for one life to live. And I was like, what? So I was like, so you don't need to take care of me. I can take care of myself. I'm so independent. Okay, girl. But like, yeah. So that journey to even my first job was such, I would not change it for the world.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I really do believe I can pivot. Mm-hmm. You ain't gonna catch me on my back foot. Yeah. And I can get out of this mud. Put me in any mud. Yeah. I'll get out of it. Mm-hmm. Because I've seen people go through worse. Yeah. And I've also... I've had my own journey of just like, okay, knocking on doors, knocking on doors. I mean, I knocked on a casting director's door.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
After I went to the casting, this is me in New York. This is my, this is why I love being like naive sometimes too. Like when you're younger, you're like, why not me? Like literally my brain was like, why not? So I went to an audition.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I didn't get it right yeah, I don't know why did I get it right now I went to the audition and I was like you know I have braids in my hair and they were looking for like curly hair girls and whatever whatever whatever. They were looking for you anyway, so I was like I wouldn't want my brains whatever so I walked out whatever.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Do you know that day I went and took out my braids and you know when your hair is crinkly. So I had crinkly hair. I went the next day and knocked on the casting director's door. Hi, they were like, hi. I was like, I was here yesterday. I'm back. I was here, I'm back. You said you wanted curly hair.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Here it is. Can you talk about, out of your mind, she was like, oh, you're sweet. Oh. no unfortunately thank you though we already we found our person thank you she was just like and i was like okay i just wanted to come back but i let you but you know right into her again on any other projects they were like what is happening He's so green. Green means very new. But like, what?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
OK, I think her hair is cut. And I'm like, your hair is all cut. And I was like, well, she pretty. But you were just so present and so not trying hard to be anything but who you were. And I just always wanted to kind of, I was like, are you OK?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It's so true. It's the why not me. It's the thing that won't let you sleep at night. Like, I gotta do this. Like, I have to do this. There is no other option for me. I just don't see myself in any... Obviously, you grow and you do certain different things. You're an actress, but you also have this.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
There are different things, but you know that ultimate dream of wanting to act is something that you cannot let go of. And I knew that in my spirit, deep in my soul, no matter how many people got picked over me. And also I was the girl, I remember,
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
asia naomi king yes yes okay that's who it was yeah so she used to say i used to see you in auditions and castings like you were so folk you wouldn't talk to anybody you because you know cats this is when you used to go into catholic yeah and like there's a room and everybody walks in and everybody's like hey girl hey how you girl you know like and you're like and she's like you used to be so
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
like this and not, it didn't matter who walked in the room. That was me too. Like, I was like, I don't care. I'm just going to be me and I'm going to get it. And she was like, I just admired you. You just, and you know, I was like, you did? I said, I was, you know?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I think that is the life of an actor. You're like, can we? Oh my God. There are so many roles. Think of every role. Probably every role I didn't get, I probably wanted bad. And I'm talking about like, okay, let me make this look like, you know, let me make this look like a slave cabin. Like, I'm gonna get the lighting. Like, let me make this look like, no, no, seriously.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I mean, every, every, every audition I ever have done, I put my all in. Not really. Sometimes I'm like, I don't even want to do this sometimes.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Your agent sends you stuff and you're like, you're like, ah, you see what I've done.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I don't know why I was gravitating toward you, but I do now. I just always saw, like, there's something such a good spirit there. I love you. You're beautiful. I love you. You too.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, no, but yeah, I think that there are so many auditions that I haven't gotten that I've wanted. But I literally believe what is for me really is for me.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Every time I've missed out on something, And whatever happened with that thing, I'm like, that's why.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes. Or every time I think I missed out on something, I'm like, ooh, thank God.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And that reminds me of like when, you know, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler Perry. Tyler Perry, yes. You know, he always is like, you didn't want to do the hey. I heard that.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I was like, okay. You know. But ultimately I did. But I have the audition tape still. Really? For Candace. Wow. Yeah, I still have the audition tape. And I'm like, I put the audition in. What do you mean I didn't want to do it? I don't remember. I guess when it was offered then I was like, oh, I don't know, blah, blah, blah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
