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.

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.

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?

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?

I was like dancing on a table, kidding.

I was like dancing on a table, kidding.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.