Why Not Me w/ Tika Sumpter

Summary

Podcast Summary: Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: "Why Not Me" with Tika Sumpter

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

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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.

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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])

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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])

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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]

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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.”

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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!

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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

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

Transcript

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Calling all my sweeties to the forefront. I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Welcome to the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. The place where we heal, grow and learn together. This week's guest is the beautiful, multi hyphenate talent, Tika Sumter. She's an NAACP nominated producer, director, children's book author, and a podcast creator who's been steadily redefining what it means to move with ambition, grace and grit in Hollywood. We're talking about none other than Tika Sumter, a powerhouse talent who starred in a billion dollar blockbuster like sonic the Hedgehog 3, made her Sundance directorial debut with the Night off, and is co producing and starring in the new Amazon MGM rom com in collaboration with Tyler Perry. Oh, and did we mention that she's also releasing her first children's book, I Got it from My Mama, and creating an animated podcast for kids. In today's episode, we're talking about storytelling, motherhood, ambition, and the creative fire that drives one of Hollywood's most inspiring voices. Get ready for this conversation, guys. Cause you do not want to miss it. Tika, thank you so much for coming.

[Ashanna]

I've been waiting for this. Oh, my.

[Tika Sumpter]

I've been waiting for my phone call, Unfortunately. I was like.

[Ashanna]

And when's she gonna call me? And.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You'Re like, when I getting that call, girl, you and Tyler both. I think I was getting a side eye from both of y' all for kind of.

[Tika Sumpter]

I was like, oh, so who's on Keep it Punk? Oh.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And I still haven't been. You're like, why am I not on?

[Tika Sumpter]

I get it, though. Sometimes you like, you know, with your friends, you're like, I don't. You know, you're busy. I'm trying to get it together. I'm figuring it out and I want.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

To have it right when I call.

[Tika Sumpter]

On certain people, girl, it's right.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And it's perfect. This is the perfect timing.

[Tika Sumpter]

Perfect, Perfect.

[Amira]

Yes.

[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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yes, yes, you were.

[Tika Sumpter]

I mean, I'll tell the story. You were an extra on Stomp the Yard too, right?

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And 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?

[Ashanna]

Ok. Her hair is cut.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I'm like, your hair is all cut.

[Ashanna]

And I was like, she pretty?

[Tika Sumpter]

And you're just. But you were just so present and so not trying hard to be anything but who you were.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I just always wanted to kind of. I was like, are you okay?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You were so sweet to me.

[Tika Sumpter]

I. Like, I don't know why I was gravitating toward you, but I do now. I just always saw, like, you're just. There's something. Such a good spirit there. You're beautiful.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love you.

[Tika Sumpter]

You too.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Dropped it. Same thing. I was like, you are stunning.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And I remember that and how kind you were to me in that moment. And then fast forward, like two years later, you booked Candace on have and have Nots. And I walk up to you as I'm a PA at that time. This is like, I just started.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I was a PA at the studio. And I remember walking up to you saying, hey, Tika, I don't know if you remember before I could even get.

[Ashanna]

He's like, crystal, yes. Oh, my God, girl.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I was like, because, you know, like, you're an extra. And like, some people like you, you were a well established actor at that time. So I was like, I was still.

[Tika Sumpter]

Fresh and, you know. But I'm nice to anybody. Yeah, but I'm nice to everybody. I don't care what you can do for me if your spirit is great. I actually became really good friends with another extra on One Life Toys. She's my friend now.

[Ashanna]

I just.

[Tika Sumpter]

But you're not just that. You don't just go there to be an extra.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right.

[Tika Sumpter]

There's more in your world that's coming, obviously, so. But I don't care. It's like, you're a good human, but the fact that we saw each other on halves and you were. I can't believe you were pa.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

I always feel like I remember you as the head of the department.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah. No, I started at the bottom. Now we here.

[Ashanna]

Oh, my God.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, I started there. And I remember it was just a breath of fresh air. Cause you just, you know, sometimes with actors and just this industry, period. Not even just actors. You don't know what you're gonna get from one day to the next. Like, y' all can be having a great conversation in one setting, and then you see them and they act like.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah, they like, who are you? Who.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I'm sorry.

[Tika Sumpter]

God. We talked about God.

[Amira]

We did.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I don't know him. You be like, you don't.

[Tika Sumpter]

Good luck.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

They're like, crazy.

[Ashanna]

You're like.

[Tika Sumpter]

We literally had a deep. I was crying, literally.

[Ashanna]

You don't remember.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, my God.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So I've had instances like that. But to see you and then you, like, just embracing the way you did just as a young black woman, still trying to figure it out and navigate this industry and find my footing and to see where I fit in, it meant a lot.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, my God.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And then to have you as a. Now is this Years of friendship.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, my God. 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's not.

[Tika Sumpter]

It's where you finish. And you have. You're gonna keep going.

[Amira]

So I'm proud of you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I'm proud of you. So I'm excited to have you on today because I want people to know more about you, just like your journey and where you are today and all the amazing things you've done. Your resume is outstanding.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I'm so proud of you.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So take us back to Queens, New York.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, my God.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Young Tika.

[Tika Sumpter]

Little Tika.

[Amira]

Little Tika.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I want to know, like, from the.

[Tika Sumpter]

Beginning, I just, honestly, like, I asked my mom, like, who was I? She was like, you were just observant. And I loved to go outside, stay outside till the light came on. Literally.

[Ashanna]

Tika.

[Tika Sumpter]

And it's like I climbed trees. Like, there was this crazy BlackBerry tree in my friend's yard, which is so weird to have in like a concrete jungle, right? But it was huge. And 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 kid. Like, it's always like new noo, right?

[Ashanna]

Like, it was like all those names. You're like, are those real names?

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Ashanna]

Girl, I didn't want to fight. It was a surprise jumping. And I was like, what's happening?

[Tika Sumpter]

Wait.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No, a jump. Well, sort of.

[Tika Sumpter]

It was like a. I like, came.

[Ashanna]

My friend's like, tika, come.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I was like, okay.

[Ashanna]

I'm like this little, like, think of.

[Tika Sumpter]

A little like 8 year old, 9 year old. Like, okay, yeah. And I'm like, they're like, you gonna fight her? And I remember the girl's name. I ain't gonna say it.

[Ashanna]

But they're.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, you gonna fight her? And I was like, fight? Like, fight. I was like, I didn't fight.

[Ashanna]

What?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Initiation girl.

[Ashanna]

It's like a gangland, right? You know?

[Tika Sumpter]

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. I don't know what it was. I blacked out, and I ended up, like, taking her and swirling her around.

[Ashanna]

It felt like a cartoon. Bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop, bloop. And then I threw her into a thorn bush.

[Tika Sumpter]

No.

[Ashanna]

And then she was like, I'm done.

[Tika Sumpter]

I don't want to fight you.

[Ashanna]

I was like, period, period. Look, if young teeth could say period, it'd be period, period. Please don't bite me. Please.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I didn't want to do this.