but i did it and i'm so glad i did yeah because it connected the dots in so many different ways not only because the fans are incredible oh my goodness but because you know obviously we all are we do business with tyler yes you know he's a friend he's a
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
He's all these things, big brother, you know, and so it's just nice to like, wow, if I didn't take it or if I didn't do the thing, there's so many reactive things that might have not happened.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Um, so I really do believe what is for you really is for you.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Tyler said, sisters in Italy. I'm like, okay. I got the sisters in Italy. I don't know. At first it was called sis, like, hey sis, like S-I-S. Oh, that's cute. Yeah, isn't that cute? But then it was like, they're like, no, he's like, we got to change something else. So right now it's sisters in Italy, unless it turns into something else. But yeah. That's crazy.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
So the initial idea was, came from me, in terms of, I wanted to write something. I am a middle child and sometimes I feel like the world's on my shoulders and my family. And I was like, I wanted to write something where it's also fun and wonderless while dealing with like depth. Like travel, but also, you know, two sisters who can't agree on anything after their mom dies and leaves them in Italy.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And one is kind of just all over the place. Which is Brisha. Which is Brisha Webb. Shout out Brisha. Love her. And the other one is me. And it's this idea that you can be raised in the same household. but have two very different outcomes. So good, yeah. And so it's like, we either figure it out in Italy or we don't.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And so I, you know, and then I brought on a writer, my friend Kimi Ando-Katuna to help me co-write and kind of re-establish some things and rework it. And we did it together. And then... I had it and you know, I had it and then it didn't work out. I had it for some years and I was like, okay, cause you know, you don't want to call your friends. Exactly.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah. And so I called him and I was like, look, can I send this to you? He was like, yeah. He called me like within the week. He's like, I love it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I love it. Yeah. Let me make some phone calls. And that's how you make the phone call. I was doing something here in Atlanta. I walked out of a coffee shop. I get a phone call from T. He's like, we're doing it. And I want to do it. Just like that. Just like that. I fall on my knees and I just like screaming. People are like, Tika, are you okay? Now it's like you're in the middle of the street.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
There we go. Yeah, that's why like, are you serious? You know, and so I had that moment and I was just like, wow, something that I created and is being put on the big screen. And it's different for him because he's never directed anything that he didn't write.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And like, I'm like, I was, and he was like, okay, so we are going to do this. And he told me the month he was like, worse.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Because when this movie comes out, everybody want to go there. No. It's so beautiful. The fact that they built a replica... of where we went. Literally, I went and cried. He was like, I want you to come see it and see what you think. I was like, I just started crying. I was like, this is not real. He was like, it's real. It's your dream. Ma'am, it's your dream.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
That's him. And then when we went there, I was like, this is that. Yeah, this is it. Yeah, this is it. And he was like, happy. All right. He's like, this is your thing. This is your thing, Tika. And from the producing standpoint, there's music in it that Brisha sings. I had to be in the studio with her picking music. He's like, you're producing your thing. Like you, this is your movie, Tika.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I was still fresh and, you know. But I'm nice to anybody. Yeah. But I'm nice to everybody. You are. I don't care what you can do for me. Your spirit is great. I'm like, I actually became really good friends with another extra on One Life Tour. She's my friend now. I just. But you're not just that. You don't just go there to be an extra. There's more in your world that's coming, obviously.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
He's like, I'm in charge of the directing stuff. Like, he's like, but I want you, you can, I was like, he's like, this is, what do you want? I tell everybody to go to you. And I was like- Isn't that beautiful?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
This is not what we started with. Yes. Yeah. Wow. You know, and I don't mind being flexible and, you know, you gotta be flexible, but- He is a person who, when he says he's gonna do it, he does it. And he does it in a good manner of time. It's not like, let's do this for five years, 10 years.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
He gets it done. And so I'm really excited for everybody to see it. And I'm just really excited that it happened. I did it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You got that exclusive. Sneak peek. I like it. You know you will be. That's amazing.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I was like, let's not, like, let's just, you know. It was not, it was not. We weren't giving private.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Justin. How is that me and my husband? So crazy.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, no. Another insert of Tyler Perry. Yeah, it's like... you know my butt always looking at somebody like maybe uh right that's me now maybe is there a future there i know you're like at this age i'm like is that my husband or not yeah or is it just a few nights no i'm kidding not kidding um
