Tika Sumpter Biography

Fast Facts

• Appeared in a commercial with hip-hop artist Common for an AIDS awareness campaign
• Nominated for an Image Award for outstanding actress in a daytime drama series for her role as Layla Williamson on "One Life to Live․"
• The single "Paint the World (America's Theme)," which she recorded with her R&B group Twise, appeared on the "One Life, Many Voices" album to aid Hurricane Katrina victims
• Majored in communications at Marymount Manhattan College
• Started taking acting classes as soon as she could afford to while working as a waitress and going to school
• Quote: "A true trendsetter is somebody who is not afraid to be themselves, even if it's not cool to others․"
• Quote: "I remember watching TV as a kid and aspiring to act․ That's the magic of being young, you feel like the sky is the limit!"
• Best known for playing Layla Williamson on "One Life to Live" and Raina Thorpe on "Gossip Girl․"
• Formed the R&B and hip-hop music group Twise in 1998
• Appeared in the music video for Jason Derulo's "It Girl" as his girlfriend