[Ashanna]

Anyway, then I went home, so. But, like, that was my.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, it was like, I didn't fight every day, but that was my first fight.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So.

[Tika Sumpter]

But the block was so amazing, and. Yeah. And my house felt like we had a house. And then I looked at it recently online, and it's so tiny.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Isn't it crazy? I just went back to my hometown in November, and I was taking them. We were going to the house we lived in, and I was like, it felt so much bigger when I was a kid. Girl, you couldn't tell me there wasn't a mansion.

[Ashanna]

Girl, I thought I lived in a mansion.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And it wasn't right.

[Amira]

Same.

[Tika Sumpter]

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 not. Not a lot of people were buying houses at a young age. And so, yeah, so that was my little time. And then I moved to Long island when I was 10.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And they say, that's not New York.

[Tika Sumpter]

People like, girl, that's not New York. You're the suburb. Oh, God. Be quiet. I'm looking at the camera. Be quiet.

[Ashanna]

Just be quiet.

[Tika Sumpter]

It's New York. Okay.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That is funny. Being in New York, I feel like it's a melting pot, and it's a place where you have access to so many things. So whatever it is that you want to do, there's something in that city that you can tap into to help build that character. What drew you to the arts? And was that something at a young age? Or was it later on in life where you're like, this is what I want to do?

[Tika Sumpter]

That's a good question. I remember in Queensland on Saturday mornings watching, like, shows, like cartoons. I remember the Cosby Show.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Not a.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, I remember a different world. Like, you know, like all those things as a kid and you're just. I just remember. But one thought I do remember is I want to be in that thing.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

In that. Inside that.

[Tika Sumpter]

Inside that thing.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I don't know how. Like, it was. It was just a little planted seed. Like, I remember that as a kid. That line, I want to be in there.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

And so that's all I had. Like, there was no, like, wish, like, oh, I'm gonna do it, girl.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, let's. Let's go do the arts, Mom, I wanna be in. What are they doing? Nothing. It was just that seed. I remember it was like a spirit of like, I wanna be in there. Because it was just like, you saw Rudy, you know, you like, saw all those things. And then when I went to Long Island, I. I don't know, I kind of grabbed it. Woke up more, you know, And I don't know exactly why it woke up more, but it felt like more feasible. Cause by the time 16, working at a movie theater, I worked at a movie theater.

[Ashanna]

You did? Yes. This summer.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I was just a concession girl.

[Tika Sumpter]

Not just we, we sold. Girl. Girl, we upsold. Well, for $5 more, you can have this. For $2 more, you can have this. Okay, sure. Throw it in. Yeah. So I worked at a movie theater and it felt like I was next to my dream.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, And I was able to make some money, go to New York on the Long Island Railroad on the weekends, take classes. Didn't know. I literally went to Barnes and Nobles and got a book on, like, how to become an actor. Because I didn't know, Like, I didn't the information. There was no, like, Internet. I don't even think there was an Internet at that time.

[Amira]

Yeah, no, not.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Not when we.

[Ashanna]

Back in 19.

[Tika Sumpter]

So ridiculous.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like the Ice Age. You're like, girl.

[Tika Sumpter]

What?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

How long ago? Wasn't that long ago.

[Tika Sumpter]

It wasn't that long ago.

[Ashanna]

I know, but it feels like kids.

[Tika Sumpter]

Make us feel it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

They do.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, if you.

[Ashanna]

If you were born in 1985 or.

[Tika Sumpter]

1990, I'm like, Girl, calm down.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, calm down. Cuz it definitely makes me feel old when I see those. I'm like, I did like, missed it by a few years.

[Ashanna]

Calm down.

[Tika Sumpter]

I know, but yeah, no. So I Would go to New York and kind of try to figure. I was just trying to figure it out. That's it. Like, literally trying to figure it out.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[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.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm gonna go to New York, go to school, and I'm gonna try this other thing. And I really thought I was gonna go to school, become a publicist, and then figure out a way in.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Tika, get out of here. That was my.

[Ashanna]

Shut up.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's my dream.

[Ashanna]

Is that you?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's my dream, yes. No, I went to college. I was a mass com major with an emphasis in pr.

[Tika Sumpter]

And you. You wanted to.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I wanted to be a publicist for athletes. Yeah. I wanted to, like.

[Ashanna]

Wait a second.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Me too.

[Tika Sumpter]

But, you know, I, like, loved basketball at that time. Like Michael Jordan. Like, I just. I love basketball. I was like, I'm gonna 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.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And how similar.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Very similar.

[Tika Sumpter]

But I didn't finish school.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay, so what happened? What was the money? Come on, let's keep it real.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, 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.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, girl.

[Tika Sumpter]

It wasn't a dorm. It was an apartment. With other people.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I was like. She's like, apply for, 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Listen, she's, like, joking.

[Ashanna]

Nah, I have to say it back.

[Tika Sumpter]

She went, oh, really?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Hey, listen, you gotta do what you gotta do. This is a safe.

[Ashanna]

It's a safe space. No, I know. People be like, tika was dancing girl.

[Tika Sumpter]

No, no. But I was kidding. But, no, I had to waitress. So, like, every actor.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

So I just started Waitressing. And I was like, my actual real. My plan A, 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's it.

[Tika Sumpter]

I literally got thrown in, like. Like thrown out of school. Thrown into just the wild.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So what. What was your first role that you booked?

[Tika Sumpter]

My first role that I booked my first one.

[Ashanna]

Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

So I did two things. I booked, like, I still have the videotapes. It's crazy. I have VHS tapes.

[Amira]

Oh, wow.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

In 1900. So I started doing these, like, after school special shows.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, cute.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And actually there's this actress who's like, working now. We used to do them together.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And then. And then I did a Curve commercial. Do you remember Curve perfume?

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

It's a Duane Reade now.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

In the Curve store.

[Ashanna]

I'm not trying to.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

If anybody was that thing.

[Tika Sumpter]

So I was in a Curve commercial shot in New York City.

[Ashanna]

And.

[Tika Sumpter]

And it was so cool. So cool.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So that was a big deal then. Girl was that girl. It was the girl.

[Ashanna]

I couldn't afford Curve.

[Tika Sumpter]

So, yeah, I shot a commercial and then I started shooting more commercials. And. And then I got into voiceovers.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

And so, yeah, that's how it all started.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That is amazing. I love that. What was that? Like, how many from the quitting or getting kicked out of school? Basically, like, you got to go. You got to go to busing tables to that first commercial. Like, what was that? Cause a lot of people think, like, oh, she just. Overnight.

[Tika Sumpter]

Nothing about my journey is overnight. It was overnight for a long time. A long overnight. It was the longest overnight ever. It was in and out. Right. Cause here's the thing about this entertainment industry. When you're first starting, especially, like, you still have to keep your job to pay your bills.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Tika, I be trying to tell these children today. Yeah, you have to work until you get there. You can't just.

[Tika Sumpter]

No. And I booked a commercial. Like, there was no, I can't quit. That's a one off.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know what I mean? Like, 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.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

How many years was that?

