I was signed to a record label when I was younger. I was in a group, and I just wasn't - personally, I wasn't ready to get out there. I don't know. It was a pop group. Not like the Spice Girls, but when you don't have any control over anything, it's disheartening.

Tika Sumpter

Categorized in : You Know Group Control

Don’t look at other people and compare yourself. Just do the work. Because when the opportunity is there, you have to be ready. Make sure your craft is refined and you’re constantly working on it. Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to the left or the right. Keep your head down and keep moving.

Tika Sumpter

weed opportunity moving

I was working in customer service and had a verbally abusive boss. One day, I decided to quit and pursue my acting passion with everything I had. One week after quitting, I booked One Life to Live.

Tika Sumpter

boss passion one-day

I want to do good, and I want people to be happy, and sometimes when youre a people pleaser, you spread yourself too thin.

Tika Sumpter

want sometimes people

I know it's cliche to say, 'When you do something you love you never work a day in your life.' But it is true: When you do something you love, life gets to be a little bit easier and enjoyable. So I just want people to follow their dreams.

Tika Sumpter

love-life dream love-you

A lot of the times we don't see enough of strength. Imagery is obviously a large part of it. I think it's important to see her [Michelle Obama] passion, her complexity, and to see her be challenged. Whether it's about forgiveness, or wanting to do more, it's what it is.

Tika Sumpter

passion important thinking

On a personal level, you wear different masks.

Tika Sumpter

mask levels different

I'm an actress, model, and singer.

Tika Sumpter

actresses models singers

[Director Richard Tanne] was inspired by their [Barack and Michelle Obama] flirtation, and their connection. That's not normal with politicians who are married - they usually look forced or awkward.

Tika Sumpter

awkward connections directors

I think she [Michelle Obama] is reluctant to date someone she's above at work. It's 1989, she's at a law firm, surrounded by mostly white men, and she has to prove herself every day.

Tika Sumpter

white-man men thinking

Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to the left or the right. Keep your head down and keep moving.

Tika Sumpter

down-and weed moving

I love Motown, that whole era. Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson. I just put on Pandora, and put it on Motown, and it makes me smile; makes me smile so much.

Tika Sumpter

make-me-smile pandora eras

My mom was an opera singer, and she gave up her career to raise a family. But she also taught my sisters how to sing.

Tika Sumpter

opera careers mom

I think the best part in going to the movies is you feel something and you relate whether its to family struggles or dimming your light for someone. I would say to never dim your light and to really, truly follow your dreams.

Tika Sumpter

struggle dream thinking

I didn't go into this thinking, 'Oh, my gosh, the Republicans are coming after us,' it's just like, how can you not fall in love with these two endearing people?

Tika Sumpter

politics

We sent the script their camp, one of our people did, and supposedly it got the thumbs up -- not the official thumbs up -- but they have it, they know it's happening, and they know that we're here. They know a lot, let's just say that.

Tika Sumpter

politics

I used to work at a movie theater and sold hams at Honey Baked Ham during the holidays. I sold a ton of hams, and they offered me a regular job there, which I turned down. I feel like anything you do, just do it 100% because then that work ethic will bleed through when it's time to work on your dreams.

Tika Sumpter

dreams me work time

I think one of the most important lessons that I've learned is to put your head down and work. Don't look at other people and compare yourself. Just do the work. Because when the opportunity is there, you have to be ready. Make sure your craft is refined and you're constantly working on it.

Tika Sumpter

yourself you work people

I feel most bossy in jeans, a white t-shirt, a leather jacket and some heels. I just feel bossy that way. I also feel confident in a sick dress at a premiere. Like most women, as long as I'm comfortable in it, I feel confident.

Tika Sumpter

dress women sick long

If you're with me, you'll know if I want to kiss you or not. There will be no question. When it comes to that stuff, I'm pretty bold with the eyes.

Tika Sumpter

kiss eyes me you

I live by myself. I come in the door, I can throw my stuff on the floor. I can leave the dishes.

Tika Sumpter

door live myself i-can