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
yeah no i i saw nick he was in the makeup room with gavin houston and there was a few other people there and i had my dog with me and i passed the makeup lola who i had before everybody yes and i passed a makeup room and i went oh yeah and i went in i was like hey everybody And then Nick's standing there and he's like, oh, what's your dog's name? I'm like, Lola. But I'm Tika. Yeah, no, no.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And then he goes, is it a girl or a boy? And I go... Lola. And he was like, I was so nervous talking to you.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But I don't care. It's like you're a good human. But the fact that we saw each other on... on Haves, and you were, I can't believe you were PA. I always feel like I remember you as the head of the department.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
He missed it. And then I walked out the room. And I go, no, I'm not dating any actors. I'm done. I'm not doing any actors. No, no, no, I'm not going to do it. And then our first scene, which is on tape, somebody sent it to me the other day. That was our very first scene. It was the end of the day. He made me laugh so hard. Wow. And he was so cute. And I was like, maybe. Wow.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And then, of course, Tika. I talk about myself this way. Tika goes and she's like, oh, if you guys ever go out or anything, here's my number. Just call me. I'll come with you guys. What the hell? What the hell? Tika don't do that. What the hell? And he didn't call me. Really? He thought I was married. I go, what? Why would I give you my number? He was like, I don't know. I just got, like, no way.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
There's no way you could be single. You know what I mean? I thought you, like, whatever. So then we went to Tyler Leftley's birthday at an all-black club. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Nick at an all black club. Nick was at an all black club with another guy who worked on the show who was white too. And Nick was just like, cool, cool. And I was like, are you okay? Do you need anything?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Why are you asking all these questions? What's the problem? Right. I'm like, no, I just want to make sure you feel comfortable. He's like, no, I'm good. Girl, go sit down. Like, what are you doing? And I think that was my nervousness. I was like, and then his friend had to tell him, I think he likes you. He's probably like, what? He's like, he literally said, what? No, no way.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And he's like, she likes you. Oh, man. And then that night. He was like, okay, let me. And then that night was history. We sealed the deal. I love it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
We had so much fun. I'm so glad everybody came early so that we could hang out. We got to Kiki in the pool and talk and just see your face. And Tyler showed up for me in so many ways that people have no idea about. That's him. That he's just, I'm like... just always, you know, my dad died when I was younger and he's like, I'm standing in the gap for him. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I was like, like, Paul, there's so many things that he does that nobody knows. Yeah. And he's just I don't care what y'all say. I don't care what anybody say. Like, this man stands in the gap for so many people. You have no idea. And so, yeah, it was an amazing wedding. And I still got my man. You still got your man. He's a pain in my back.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
No, but I've tried, you know, I sound like a hoe. Like, I've tried it all. Oh, my God. All the playlist. Oh, my God. What is that song called? I got to wipe William Rasa. You beat me, Father Rasa. You know, he's like, Jesus. No, I mean, I've had, like, I've lived, you know. I mean, I'm 44 years old. And so I... love black men. Yeah, for sure.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I dated black men and I wanted to be with black men. And my daddy was black. You know, my mama's black.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
My uncle, my... Black, black, black. Yes. Like, and... I've dated, you know, people that I just get a lot. Like, yeah, you don't see color. I don't see. I see you. But I'm like, I also I'm like, you're just fine. Yeah. And you're smart and you're funny. And to me, it's not this. It's just how do you treat me? Right. Right. Like, how do you love me? Whether it's for a long time or not.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It's like, how do we get along? Yeah. I like talking to you. Right. You know, and I've loved. I've, one day when I'm 89, I will write a book. I will write a book. Okay? Okay.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But no, I just, there's not like a thing where I'm like, I want to date a white man. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I mean, look. Look at the numbers. I mean, I don't know. I mean, I don't know. Yeah. Whether it's white, whether it's Asian, whether it's Indian, whatever it looks like, you just got to try. As long as they treat you good and as long as they... Finding love is hard. It is hard.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And that was what I did do as I got into therapy because I thought he was the problem. But then a mirror was held up and it was like, oh, girl, you're not that cute right now. You know what I mean? Like, there's a lot of things I had to deal with, including boundaries for everybody. Yeah. Including what I will accept from family or not. And including making this new family. Yes.