[Tika Sumpter]

That was. Oh, my God. It feels like a blur. Honestly, New York feels like a big blur in my head because I was. I was. It was like going between, like, struggling but also making it in a way, like. And I feel like making it is steps. It's not Just one big thing. Like, people are like, when was your big break? I'm like, big breaks are in pieces.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Right. When you book your first commercial, you're.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like, dude, that was.

[Tika Sumpter]

Then I booked a covergirl voiceover. I did Rihanna's. You've got the CoverGirl commercial.

[Ashanna]

What?

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes. When she was the COVID girl.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

I did a ton of voiceovers. Like, a ton of voiceovers. And so it was like steps of like. Okay, yeah, the industry's saying yes, yes, but not fully.

[Amira]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I can't leave my job yet.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right.

[Tika Sumpter]

And so it was like. It was a validation that I'm on.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

The right path, you know?

[Tika Sumpter]

On the right path. Yeah, yeah, it was a validation.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Sometimes you need that.

[Tika Sumpter]

You need it. And I think what people need to know most is like, again, like, making it is steps. It's not just some people do make it like that. I don't know. I always thought. And I thought I would be that one.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, you're shooting in New York, and you're like, I'm gonna walk by this set.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And they're like, wait, director, stop, stop.

[Tika Sumpter]

Who is that? Who is she?

[Ashanna]

Yeah, yeah, stop. Every time. Every time. I.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I'd walk slowly and I'd look outside, I'd look at the production, like.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Walking past Law and Order. Suu, you're like.

[Tika Sumpter]

You're like, is anybody out here gonna. No one.

[Ashanna]

Cause you hear these stories. I used to hear Natalie Port was.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, picked out of a. You know, whatever. And, like, all these people are picked out.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And I was like, at a football stadium. Like, somebody saw her on the jumbo trying to find that girl. I'm like, girl, that is not my story.

[Ashanna]

That's not my story. That's not my story.

[Tika Sumpter]

But I thought it was gonna be. But. And that was okay. But. 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Shout out. Soho.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay. Yeah. It was when no one understood what Soho House was.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Or private members club. Now everybody knows it's a thing.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And they were like, you have to be a member to get in. 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.

[Ashanna]

Do you know who that is? That's. No, you have to let them in.

[Tika Sumpter]

She's like, sorry, but you can apply to be a member, you know? 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 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.

[Amira]

Yeah, I know.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I know what you mean.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah. And then I booked, and then after that, I. I'm sorry. You can ask me any question you want.

[Ashanna]

You can interrupt me.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm just excited to be.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No, I love.

[Tika Sumpter]

So, yeah. And then I, like, literally walked out, and 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. Like, I. I want to be part of this industry.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I felt like, it's been a minute, and the struggle feels long when you're in New York.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I can.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I struggled here in Atlanta, so I can imagine a New York struggle. The cost of living.

[Tika Sumpter]

Cost of living.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Just like the. Just the life.

[Amira]

Yes, yes.

[Ashanna]

Just. Just. It's rough.

[Tika Sumpter]

I mean, partying is fun. Like, I did go out a lot in New York.

[Ashanna]

That was fun.

[Tika Sumpter]

But. But what was not fun was like, when is this gonna happen? Like, when is this dream actually gonna work? You know, that was placed in my mind when I was such a little kid.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, And I'm walking down the street crying. A lady's like, are you okay? I'm like, I did have a boyfriend at the time. He was great, and he's 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 to say, like, I'll take care of you.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

But then, like, literally a week later, I booked One Life to Live. Literally. Literally one summer. They're like, 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

But, like.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah. So that journey to. Even my first job was such. I would not change it for the world.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Same.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No, you can't. I think those. The moments that happened in between landing what we would say, your first big job are so vital.

[Tika Sumpter]

Vital.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, my God.

[Tika Sumpter]

Vital.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Because they literally can, like, make or break you. And if it happens too fast, it can break you. But those little moments really build character. They build tenacity yes. And the grit.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I really do believe I can pivot. You ain't going to catch me on my back foot.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I can, I. I can get out of this mud. Put me in any mud, I'll get out of it. Because I. I've seen people go through worse.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I've also, I've had my own journey of just like, okay. Knocking on doors. Knocking on doors.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I mean, I knocked on a casting director's door after I went to the casting. This is me in New York. This is, 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?

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

So I went to an audition. I didn't get it. Right.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, but why didn't I get it?

[Ashanna]

Why didn't I get it?

[Tika Sumpter]

So I went to the audition and I was like, you know, I had 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 went in with my braids or whatever and so I walked out. Whatever. Do you know that day I went and took out my braids.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Uh huh.

[Tika Sumpter]

And you know when your hair is crinkly.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

So I had crinkly hair.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I went the next day and knocked on the casting director's door.

[Ashanna]

Hi.

[Tika Sumpter]

They were like, hi. I was like, I was here yesterday.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I'm back.

[Tika Sumpter]

I was here. I'm back. You said you wanted curly hair.

[Ashanna]

Tika.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No.

[Ashanna]

You did.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes, I did.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You like, this is what you wanted, right?

[Tika Sumpter]

This is what you wanted. Cause you wanted me, I'm sure.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right. You just wanted different hair here. So here it is.

[Ashanna]

Here it is.

[Tika Sumpter]

Can you talk about out of your mind? She was like, oh, you're sweet. No, no, unfortunately. Thank you, though. We already. We found our purse. Thank you. She was just like.

[Ashanna]

And I was like, okay.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I just wanted to come back, but I let you. But you know, I didn't have you ran into her again on any other projects.

[Ashanna]

They were like, what is happening?

[Tika Sumpter]

She's so green. Green means very new. Yes, but like.

[Ashanna]

What? What?

[Amira]

Right?

[Ashanna]

What? Who does that?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Tika Sumter.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yes.

[Ashanna]

Who does that?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love that though. And I feel like that is a part of your character of like having that. Why not me? You know, that makes you have the confidence to go after the things that you want.

[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.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, I have to do this. There is no other option for me. Right. Yeah. I just don't see myself in any. Obviously you grow and you do certain different things, and you. You know, you're an actress, but you also have this. And there are different. But, you know, that ultimate dream of, like, wanting to act is something that you cannot let go of.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I knew that in my spirit, deep in my soul, no matter how many people got picked over me, you know? And also, I was the girl. I remember Asia. Naomi King.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes. Okay. That's who it was.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

So she used to say, I used to see you in auditions and castings, and just, like, you were so focused, you wouldn't talk to anybody. You. Because, you know, Cass, this is when you used to go into Cassie.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And, like, there's a room, and everybody walks in, and everybody's like, hey, girl. Hey, how you, girl? You know? And you're like. And I was. She's like, you used to be so. 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.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm just gonna be me and I'm gonna get it.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And she was like, I just admired you. You just. And, you know, I was like, you did. I said I was. You know, she is so.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

She's beautiful. She's an incredible actor. Incredible.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Love her.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love that. So was there ever a role that you auditioned for that you were like, I wanted that so bad. And then you see who got. We don't have to say who got it, but you see who got. And you're like.

