Podcast Summary: Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: "Why Not Me" with Tika Sumpter

Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Tika Sumpter
Date: May 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Keep It Positive, Sweetie" centers around the multifaceted journey of actress, producer, director, author, and podcast creator Tika Sumpter. Through an intimate and laughter-filled conversation, Tika opens up about her New York upbringing, hustle in Hollywood, the importance of grit and “Why Not Me” energy, her family life, meaningful collaborations with Tyler Perry, and her commitment to storytelling rooted in authenticity, faith, and representation. The episode is packed with both practical advice and joyful reminiscing between two longtime friends making their mark in entertainment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Life and Formative Years

• Queens Childhood:

  • Tika describes growing up as an adventurous, observant kid in Queens, climbing blackberry trees in a tight-knit neighborhood ([05:30–08:07]).
  • “That block was...I remember everybody’s name. 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 not...Not a lot of people were buying houses at a young age.” – Tika ([07:50]).

• Move to Long Island:

  • Family relocated when Tika was 10; she discusses the subtle differences in environment and perceptions (“people like, girl, that’s not New York. Be quiet.” – Tika, [08:28]).

Discovering Her Passion

• Glimmer of Acting:
  • Influenced by TV staples like The Cosby Show and A Different World, Tika remembers thinking:
    • “I want to be in that thing. Inside that.” ([09:17])
  • Early attempts to break in included working at a movie theater, taking New York acting classes, and learning from acting books pre-internet ([10:04–11:25]).

Struggles and Hustle in Entertainment

• Dropping Out and Pivoting:

  • Tika left college due to financial struggles, hustled through waitressing, and lived independently, switching from Plan A (public relations) to Plan A (acting) “for real” ([12:32–13:44]).
  • Quote: “Nothing about my journey is overnight. It was overnight for a long time. The longest overnight ever.” – Tika ([15:34])

• First Breaks:

  • Booked commercials (including Curve perfume), voiceover work, and eventually landed “One Life to Live” after persistence and challenging moments ([14:07–16:40]).
  • She emphasizes keeping a survival job until TV pays real bills, debunking “overnight success” myths.

The "Why Not Me" Attitude

• Tenacity & Persistence:
  • Tika embodies “Why Not Me?” – sharing her story about repeatedly going after auditions and even removing her braids to re-audition with “curly hair” to fit a casting brief ([21:38–23:15]).
  • “It’s the Why Not Me? It’s the thing that won’t let you sleep at night. I gotta do this.” – Tika ([23:57])

Faith, Grit, and Support

• Waiting, Doubting, and Support:

  • Tika recalls times of despair (“crying down the street in New York”), but faith, a supportive boyfriend, and relentless hustle led her to big opportunities ([19:22–20:50]).
  • “Those moments that happen in between...are so vital. They literally can make or break you.” – Crystal ([20:56–21:05])

• Grit, Resilience, and Character:

  • Tika credits hard times for helping her develop conviction, the ability to pivot, and unshakeable resilience ([21:18–21:23]).

Navigating Rejection & Purpose

• On Near-Misses and Auditioning:
  • She discusses the sting of rejection and deep desire for coveted roles, only to realize in hindsight, “what is for me, is for me” ([25:44–27:02]).
  • Memorable: The story of Tyler Perry/Oprah calling about a role she initially hesitated on, which became pivotal in her career ([27:22–28:02]).

Creating New Stories & Representation

• Sisters in Italy
  • Tika co-wrote, produced, and stars in “Sisters in Italy” (working title) with Tyler Perry directing for Amazon MGM, centering sisterhood, grief, and growth against an Italian backdrop ([29:00–34:40]).
  • “I wanted to write something where it’s also fun and wanderlust while dealing with depth.” – Tika ([29:06])
  • Powerful Collaboration: Tyler Perry empowered her to lead as a producer on her own film, a rare experience in Hollywood ([33:04–34:40]).

Family, Relationships, and Boundaries

• On Her Interracial Marriage:
  • Opens up about meeting her husband Nick, adjusting to different upbringings, and setting boundaries through therapy ([35:03–45:17]).
  • “Finding love is hard, keeping love is even harder...Marriage is not easy. It's good, we love each other, but you go through constant changes.” – Tika ([43:05–45:09])
  • Emphasizes not boxing herself in by color, but choosing love and kindness above all.