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You know what I mean? Like. Then when you have a child, that's a whole other thing. But yeah, we grew up very differently. Where his parents, there was no, like, they don't rely on him for anything. You know? That's just not how he grew up. And so understanding, not that my mom relied on me, but I was like, I made it. I got you. I got you.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Ciao. She complained the other day. I don't go nowhere no more with you. You know? And I was like, that's because... You're like, I got to take care of you for real. Like, you're like, I want pasta and lobster. No, yeah, you think you're right. I got a black girl on the roster. She's my tika and she eat pasta. I'm like, girl, come on, like, sit down.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It's a big difference when you have your own family. And then, yeah. And so you just have to learn to set boundaries. And marriage is not easy. You know, it's. And I know people are gonna be like, it's easy if it's good. And I'm like, it's good. We love each other. It's just, you go through constant changes and constant fixes and constant like, And then change with your child.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
There's just so many dynamics in a household. And so to hold it all together, it's a lot. And then having time for yourself. But he's an amazing dad. And he treats me well, more than well. we are building our lives and continuing to build our lives and happily.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It's so crazy. Isn't it crazy? It's so crazy how... And I was doing cartoons, too. Voiceovers. Yes. So it's crazy how it all melds together. We started Adventures of Curiosity Cove, A-O-C-C, if you can't remember Adventures of Curiosity Cove. Because Ella, when she was younger, like three, four, she would ask us to tell her stories off the top, like off the dome.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, don't remember to tell me a story. Tell me a story. Like, I was like. Give me a hot 16, mom. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So there was this girl, right? And she lived down, you know, it's like, I had to tell these stories and then she's like, another one. I was like, another one. I was like, girl, I don't have it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I'm exhausted. And so we were like, when she got older, she started getting into kids' podcasts. She'd be like, mom, can you turn on my podcast? You know, we were in the car. She was in the bath. And I was like, oh, you love podcasts.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
story we tell stories why don't we create something that would be amazing that we think we can do really well into a podcast so we created adventures of curiosity cove which is about emotional um intelligence and this little one of the stories in there or series is ella the curious this little third grader kind of her coming of age story in third grade and then a bunch of other one-offs but and then out of that we i created um
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
you know, I got it for my mama with Ella on the cover. So yeah, it all worked together.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, it's like we think, you know, we love to talk about how kids are all the best things that kids have about us, you know? And I think sometimes we don't talk about the challenging things and the things that they mirror. Yes. Right? And so I wanted to...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
give parents a pass to say we all mess like i wanted to show them we mess up yes we all mess up and the mom had to actually apologize to the kids i didn't realize how much apologizing i've had to do as a mom wow to a child to a child yeah and I always, people, you know, some people are like, some people think they'll lose their power.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I got years of friendship. And like, I don't know, I'm just so I'm just proud of you. And I'm just I'm so happy to be here. And I'm so happy to kiki with you and to like meet your whole crew. And yeah. Girl, it ain't where you start. It's not. It's where you finish. Yes. You're going to keep going.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I'm like, I am giving her the best power ever because she has a voice. Yes. Come on. You know, we talk about, we want our kids to have voices when they get older. If they don't have it when they're younger, it's going to be hard to find when they're older.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
So, um, I just tried to create that world and I want parents and kids to have fun reading. I love when, uh, it's fun for me to watch something with my child when it's not, it's like, Oh my God, I'm gonna fall asleep or read something. And I'm like, not that book, please not that book.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
please not that book again I don't want to read it please mama please read it I'm like I don't want to read it you read it right read to me you read to me you know so yeah so Ella loves it and I hope you know other families do too