[Tika Sumpter]

I think that is the life of an actor.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You like.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, my God, there are so many roles. Think of every role.

[Ashanna]

Every.

[Tika Sumpter]

Probably every role I didn't get, I probably wanted.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You wanted bad.

[Tika Sumpter]

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 lighting. Like, let me make this look like. No, no, seriously.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like, I'm gonna give y'. All. Taking these braids out. I'm giving you slave.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm gonna give it to you, and I' ma do this. You know what I'm saying?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, I know. So you're that actor that's.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm like, I'm gonna get this. I mean, every. Every. Every audition I ever have done, I put my all into. Not really. Sometimes I'm like, I don't even want to do this sometimes, but, yeah, you do get those.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Your agent sends you stuff, and you're like.

[Tika Sumpter]

You're like.

[Ashanna]

You.

[Tika Sumpter]

You see what I've done?

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

You see if I can, you know.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

If you want me or not. Come on.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

You just want me to beg Sometimes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That is what they want.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, no, for sure.

[Tika Sumpter]

Every time I've missed out on something and whatever happened with that thing, I'm like, that's why.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's why, baby.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know what I mean?

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Or every time I think I missed out on something, I'm like, oh, thank God.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Because there's some shows that I had auditioned for, and I'm like, dang, I really wanted that. And then the show ain't here.

[Tika Sumpter]

It ain't here.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like cancer at the first season, a guy's like, I'm protecting you. I'm trying to let you know what I have for you is for you, and it's gonna have some longevity to it. So just hold on.

[Tika Sumpter]

Just hold on.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Just relax.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah, and that reminds me of like, when, you know Tyler. Tyler. Tyler Perry.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Tyler Perry.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes. You know, he always is like, you didn't want to do the.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Hey, I heard this.

[Ashanna]

I heard that. And I'm like, that's not true.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I heard that. Oprah had to call you.

[Tika Sumpter]

She did call me, and she's like, I don't do this. I was like, okay. You know, but ultimately I did. But I have the audition tape still.

[Amira]

Really?

[Tika Sumpter]

For Candace? 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. But I did it, and I'm so glad I did.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Because it connected the dots in so many different ways. Not only because the fans are incredible.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, my goodness.

[Tika Sumpter]

But because, you know, obviously we all are. We do business with Tyler. You know, he's a friend. He's a. He's all these things. Big brother.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

So I really do believe what is for you really is for you.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Let's talk about a full circle moment with you and Tyler. You co wrote and co produced Sisters in Italy. Is that the name that you guys are sticking with or is it still untitled?

[Tika Sumpter]

Tyler said Sisters in Italy.

[Ashanna]

I'm like, okay, I gotta be Sisters in Italy.

[Tika Sumpter]

I don't know. At first it was called Sis. Like, Jesus. Like, sis.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, that's cute.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah. Isn't that cute?

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

But then it was like, they're like, no. He's like, we gotta change it. Something else. So right now it's Sisters in Italy. Unless it turns into something else. But yeah, that's crazy.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Full circle moment that come about even just from the. Did you decide, like, I want to write a story about sisters. How did that come about?

[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 in my family. And I was like, I wanted to write something where it's also fun and wanderlust 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. In Italy. And one is kind of just all over the place. Can't.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Which is Bresha.

[Tika Sumpter]

Which is Bresha Webb.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Shout out Bresha Webb.

[Tika Sumpter]

Shout out Bresha.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Love her.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So.

[Amira]

Good. Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And so it's like, we either figure it out in Italy or we don't. And so I, you know, and then I brought on a writer, my friend Kimi Ando Catuno, 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, because, you know, you don't want to call your friends.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Exactly.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, you just don't call your friends.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like, hey, come do my podcast.

[Ashanna]

Yeah, you don't want to call your friends.

[Tika Sumpter]

I get.

[Ashanna]

Not really.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

But no, it's totally different. It's totally, totally different.

[Tika Sumpter]

Ask somebody to do a movie.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's different.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I look, shout out to you. He. That is him.

[Tika Sumpter]

I love it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, let me make some phone calls. And they're gonna make the phone call.

[Tika Sumpter]

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. Amazon wants to do it. Just like that.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Just like that.

[Tika Sumpter]

I fall on my knees, and I just like, screaming. People are like, tika, are you kidding?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Mad. It's like you're in the middle of the street. Totally different from New York crying.

[Ashanna]

There we go. Yeah. Yeah. That's my. Like, are you serious?

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And it. And it's different for him because he's never directed anything that he didn't write it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Do everything. Because Tyler is the writer, creator, producer, director. The things. All the things. Bing, bop, boom, bop, boom, bop, bam.

[Tika Sumpter]

And, like, I'm like. I was. And he was like, okay, so we are gonna do this in. He told me the month. He was like, we're.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I was like, you're like, this is happening.

[Amira]

Whoa.

[Tika Sumpter]

I was like, why can't everything happen like that?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I know. That's the power of Tyler Perry, man. That man, he can push the needle and move it fast.

[Tika Sumpter]

So that was a full circle moment for me.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Beautiful. I actually got to come on set this. Oh, my gosh. And we do Italy every summer, so. To see Italy, Darling, we do Italy.

[Tika Sumpter]

Every summer, so I got to come on set.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I got to come on set. And he's like, go outside. It looks just like Portofino. And I was like, darling, yeah, what is this, Atlanta or Portofino? Like, he literally. I was like. I felt like I was in Italy. Like, it was so cool. But then you actually got to go to Chicaterra. Where else did you guys shoot at in Chicaterra?

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

See, we hike there every summer. Okay, so that is one of my. That is one of the most picturesque little towns I've ever seen in my life.

[Tika Sumpter]

I said, y' all about to be overrun, ma'.

[Amira]

Am.

[Tika Sumpter]

Cause when this movie come out, everybody don't want to go there.

[Amira]

No.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's so beautiful.

[Tika Sumpter]

The fact that they built a replica of where we went.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Literally every. I went and cried. Like, he was like, I want you to come see it and see what you think. I was like, I just started crying.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I was like, this can't. This is not real.

[Amira]

Yes, yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, it's real. It's your dream.

[Ashanna]

Oh.

[Tika Sumpter]

Ma', am, it's your dream.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

He gonna make me cry.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I was like.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Cause that's him.

[Tika Sumpter]

That's him.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And then when we went there, I.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Was like, this is that.

[Tika Sumpter]

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 Bresha sings. I had to be in the studio with her picking every. He's like, you're producing your thing. Like you. This is your movie, Tika. 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

To have a black man, the giant that Tyler is. Say, it's in your hands. I'm giving you. This is you. I'm not. Because most people try to come a lot. Even studios, they'll come in and you'll have this amazing idea, and then by the end of the. You're like, this was not what I. What?

[Tika Sumpter]

This is not what we started with. Yes.

[Amira]

Yeah. Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And he does it in a good manner of time. It's not like, let's. Let's do this for five years.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

No, 10 years.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

He gets it done.

