The energy inside the Beverly Hilton was electric over the weekend as the industry gathered for the Sixth Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards. Amid the celebration of culture, excellence, and shifting narratives, I had the chance to pull up and chop it up with the brilliant Tika Sumpter. Known for her versatility and captivating screen presence, Sumpter looked every bit the Hollywood star, but our conversation quickly dove into what happens when you strip the Hollywood glamor away.
From her early days making waves in daytime television to her commanding roles in heavy-hitting dramas and blockbusters, Sumpter has consistently proven she can handle anything thrown her way. Yet, as she revealed during our exclusive red carpet chat, she is still hungry for the types of raw, unvarnished roles that challenge an actor’s core. We also took a trip down memory lane to discuss the enduring legacy of the legendary Whitney Houston, the unique experience of acting opposite her real-life husband Nick James, and whether her New York roots have her locked into the current NBA postseason excitement.
Check out our full conversation below:
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve played a lot of different roles in a lot of different projects. What’s one role that you haven’t played yet that you would actually like to take on?
Tika Sumpter: Oh, I have a lot. I think I just want to really peel back the onion. I like complex characters, and I just want to play people with even more depth. I want to take off the armor—the hair, the makeup—and just be completely unlayered. I want to take everything off and really peel back the essence of humanity. And that doesn’t just mean going “no glam,” it’s about going deeper. I love complex characters, so the more layered, the better.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was it like acting with Whitney Houston in Sparkle?
Tika Sumpter: Oh, my gosh. I think about it all the time. It was incredible. I pinched myself every single day, just thinking, this is not happening. I’m actually having a conversation off-set with THE Whitney Houston.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Was there any advice or any “game” that you learned from her while you were on set?
Tika Sumpter: She was just very happy to be there, present, and grateful. But she also had this incredible force. When she walked into a room, you knew she was there without her having to say a single word. I think there’s something so powerful about having a presence without having to speak. Sometimes we think we have to be loud to be noticed, and we don’t.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was it like being on set with Nick James on The Haves and the Have Nots? He played Officer Justin Lewis, who was a very conflicting character opposite yours, but now he’s your husband in real life. What is it like acting with someone playing a character like that?
Tika Sumpter: You just laugh the whole time! I only acted with him a little bit on certain scenes, but it’s just fun. He is so far removed from that character in real life. Now he’s my husband, obviously, so it was a very interesting experience to act opposite that character knowing who he truly is.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’re a Queens native. New York is home for you. Are you pulling for the Knicks in the NBA Finals?
Tika Sumpter: Of course I’m pulling for the Knicks! I mean, the Knicks, the Yankees—any New York team, I’m down. But yes, absolutely for the Knicks.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Have you been able to watch any of the Knicks’ playoff run?
Tika Sumpter: To be honest, I have not. I’ve been so far behind on all of my sports situations lately, so yeah, I missed it.
Whether she is reflecting on the quiet, room-shifting authority of Whitney Houston or navigating the playful irony of sharing a set with her husband, Sumpter operates with a grounded awareness that is rare in this business. Her perspective on performance—recognizing that true power often lies in stillness rather than volume—speaks volumes about where she is at in her career. She isn’t just looking for the next gig; she’s looking for the next truth to uncover on screen.
As the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards wrapped up a weekend dedicated to those who make an undeniable mark on the culture, Sumpter stood out as a prime example of that very standard. Even if her busy schedule keeps her from catching every single tip-off of the Knicks’ historic run, her New York loyalty remains completely intact. As she continues to seek out those raw, deeply human characters, audiences can rest assured that whatever onion she decides to peel back next will be well worth the watch.