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And what I love about Paramount, what they did was, even when I came in to read for it, it wasn't a normal audition. Really? No. It was, I walked in a room in a hotel with almost everybody from Paramount. Like, everybody. Wow. At this long table. And James Marsden was sitting there, and there were recording tapes here. I didn't know who any of these people were. I don't even know who the cast is.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I didn't know who anyone was. I just walked in and I was kind of like, here, sit here. Here's your script. And I was like, okay. And we had a whole read through in front of everybody who was part of this thing. And then they were like, okay, great. Thank you. And I was like, okay, bye. Okay, bye. I don't know what's happening.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And then they called and they were like, they'd love for you to be part of it. That was it.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
That was it. It went from knocking on the door. This is curly hair. You want me to, yeah, we want you.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
We want you. And so, and writers direct, our director, our cast, our crew, our producers, they have treated me like gold. That's good. They have made me feel.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
amazing like an actress should feel yes like when she's part of something that is making the company a lot you know and um i'm just proud to be part of a franchise not everybody gets to do that so that's so true i'm proud of you thank you that's amazing now did ella get to watch that oh my god hear your voice
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
No, she saw the first one when she was like three or four. That's the first movie she sat through and was like, and I had to fall out of a building, and she's like, I don't like that part, Mama. She's like, I love Sonic. And now she's like, because she'll be like, sometimes she's like, Mom, I don't want you to leave. She's like, we said something the other day.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I go, you don't want me to be an actress anymore? She goes, no, you have to be in the Sonic movies. I don't care what else you do, but the Sonic movies, you got to keep that going. But yeah, no, she's obsessed. She's obsessed and she loves video games and she loves like that whole world. So I took her to the headquarters of Sega in Burbank and it was fun. So I'm just, I'm like super proud.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
That's the one thing that she can watch that I'm in, you know? Yeah. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
What is next? Ooh, that's a good question. Yes. I think I have so many things in the pipeline. I'm kind of like you. I'm into building. I never want to be only relying on a system that...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
easily throws people out yeah right and so I am building my company Fort Sumter um you know media to content to um you know content to product and uh through the world of women at the center moms at the center and yeah there's a lot of things coming up right now it's the book um There's some great podcast stuff coming up once the contracts are signed. Yes. And, oh, Watson, I play. Yes.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yes, Morris Chestnut. I love his new show. I love it, Chris. I love it. Okay, ew. Shout out for it. Yeah, on Watson. So I'm excited about that. That's coming up. There's a two-part finale that I'm in in May. And then, yeah, Survival of the Thickest is out. I play the love interest that comes out.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It's funny. It's so good. It's really funny. Michelle Buteau is the creator. She's amazing and funny. Tasha Smith, Tony Bell, like I said. So that and then, yeah, there's a few other things that are in the works. I mean, there's always going to be people like, you got 50 million, 11 jobs.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I feel like your dream grows in a different way. It does. Right? Like you don't have a one-stop shop like it's done. It's like, oh, I want to stretch myself here. That's for me where I'm at.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I said, girl, a soccer team. OK, keep it positive, sweetie. I was like, you're part of a soccer team. And I love that, though.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
i'm trying to do this give me some guidelines yes yeah anytime like and that's what we need to do share information because information is power yes right yeah and so i i'm i was so proud when i read that that you did that you bought you know you're part of this soccer franchise and i was just like You're like, girl, girl, you got a journal. You got, you got merch. Yeah.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
So yeah, I'm just really proud of you. But again, the dream just grows in a different way while you continue to do the thing that you've always wanted to do.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I just honestly, like, I asked my mom, like, who was I? She was like, you were just observant. And I love to go outside, stay outside till the light came on. Literally, Tika! And he's like, I just climbed trees. Like, there was this...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
No. That's law and order. Yep, exactly. Like, law and order is like 20. Crazy. That's probably the only one. Like Grey's Anatomy, too. Grey's Anatomy. Like, it's very rare. Very rare. So...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You build from it. And what I love about today is literally you can start right now. Yes. It doesn't have to look pretty. Nope. It could be what it is until you grow. Yes. Like, if you want to do something, literally you can. And there's so much access now and information. So much. And I'm like... Oh, I'm going to do everything. You know what I mean? And do it well.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