[Tika Sumpter]

Gets it done.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And so I'm really excited for everybody to see it. And, you know. You know, I'm just. I'm just really excited that it happened like, I did it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I better get an invite to the premiere. That's all I'm saying.

[Ashanna]

Of course. Darling.

[Tika Sumpter]

Darling.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I have to see it.

[Tika Sumpter]

I cannot hear. You will be at the premiere.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And maybe a few, like, screenings. You know how you, like, send it, like, before it comes out.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, you know, you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah. I need that exclusive.

[Tika Sumpter]

You got that sneak peek. I like it. You know, you will be.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's amazing. So Tyler has been a part of.

[Tika Sumpter]

Your life for a long time.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

For a long time. And for a lot of amazing monuments and milestones in your life. Yes. Speaking of, you met your husband. I was. I remember the. It was the wrap party. I'm sure it already kind of been happening, but I remember I said.

[Ashanna]

You were like, oh.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I said, there's something going on here.

[Tika Sumpter]

I know.

[Ashanna]

And she's sitting next to him a little too long. Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Y', all, they look too friendly.

[Ashanna]

I was like, it's not like, let's.

[Tika Sumpter]

Just ask, you know, it was not.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It wasn't.

[Ashanna]

We weren't giving private.

[Tika Sumpter]

It was like, we're not together at all.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It was like, we go together real bad.

[Tika Sumpter]

Real bad. I know.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like, two weeks later, so I think you may call me the next day. Like, girl.

[Amira]

So.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah. What you saw is what you saw what had happened.

[Tika Sumpter]

Happened.

[Ashanna]

What had happened.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So we know Tyler has this big thing, like, where he doesn't really like for actors to date because it can cause, like, messy. How did that happen? Like, what was it like? Was it the moment you saw him, you were like, ooh, Officer. What's his name? Officer Justin.

[Tika Sumpter]

Officer Justin. Justin. How is that me and my husband?

[Ashanna]

So crazy.

[Tika Sumpter]

So crazy to me.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

No. Another insert of Tyler Perry.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

It's like, you know, my butt always looking at somebody, like, maybe, right?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's me now.

[Tika Sumpter]

Maybe.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Is there a future there?

[Ashanna]

I know.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You're like, at this age. I'm like, is that my husband or no.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Or is it just a few nights?

[Ashanna]

No.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm not kidding.

[Ashanna]

Not kidding. Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

No, I. I saw Nick. He was in the makeup room with Gavin Houston. And there was. There was a few other people there. And I had my dog with me.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Past the makeup, Lola, who I had before everybody.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I passed the makeup room, and I went, mm, mm.

[Amira]

Oh, yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

But I'm Tika.

[Ashanna]

Yeah. No, no.

[Tika Sumpter]

And then he goes, is it a girl or a boy? And I go, lola.

[Ashanna]

And he was like, I was so nervous talking to you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

He's like, so it's a dicagra, people. I want to hear. Oh, the dog's name is Lola. It's definitely a girl. You missed all that.

[Ashanna]

And so.

[Tika Sumpter]

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 gonna do. 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.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

And he was so cute. And I was like, maybe.

[Amira]

Wow.

[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?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

What the heck, Tika, don't do that.

[Ashanna]

What the helly? And he didn't call me really.

[Tika Sumpter]

He thought I was married. I go, what? Why would I give you my number?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right?

[Tika Sumpter]

He's like, I don't know. I just got like, no way. There's no way you would be single. You know? And I didn't. I thought you, like, whatever.

[Ashanna]

Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

So then we went to Tyler Leffley's birthday at an all black club.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Mm. Nick at an all black club.

[Tika Sumpter]

Nick was at an all black club with another guy who worked on the show who was white, too. And Nick was just like.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Cool, Cool.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I was like, are you okay?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Do you need anything?

[Tika Sumpter]

Are you fine?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Is everything okay?

[Tika Sumpter]

Do you need anything? Are you sure you're good? He's like, why wouldn't I be good?

[Amira]

I'm good.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You're married. Why are you asking all these questions?

[Ashanna]

What's the problem? Right?

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm like, no, I just want to make sure you feel comfortable, like you. He's like, no, I'm good, girl.

[Ashanna]

Go sit down.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, what are you doing?

[Ashanna]

And I think that was my nervousness.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, I was like. And then his friend had to tell him, I think she likes you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

He's probably like, what?

[Tika Sumpter]

He's like. He literally said, what? No. No way. And he's like, she likes you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, man.

[Tika Sumpter]

And then that night, he was like, okay, let me.

[Ashanna]

And then that night, it was history. We sealed the deal. I love it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love it. Now you have a beautiful daughter.

[Tika Sumpter]

Beautiful daughter.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You had it. Oh, my gosh. Your wedding was absolutely so stunning.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you so much.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, my God. That was a good time.

[Tika Sumpter]

That was so fun.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

We danced. My feet hurt, like, for two days afterwards, we danced.

[Tika Sumpter]

We had so much fun. I'm so glad everybody came early.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

So that we could hang out. We got to kiki in the pool and just talk and just see your face. And Tyler showed up for me in so many ways that people have no idea about.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's him.

[Tika Sumpter]

That he's just. I'm like, just always stand. You know, my dad died when I was younger, and he's like, I'm standing in the gap for him.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I was like, I'm, like, bawling just so many things that he does that nobody knows about, 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You still got your man.

[Tika Sumpter]

He's the pain in my back.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's what I want to ask you. Because, you know, a lot of black women, we try to, like, stick to our brothers.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You know what I'm saying? We leave hope for them.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

At what moment were you like, I'm gonna try this. Was that your first?

[Tika Sumpter]

No.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

No, but I've tried, you know, I've. I sound like a hoe.

[Ashanna]

Like, I'm trying it all. Oh, my God.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love all the players.

[Ashanna]

Oh, my God.

[Tika Sumpter]

I got.

[Ashanna]

What is that song?

[Tika Sumpter]

I got White boy in barrasa. You beep be faza raza.

[Ashanna]

You know, he's like, jesus.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, for sure.

[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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Your brother, My brother, my uncle.

[Tika Sumpter]

Black, black, black.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, and I've dated, you know, people that I just get along, like.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You don't see colors.

[Tika Sumpter]

I don't see. I see you. But I'm like. I also. I'm like, you're just fine.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And you're smart and you're funny. And to me, it's not this. It's just, how do you treat me?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right?

[Tika Sumpter]

Right? Like, how do you love me? Whether it's for a long time or not? It's like, how do we get along? Do I like talking to you?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, and I've loved. I've. One day when I'm 89, I will write a book.

[Ashanna]

Yes, I will write a book.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay. Please tell all.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'll tell all before I croak.

[Ashanna]

Good luck in life.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right. Literally. Literally. This is how I live.

[Tika Sumpter]

But no, I just. There's not like a thing where I'm like, I want to date a white man.

[Ashanna]

I think people feel like, oh, you know.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And I feel like a lot of women, sometimes they get to that point where, like, let me just try something different.

[Tika Sumpter]

Just trying it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right?

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I mean, look. Look at the numbers. I mean, I don't know. I mean, I don't know.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, you got.