Storytelling as Empowerment

• Children’s Projects:
  • Adventures of Curiosity Cove animated podcast for kids (focused on emotional intelligence) and debut children’s book “I Got It from My Mama,” inspired by her daughter Ella ([45:44–47:28]).
  • “I wanted to give parents a pass to say, we all mess up. And the mom had to actually apologize to the kid. I didn’t realize how much apologizing I’ve had to do as a mom.” – Tika ([48:09–48:24])

Representation at Scale

• Role in Sonic the Hedgehog Franchise:
  • Tika reflects on her pride at being one of the few Black women starring in a billion-dollar franchise and praises Paramount for making her feel “like gold” ([49:18–51:06]).
  • “Not everybody gets to do that.” – Tika ([51:06])

Career Longevity & Ownership

• Producing, Creating, and Diversifying:

  • Discusses her company, Fort Sumter Media, and her intention to build content, products, and opportunities with women and mothers at the center ([52:27–54:16]).
  • Importance of ongoing reinvention beyond “just acting” to maintain agency and longevity.

• Ownership Lessons from Tyler Perry:

  • Tyler taught her and Crystal about the power of owning their work, negotiating, and identifying real power in the room ([57:05–58:59]).
  • “I have seen real power move. Not middleman energy. Real power.” – Tika ([57:46])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Persistence & Grit:
  • “Nothing about my journey is overnight. It was overnight for a long time. The longest overnight ever.” – Tika ([15:34])
• On “Why Not Me” Spirit:
  • “It’s the Why Not Me? It’s the thing that won’t let you sleep at night. I gotta do this.” – Tika ([23:57])
• On Full Circle Collaboration:
  • “This is your movie, Tika. He’s like, I’m in charge of the directing stuff. But I want you...I tell everybody to go to you!” – Tika quoting Tyler Perry ([33:34])
• On Love Without Limits:
  • “To me, it’s not this [race]. How do you treat me? Whether it’s a long time or not, how do we get along? Do I like talking to you?” – Tika ([41:55])
• On Representation:
  • “...I’m just proud to be part of a franchise. Not everybody gets to do that.” – Tika ([51:06])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Early Bonding & Friendship with Crystal: [02:05–05:08]
• Queens Upbringing: [05:26–08:27]
• Finding Acting & First Hustles: [08:38–13:44]
• First Industry Breaks, On Struggle: [14:02–17:04]
• Persistence Stories—Knocking on Doors: [21:38–23:54]
• On Rejection and “What’s for Me is for Me”: [25:26–28:31]
• Sisters in Italy & Tyler Perry: [29:06–34:40]
• Love, Marriage, Boundaries & Therapy: [35:03–45:37]
• Children’s Stories & Teaching Emotional Intelligence: [45:44–49:17]
• Sonic Franchise & Legacy: [49:18–52:27]
• Ownership & Diversification: [52:27–59:00]
• Listener Question (Positive Outcomes): [59:13–61:32]
• This or That Game: [61:40–64:39]

Tone & Style

The episode is unfiltered, affirming, intimate, and infused with laughter and joy. Both Tika and Crystal openly share personal failures, triumphs, and the sometimes-hilarious details of their creative climb, consistently encouraging listeners to keep the faith, choose self-empowerment, and “keep it positive, sweetie.”

Takeaways for Listeners

• Success is built step-by-step, rarely “overnight,” and requires grit, faith, and flexibility.
• “Why not me?”—the belief that you deserve the room—propels career and life breakthroughs.
• Rejection and setbacks often redirect you toward what’s truly meant for you.
• Building a creative legacy means constant evolution, sharing knowledge, and pursuing ownership.
• Love, motherhood, and creativity are all spaces to practice humility, emotional intelligence, and boundary-setting.
• Encouragement: Whatever “your time” is, it will come; keep knocking and keep it positive, sweetie!

Follow and Support

• Instagram: @ikasumpter
• Projects: “I Got It from My Mama” book, “Adventures of Curiosity Cove” podcast, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” “Sisters in Italy” (forthcoming)
• Host: @lovechrystalrenae

“Information is power. Don’t be afraid to share and lift each other up while chasing your own dreams.”