But like, you're just, I don't know. I think you are a complete inspiration to so many and to all your friends. Thank you. And, you know, it made me be like, let me get up. Let me get up. Let me stop watching the show and go, let me write my book. Write my own show. Yeah, like just do it. Exactly. Writing. So I'm doing that too. Just writing and creating and like, Ownership.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah. And that's the thing. When you can call somebody who's in a position of power. Can I just tell you something? I go in every room now and I say, I can tell who doesn't have power and who does.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I say, I have seen real power move. Like, real power. Yes. Not middleman energy.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
crazy blackberry tree in my friend's yard which is so weird to have in like a concrete jungle right but it was huge we would climb in and just eat blackberries and we would go to each other's houses and like it was amazing like that block was like I lived there until I was like 10 years old I remember everybody's name you know it was like Top Cat like it's all these like new new
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I'm not playing with y'all. I need somebody who can make decisions and who can make it happen. So every time I, even now, like you still, people think again, when you're in these positions that you don't get roadblocks and you don't get people saying, well, no, you gotta go, this is the route, how it normally happens. And I'm like, yeah, but how else can we get around normally?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, and then also give me the people who can make real, like who has a yes or no.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I've seen it so many times and very few have it in the industry.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Very few have it. Right. And Tyler's one of them.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
To be blessed by God. Sorry. I break out in songs sometimes.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Oh, that's tough. Wait, how do you let me understand this question.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Basically, how do you get your man in order before you get married?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
First of all, she has to understand he may never be at her position. And is that okay? Is it...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
that's yes you have to be okay with it you and be no ask yourself are you really okay with it yeah because that's where that's a real question yes and it's valid and it is and if that's not your thing if it's a no that's okay okay yeah but if you want to help him try to grow then maybe you can connect help connect dots maybe he's not that great at um
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
at organization or whatever that is to get his flow going, whatever that is, finances or career, maybe you can help him connect the dots. Because you also don't want to feel like you're putting more rocks in your backpack.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And so there's a happy medium of feeling like, here are the things that I can help you with to get you on your way, but you have to get on your way.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Can I ask you a question? Yeah. I know this is a quick game, but why are people so against going on a coffee date?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You know what I mean? Like all those names. You're like, are those real names? Yeah, no, those are real names. Like, well, they're fun names. You know what I mean? Like nicknames. But like, yeah, I would hang out. I got into my first fight on the block. Girl, I didn't want to fight. It was a surprise jumping. And I was like, what's happening? Like, no, a jump? Well, sort of.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I'm like, that's a great way to leave early if you don't aren't into it. Right.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Yeah, okay. So I would do, I like wine. Me too. Let's do a wine thing. All right, wine day. I get a little like, with wine though.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Hoodies. Me too. Oh, gosh. Girl, I can't. Look at me. I know you going somewhere.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It was like, I like came. My friend's like, Tika, come. And I was like, oh, okay. I'm like this little, like...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Girl, I need help on TikTok, though, because. Oh, I got you. You know how many followers I have on TikTok? First of all, I don't even think they think it's me.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
This ain't Dika, because she has 356 followers. Oh yeah, that's definitely not true.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Can you guys help me? And not only that, other people have more than me of me. They're acting like me. Oh my gosh. And they're doing the, they did that challenge, the boys to men one, remember? I'm going to swallow, remember? And my niece is like, your challenge is going viral. I'm like, what challenge? Oh my gosh, so you have to do it. No, it's old. It's old now, okay.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I look like a 1900s lady. Late. Late. You're late, ma'am. I mean, like, is it the dance? What is it? Which one?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
think of a little like eight-year-old nine-year-old like okay yeah you know and and i'm like they're like you gonna fight her and i remember the girl's name i ain't gonna say it but um they're like you gonna fight her and i was like fight like fight i was like i didn't fight right initiation right and so literally i had to fight this girl And all I know is, I don't know if it was an angel or God.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I don't know what it was. I blacked out. And I ended up like taking her and swirling her around. It felt like a cartoon. And then I threw her into a thorn bush. And then she was like, I'm done. I don't want to fight you. I was like...