[Tika Sumpter]

Whether it's white, whether it's Asian, whether it's Indian, whatever it looks like. Just gotta try and let. As long as they treat you good and as long as they. Finding love is hard.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It is hard.

[Tika Sumpter]

No matter what color you are, ma'.

[Amira]

Am.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Talk about it.

[Tika Sumpter]

Keeping love is even harder.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I wanna ask you about that because you're dealing with two different upbringings, two different temperaments. How was that adjusting? And, like, even I know. Nick and I have talked, you know, like, in the very beginning, he's like. I said, like, how do I. You know what I'm saying? I'm like, bro, you gotta. This is a sister here. You know what I'm saying? Everybody, you know what I'm saying? The family comes with everything.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And that was what I did do as I got into therapy, because I thought he was the problem. But then Amira was held up and it was like, oh, girl, you 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.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Including what I will accept from family or not. And including making this new family.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know what I mean? Like, then when you have a child, that's a whole other thing. But, yeah, we're very. We grew up very different.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And so understanding. Not that my mom relied on me, but I was like, I made it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I got you.

[Tika Sumpter]

I got you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And your mom will be right there with you, child.

[Tika Sumpter]

She complained the other day, I don't go nowhere no more with you.

[Amira]

You know?

[Tika Sumpter]

And I was like, that's because you're. Yes. Like, I gotta take care of you for real. Like, you're like, I want pasta and lobster.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No.

[Ashanna]

Yeah, you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You fit, right?

[Tika Sumpter]

I got a black girl on the rasa, My tikka.

[Ashanna]

And she.

[Tika Sumpter]

We eat pasta. I'm like, girl, come on.

[Ashanna]

Like, sit down.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's a difference. Especially when you have your own family.

[Tika Sumpter]

It's a big difference. 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, you know? And I'm like, that's. It's good. We love each other. It's just you go through constant changes.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Fixes. And constant, like, you know, and then change with your child. And there's just so many dynamics in a household.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And so to hold it all together is like. It's a lot. You know, and then having time for yourself. But he's an amazing dad. And he treats me well and more than well. And we are building our lives and continuing to build our lives and happily.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's a beautiful life. Thank you. Yeah, it really is.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love that. And you have a beautiful daughter, Ella.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You created the Adventures of Curiosity Cove, and then you have a new book. I get it from my mama. And Ella inspired this. Yeah. And I heard you say earlier that one of your first gigs was doing, like, after school, like, videos. So I feel like the Curiosity Cove kind of ties back into what you were doing in the very beginning.

[Tika Sumpter]

It's so crazy. Isn't that crazy? It's so crazy how. And I was doing cartoons, too. Voiceovers.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

So it just. It's crazy how it all melds together. We started Adventures of Curiosity Cove. Aocc. If you can't remember Adventures of Curiosity Cove because Ella, when she was younger, like 3, 4, she would ask us, tell her stories off the top, like, off the dome.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Don't remember. Tell me a story.

[Tika Sumpter]

Tell me a story. Like, I was like, give me a hot 16 bucks.

[Ashanna]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

So then it was this girl, right? And she lived down, you know, it's like, I had to tell all these stories, and then she's like, another one. I was like, another one. I was like, girl, I don't have storytelling. I'm exhausted.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

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 or in the. She was in the bath, and I was like, oh, you love podcasts. Storying. We tell stories. Why don't we create something that would be amazing, that we think we can do really well into a podcast. And so we created Adventures of Curiosity Cove, which is about emotional 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, I created, you know, I got it from my mama with Ella on the COVID So, yeah, it all worked together.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's beautiful. I actually read it this morning, and it's such a cute book. And I love how she. Like children do they often imitate everything they see?

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And there was a morning you were making. You were making the pancakes, and she spilled the batter trying to get the cinnamon. And you, like, just leave. Please leave. And then she did the same thing to the kid at school. And I loved how the emotional Awareness where you're teaching her how to apologize. And then she in turn does the same thing with the kid at school.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That was so good. I was like, wow.

[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.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Right. And so I wanted to 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.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

To a child.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

To a child.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I always, people, you know, some people are like, some people think they'll lose their power. And I'm like, I am giving her the best power ever because she has a voice.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Come on. You know, we talk about, we want our kids to have voices when they get older. They don't have it when they're younger. It's going to be hard to find when they're older.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So true.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

So I just tried to create that world. And I want parents and kids to have fun reading. I love when 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. Please not that book again.

[Ashanna]

I don't want to read it.

[Tika Sumpter]

Please, Jalala, please read it. I'm like, I don't wanna read it. You read it.

[Ashanna]

Right?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Read to me.

[Ashanna]

You read to me.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, so. Yeah, so Ella loves it and I hope, you know, other families do too.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You're also part of the Sonic Hedgehog franchise and you're one of the few black women that are part of a billion dollar franchise. What does that feel like?

[Tika Sumpter]

Say that again, Chad.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

One of the few. Let me give it to you better. One of the few African American women that are part of a billion dollar franchise.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay, baby girl. A blessing.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

A blessing.

[Tika Sumpter]

A blessing.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[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 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 didn't know who I Don't even. I don't even know who the cast. I didn't know who anyone was. I just walked in and I was kind of like, they're 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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Wow.

[Tika Sumpter]

And then they were like, okay, great, thank you. And I was like, okay, okay, bye.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I don't know what's happening. Right.

[Tika Sumpter]

And then they called and they were like, they'd love for you to be part of it. That was it.

[Amira]

Wow.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That was it.

[Tika Sumpter]

That was it. It went from knocking on the door. This is curly hair. You want me to. Yeah, we want you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

This is what we want.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes, we want you. And so, and writers direct, Our director, our cast, our crew, our producers. They have treated me like gold.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's good.

[Tika Sumpter]

They have made me feel amazing. Like an actress should feel.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Like, when she's part of something that is making the company a lot, you know? And I'm just proud to be part of a franchise. Not everybody gets to do that, so.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's so true. I'm proud of you.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It was amazing. Now, did Ellie get to watch that oh, my God. And hear your voice? Did she. Did you say, hey, I'm doing this, I'm in this movie? Or did you just let her be? Like, wait, is that you? No.

[Tika Sumpter]

So she saw the first one she. When she was like, three.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay, four.

[Tika Sumpter]

She was. That's the first movie she sat through and was like. And I had to like, 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. Cause she'll be like sometimes she's like, mom, I don't want you to leave. Like, you know, she's like, we said something the other day. I go, you don't want me to be an actress anymore? She goes, no, you have to be in the Sonic movies. Like, I don't care what else you do.

[Ashanna]

Right.

[Tika Sumpter]

But the Sonic movies, you gotta 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 she was fun. So I'm just. I'm like, super proud. That's the one thing that she can watch that I'm in, you know, And.

[Ashanna]

Yeah, so.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah, you're right. Haves and have nots, baby.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

She is not watching. She's like mom. She's like mom. I don't like when she act like that Candace character.

[Ashanna]

No.