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And I went home. So, but like, that was my, like, it was like, I didn't fight every day, but that was my first fight. The block was so amazing. And, um, yeah. And, and my house felt like we had a house and then I looked at it recently online and it's so tiny.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I thought I lived in a mansion. Yes. And it wasn't. It was not. Same. And I was like, that thing is so tiny. But it felt so mighty for me as a little girl. And for my mom and dad, you know, to buy a house during that time, which was crazy. not a lot of people were buying houses at a young age. So yeah, so that was my little time. And then I moved to Long Island when I was 10.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Well, people are like, girl, that's not New York. That's somewhere. Oh God, be quiet. I'm going to look at the camera. Be quiet.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
That's a good question. I remember in Queens on Saturday mornings watching shows, like cartoons. I remember The Cosby Show. I remember A Different World, like all those things as a kid. And I just remember, the one thought I do remember is I want to be in that thing. And that inside inside that yes, yeah, I don't know how it was it was just a little planted seed.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I remember that as a kid that I want to be in there wow and so that's all I had like there was no like wish like I'm going to do it. Yeah, let's let's go do the arts not I want to be what what are they doing right nothing that seed I remember it was like a spirit of light here. I want to be in there because it was just like. You saw Rudy, you saw all those things.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
And then when I went to Long Island, I don't know, it woke up more. And I don't know exactly why it woke up more, but it felt more feasible. Because by the time I was 15, 16, working at a movie theater.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Girl, I upsold well. For $5 more, you can have this. For $2 more, you can have this. She was like, OK, sure, throw it in. Yeah, so I worked at a movie theater. And it felt like I was next to my dream. Wow. And I was able to make some money, go to New York on the Long Island Railroad on the weekends, take classes. I literally went to Barnes and Noble and got a book on how to become an actor.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
because i didn't know yeah like i didn't the information there was no like internet i don't even think there was an internet at that time yeah no not now back in 19 ridiculous like the ice age you're like girl what how long ago wasn't that long ago it wasn't that long ago i know but it feels like kids make us feel like they do like if you if you were born in 1985 or 1990 i'm like girl calm down
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I know. But yeah, no. So I would go to New York and kind of try to figure, I was just big trying to figure it out. That's it. Like literally trying to figure it out.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
So no, there was no real path. It was just the path happened when I graduated high school and my mom moved to North Carolina and she's like, are you coming? And I was like, No. Wow. I'm going to go to New York and I'm going to go to school and I'm going to try this other thing. And I really thought I was going to go to school, become a publicist and then figure out a way in. Tika, get out of here.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I've been waiting for this. I've been waiting for my phone call. Unfortunately, I was like... Where she gonna call me?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
You too? Yeah. But, you know, I like loved basketball at that time. Like Michael Jordan, like I just, I loved basketball. I was like, I'm going to somehow get in that world too. I was all over the place, but yeah, I wanted to be in the arts. But the crazy thing is our paths. Yes. Similar.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Let's keep it real. I couldn't afford it. I was at a private... I don't know what I was thinking. I was at a private college. Couldn't afford it. They basically were like, you pay this bill or your classes are dropped and you have to leave. I was living in their apartments. on Roosevelt Island. It was a doorman building. That's how private school, like it was nice. Girl, it wasn't a dorm.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It was an apartment with other people. And I basically, they were like, if you can't pay your bill, you have to leave. And I was like, mom, Hey, she's like, I don't have it. And she's like, apply for, um, you know, loans or whatever. They're like, you somehow I couldn't get it or whatever. And I basically, left and I was like, what am I gonna do? How can I get fast money?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
which was going to school, whatever. But my real plan A actually was to act. So it was like, let's do it. Let's go. I literally got thrown in, like thrown out of school, thrown into just the wild.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
My first role that I booked? Um... Okay, so I did two things. I booked, like, I still have video tapes. It's crazy. I have VHS tapes. Oh, wow. Okay. In 1900. So I started doing these, like, after-school special shows. Oh, cute. Yeah, and actually, there's this actress who's, like, working now. We used to do them together. Yeah. And then... And then... I did a Curve commercial.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Kind of. I was like, oh, so who's on Keep It Punk?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Nothing about my journey is overnight. It was overnight for a long time. Long overnight. It was the longest overnight ever. It was in and out, right? Because here's the thing about this entertainment industry. When you're first starting, especially, you still have to keep your job to pay your bills, right?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
Like, there was no... I can't quit. That's a one-off. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, and people think, oh, I got the thing. No, you have to keep your job. I kept my job until I got one life to live. Another job until I got one life to live. Wow. How many years was that? That was... Oh my God, it feels like a blur. Honestly, New York feels like a big blur in my head.
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
It was like going between like struggling but also making it in a way. And I feel like making it is steps. It's not just one big thing. People are like, when was your big break? I'm like, big breaks are in pieces. Right? Because when you book your first commercial, you're like, dude. And then I booked a CoverGirl voiceover. I did Rihanna's You've Got the Look CoverGirl commercial. What?
Keep it Positive, Sweetie
Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter
I get it, though. Sometimes you like, you know, with your friends, you're like, oh, you know, you're busy. I'm trying to get it together. I'm figuring it out.