[Tika Sumpter]

She'll be like, sometimes that's you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

We got season similarities.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

She's like mirror.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, that is funny. What is next for Tika Sumter?

[Tika Sumpter]

What is next? Oh, that's a good question. I think I have so many things in the pipeline. I'm kind of like you. Like, I'm into building. I never want to be only relying on a system that easily throws people out. Right. And so I am building my company, Fort Sumter Media, to content to content to product and 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. There's some great podcast stuff coming up once the contracts are signed. And oh, Watson. I play. Yes, yes. Morris Chestnut.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love his new show. Love. So, okay, shout out Morris.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

On Watson. So I'm excited about that. That's coming up. There's a two part finale that I'm. And then, yeah. Survival of the Thickest is out. I play the love interest in the world.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I just started watching that yesterday while I was getting my hair braided. So. That show is funny.

[Tika Sumpter]

It's funny.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's so good.

[Tika Sumpter]

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. So, I mean, there's always gonna be. People are like, you got 50 million, 11 jobs and do. And do.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yes, we have to. And that's another thing. People think once you, like, reach success that it just, it's easy. No, you have to keep building from that place. It doesn't stop.

[Tika Sumpter]

You keep. And you just. I feel like your dream grows in a different way.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It does, right?

[Tika Sumpter]

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. I'm like, I want to do this.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, so I love that for you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I remember you called me one day. I think it was right after I got the soccer team. You like girl.

[Ashanna]

I said girl. A soccer team. Okay. Keep it positive, sweetie. I was like, you're part of a soccer team.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I love that, though.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

But I love that we can call each other and like have hey, girl. How? And what? And how can I get it? You know, these are conversations that we have and like podcasting. Like, how did you do this? Like, knowing that you have a girlfriend that you can call and the same, I can call you. Like, tika, I'm trying to do this. Give me some guidelines.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes. Yeah, anytime. Like, and that's what we need to do. Share information. Because information is power.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Right?

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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, girl, you got a journal.

[Ashanna]

You got.

[Tika Sumpter]

You got merch. You got.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You know what I mean? Merch.

[Ashanna]

Yeah. Merch. Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So that's me, exactly. I love that. I remember you said. You just said something about being part of an industry that can just throw you away. And that was like, after we came out. Strike. And I told you that, too. I said, girl, after that strike, I said, I gotta. I can't depend on this. Because it gets. It's easy to, like, have all this money coming in because acting pays the bills, you know, Especially when you're on a show that goes for as long as our shows are gone.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yours is on nine years.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Nine seasons. Isn't that crazy?

[Tika Sumpter]

Just nine seasons.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Nine seasons.

[Tika Sumpter]

That's a long counting time.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah. Most shows Normally stop around 5 or 6.

[Tika Sumpter]

5 or 6 if you're lucky, if big if. That's not normal. No, that's Law and Order.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yep, exactly.

[Tika Sumpter]

Law and order is like 20 crazy. That's probably the only.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like, Grey's Anatomy, too. They.

[Tika Sumpter]

Grey's Anatomy, like, it's very rare.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Very rare. So, girl, keep your job, baby, and keep working. But you have to be build to people. You have to keep building because they think, like, oh, this is just the one thing I'm going after. You have to build from that.

[Tika Sumpter]

You build from it. And what I love about today is literally, you can start right now.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

It doesn't have to look pretty.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Nope.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So much.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I'm like, oh, I' ma do everything.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know what I mean? And do it well. But, like, you're just. I don't know. I think you are a complete inspiration to so many and to all your friends.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Thank you.

[Tika Sumpter]

And, you know, it made me Be like, let me get up. Let me stop watching this show and go, let me write my book. Yeah. Like, just do exactly right. Writing. So I'm doing that, too. Just writing and creating and, like, ownership.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know, that is so important.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And we were talking before we started filming about Tyler was the one that really kind of showed us what ownership.

[Tika Sumpter]

Real ownership, real ownership looks like.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And for us, what it looked like and how. Because we don't see a lot of people in those positions or to know that, hey, no, you should be doing this, too. And this is how you need to set up your deals. And when you do your contracts, you should be asking for this. And there were so many things, like, afterwards, they're like, why is this not already taken care of? I'm like, oh, I didn't know. Ask for that.

[Tika Sumpter]

Ask for it.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I say, I have seen real power move. Like, real power.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Not middleman energy. Real power.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Who does she sound like? Ashanna. Ashana be like, yeah, this ain't it.

[Ashanna]

Where's the chickens? She said, just like, you okay? Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay. Because I'm not playing with y'.

[Amira]

All. Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

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 got to go. This is the route, how it normally happens.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right?

[Tika Sumpter]

And I'm like, yeah, but how else can we get around normally?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

How else can we get. I like that. And Because I'm not a normal girl, because.

[Tika Sumpter]

And why does it have to be normal? Like, let's knock that over.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Groundbreaking things.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah. And then also give me the people who can make real power. Like, who. Who has a yes or no?

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know?

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I've seen it so many times, and very few have it in the industry.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Very few have it.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right.

[Tika Sumpter]

And Tyler's one of them.

[Amira]

Yeah, he.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

For sure.

[Tika Sumpter]

One of them.

[Ashanna]

How lucky are we to be blessed by God?

[Tika Sumpter]

Sorry, I break out in songs sometimes. You don't have to.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Tika. You are absolutely amazing. Before we close out, we do what is called our positive outcomes Listener letter. This is where our listeners write in. Ask us a question, and we give them advice. You Down.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm down for whatever you need.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

All right, let's do it. This one comes from Jennifer o', Neal, and she says, how do you give a man who you're dating potential husband? Oh, we just talked about that. To get his finances, profession, and life in order so we can experience a life together. Oh, that's tough.

[Tika Sumpter]

Wait, how do you. Let me understand this question.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Basically, how do you get your man in order before you get married?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah. Or how do you give him the time to get his life in order? Like, you have someone that you feel could be your husband, but he needs to get his finances, profession, and life in order so that you guys can experience the life, basically. I know what you're saying, girls. Jennifer, you're saying you want him to be able to experience the life that you want.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Because sometimes, you know, you feel like you're in a position and the person that you're dating may not be able.

[Tika Sumpter]

To meet you there. First of all, she has to understand he may never be at her position. And is that okay?

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You have to be okay with that.

[Tika Sumpter]

And be real. No. Ask yourself, are you really okay with it?

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Because that's real.

[Tika Sumpter]

That's a real question.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Tika Sumpter]

And it's valid and it is.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And if that's not your thing, if, you know, that's okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

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. At organization or whatever that is to get his flow going, Whatever that is. Finances or career. Maybe you can help connect. Help him connect the dots.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Because you also don't want to feel like you're wearing putting more rocks in your backpack. You know what I mean?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I do know what you mean.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[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.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You have to do.

[Amira]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And I think that's the point of having a partner. That's it, you know, having someone like, we all have different strengths and weaknesses. Here we go. And then if you pair together, like. Okay, wait. You really are a go getter. You just need the right tools.

[Tika Sumpter]

There we go.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Well, I got this. Let me. Let's connect and build this together.

[Tika Sumpter]

There's some tools for my toolbox, but I don't want to have to get. To give you everything.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I need to see what you can do on your own as well.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Jennifer, that's so good. Tika.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, that was great. So we're gonna play a quick game of this or that.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Well, I think I know this one. Well, maybe you like both of them. So, coffee date or wine night? Oh. Ooh, right.

[Ashanna]

Can I ask you a question?

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I know this is a quick game, but why are people so against going on a coffee date?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Well, I don't drink coffee.

[Tika Sumpter]

Well, tea.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Tea. Yeah, I'll do tea. Will you go on a date? Absolutely. Oh, a date. Yeah, absolutely.

[Tika Sumpter]

Well, you look down, so I feel like you won't.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love wine.

[Ashanna]

Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, no, but I'm saying, like, some people are like, that's cheap. No, I've heard girls do that.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm like, that's a great way to leave early if you don't.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right.

[Ashanna]

Yeah. Okay.

[Tika Sumpter]

I was, like, confused.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No, I love that. It's great for, like, really, just no pressure. I feel like, no pressure.

[Tika Sumpter]

And dinner is long. If you're not into it, then you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Got the pressure of him like. So what you doing late? Nothing. I'm going home.

[Tika Sumpter]

I'm leaving.

[Amira]

Bye.

[Ashanna]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay. So I would. Do. I like wine.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Me too.

[Tika Sumpter]

Let's do a wine.

[Amira]

All right.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Wine date.

[Tika Sumpter]

I get a little, like, with wine, though, right?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's different. It's different attitudes or experiences you're gonna get.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

What's going on?

[Ashanna]

Yeah, yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's like.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Tika Sumpter]

So what's going on?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah, what's going on?

[Ashanna]

That's the third, fourth date, right?

[Tika Sumpter]

Okay.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Okay. We'll stick to the coffee for the beginning. Netflix binge or spontaneous road trip?

[Ashanna]

Trip.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, spontaneous road trip.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Beach vacation or mountain escape?

[Tika Sumpter]

I love a beach vacation.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I'm a. I'm a water baby. I love water.

[Tika Sumpter]

It depends if the ocean is calm.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

To Cabo water.

[Tika Sumpter]

No, but, you know, we got to save somebody.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Listen, give me that Mediterranean water.

[Tika Sumpter]

Give me that Bahamas water.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

They're clear water. I can see for miles and miles away.

[Ashanna]

Yeah, give me that water.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Dressing up in heels or chilling in hoodies?

[Tika Sumpter]

Hoodies.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Me too.

[Tika Sumpter]

Oh, gosh, girl. My favorites. Look at me. I know you going somewhere.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

And I'm about to be riding some sneakers.

[Ashanna]

I was like, this.

[Tika Sumpter]

This is. This is cute.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

You're already cute, girl. It don't matter what you put on.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Staying in Face mask or dancing all night?

[Tika Sumpter]

Face mask.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Like facials.

[Tika Sumpter]

Dancing all night.

[Amira]

Yeah.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

That's a good time. Spicy tacos or sweet cupcakes?

[Tika Sumpter]

Spicy tacos.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Texting all day or deep late night calls?

[Ashanna]

Deep late night calls.

[Tika Sumpter]

If I'M calling you. That's a problem. We need to be together.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I know. That's right. Oh, this is good. Rom com movie or true crime documentary?

[Ashanna]

Rom com movie, yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Sharing secrets or keeping it mysterious?

[Tika Sumpter]

Mystery is not fun after the first time around.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Right?

[Tika Sumpter]

I've had mystery. No, thank you. No mystery. What is it? What's the.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Sharing secrets or keeping it mysterious?

[Tika Sumpter]

Sharing secrets.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Yeah. I love that. And then matching tattoos or matching outfits.

[Tika Sumpter]

Tattoos.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Do you have any tattoos?

[Tika Sumpter]

Yes, girl.

[Ashanna]

Oh, I said you can't see them now.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So if you know, you know.

[Tika Sumpter]

If you know, you know.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I knew this was gonna be a great episode. I love you.

[Tika Sumpter]

Thank you. I love you more.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Thank you for coming. I'm proud of everything you have going on. Seriously, guys, make sure you go get her book. Check out Adventures of Curiosity Cove and all the amazing things. We'll let you guys know when her movie's coming out. We're definitely gonna support you and everything you have going on. Make sure you guys follow Tika. Ika Sumpter. That's your Instagram.

[Tika Sumpter]

Yeah, ikasumpter is my Instagram.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Tika Sumter. Follow her because you. You've been doing better on posting.

[Ashanna]

Girl, I'm proud of you.

[Amira]

Yes.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I'm very proud of you, girl.

[Tika Sumpter]

I need help on Tick Tock, though, because.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, I got you.

[Tika Sumpter]

You know how many followers I have on TikTok? First of all, I don't even think they think it's me.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Good.

[Tika Sumpter]

This ain't Tika, because she has 356 followers.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, yeah. That's definitely not true. Okay, we'll talk offline about that.

[Tika Sumpter]

Can you guys help me?

[Ashanna]

Yeah, I.

[Tika Sumpter]

And not only that, other people have more than me of me. They're acting like me.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, my God.

[Tika Sumpter]

And they're doing the. They did that challenge, the Boyz II Men one, remember, in Tyler's room. And my niece is like, your challenge is going viral. I'm like, what challenge?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

Oh, my gosh. So you have to do it.

[Tika Sumpter]

No, it's old.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

It's old now.

[Tika Sumpter]

And I look like a 1900s lady. Late, late. You're late, ma'.

[Amira]

Am.

[Tika Sumpter]

I mean, like, is it the dance?

[Ashanna]

What is it? Which one?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I was just telling them the other day. I was like, I want to do that. That all the kids are doing it. Like.

[Ashanna]

Do they do this in the club?

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

No, it's on Instagram. It's something that the kids are doing. Are they throwing Michael Rainey, like, all his videos on Tick Tock? That's all he's doing. He's dancing, like, on tables. It's like a he does this, and then he does this little dance Savannah and her daughter just did. Zuri just did it. And then they, like, slide down walls and, like, it's, like, so cute. So we're all gonna do it together.

[Tika Sumpter]

He's like, no, we're not. Thank you.

[Amira]

No, thank you.

[Tika Sumpter]

I love you.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

I love you, too.

[Tika Sumpter]

This is great.

[Chris Renee Hazlett]

So good, guys. That was a great conversation. I hope you guys all received the message of your time is your time, and whatever God has for you, he has for you. Tika's story and everything that she talked about was absolutely amazing. I love her journey. It was inspiring for me, and I love to know that I have a sister that we both can encourage and encourage inspire each other. Thank you guys so much for tuning in to another episode of the Keep It Positive Sweetie show. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who could use a little positivity. You guys can follow me on Instagram and all platforms at lovechrystalrenae. In the meantime, in between times, stay blessed, stay encouraged, and remember to keep it positive, sweetie. I'll see you guys next time.