Exclusive: Tika Sumpter Talks A Madea Christmas and Get On Up DVDsPosted by Wilson Morales
November 28, 2014
Out today on Blu-ray and DVD this week is Tyler Perrr’s A Madea Christmas, which stars Tyler Perry, Kathy Najimy, Chad Michael Murray, Anna Maria Horsford, Tika Sumpter, Eric Lively, JR Lemon, Alicia Witt, Lisa Whelchel, and Larry the Cable Guy.
Madea gets coaxed into helping a friend pay her daughter a surprise visit in the country for Christmas, but the biggest surprise is what they’ll find when they arrive. As the small, rural town prepares for its annual Christmas Carnival, new secrets are revealed and old relationships are tested while Madea dishes her own brand of Christmas Spirit to all.
Playing the role of Lacey is the lovely Tika Sumpter, who currently plays Candace Young on Perry’s hit TV series ‘The Have and The Have Nots‘ on the Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network. The Queens, NY native also has numerous TV programming credits such as ‘One Life to Live,’ ‘Gossip Girl,’ and ‘The Game.’
2014 has been amazing year for Sumpter, who appeared in ‘Ride Along’ with Kevin Hart and Ice Cube, ‘My Man is a Loser’ with John Stamos, and the James Brown biopic ‘Get On Up,’ where she played Yvonne Fair.
With the film now out on home video, what are people expecting to see that they couldn’t get onscreen or if they haven’t seen the movie on screen.
Tika Sumpter: I think there are extras, bloopers, which are hilarious. It’s probably going to be a little funnier because Larry the Cable Guy and Madea. They were going off with each other. And it was just fun and me laughing a lot and trying to keep a straight face.
How much fun was it shooting this movie? You’ve been working with Tyler for some time now. But now you’re doing a movie with him and Larry the Cable Guy and other people.
TS: Yeah. Kathy Najimy, who did ‘Sister Act’ with Whoopi Goldberg? She’s just hilarious. I think it’s just fun to go back and forth and playing opposite her and just a lot of really funny people. Just to note it and just try to put in my backpack for future jobs.
What’s it like being the straight person in a film filled with a bunch of comedians?
TS: Hilarious. If laughter is the best medicine then I should be healed from anything in my future if any ailments come around. All I did was just laugh and just take it all in and just roll with the punches and ad lib with them. And just have a really good time. It didn’t even feel like work at all. It was just a really good time with that.
Although you have since done other projects, what did you take away from this film that helped you out as an actress?
TS: What did I take away? I took away to just watch and listen to people who’ve been in the business for a really long time. You don’t always have to have something to say because sometimes just listening and watching, you take away things that I think are bigger than you. Sometimes people try to just have something to say so they feel like they’re a part of the conversation or that they’r putting in something. But really, sometimes you just should just sit back and just watch and listen and learn so that you can take the things that you have learned from the experience and use them. I just sat back and watched the pros who do this. This is what they do. They’re just funny people. I just watched and learned about timing and all that stuff. So just not always having to speak. I learned I don’t always have to have something to say. You’re not always the funniest when you’re around these people. My friends think I’m funny cause I’m kinda dry funny but when you’re around these people you’re like, okay, you’re not the funniest one in the room so just sit back, be quiet, and learn.
You’ve worked with Tyler on this movie but you also have ‘The Have and the Have Nots’ which has been successful on OWN. You’ve created a character that people now know, even if they remember you from ‘One Life to Live’ or ‘Gossip Girl.’ So how much fun is it that TV has given you a platform to be seen for over 10 years?
TS: I’m grateful that, one that people are interested in seeing me act, and then I’m grateful that I have a job. I’m also grateful that I get to play a character and just explore different characters that, one, I’m nothing like; but, two, that’s the exciting part about being an actor. Playing somebody that people don’t see you as or they’re like, ‘Is that real?’ Or, ‘Can I go up to her and talk to her?’ It’s obviously not real. But to create and be part of creating a character, the one that he came up with, is pretty amazing. It’s fun to work for him. I sit back and watch him and just learn just different things. It’s been a lot of fun and it’s been a blessing.
From ‘Madea’ to the TV show to ‘Ride Along’ to ‘Get on Up’, you’ve pretty much been have on the screen throughout the whole year. It’s been a fun ride for people to say, ‘Oh, she’s constantly working. She’s getting good parts, big or small.’ What has it been like in the last two years for you, as an actress, that you’re able to be called or go in for auditions and some things work out out and some things don’t, but people will be able to see you?
TS: Yeah, I mean some things don’t always work out, you know. That’s the area that no one gets to see. And then some things do work out, but I feel like everything works out for the good of what should be. I just feel like what’s for me is really what’s for me. I’m grateful I’ve been working the past few years and it’s been awesome. I don’t know what it is. All I know is that I work really hard and that I do have talent and I’m confident in that. I’m grateful that people and casting directors and producers want to work with me. You win some you lose some but the ones that I’ve gotten I feel like I’m winning. It’s all really exciting. I’m excited for next year, as well, for ‘Bessie’ with Queen Latifah on HBO coming out. I’m just excited that, whether big or small parts, I feel like there are no small parts. It’s super hard to get any part in a movie, one, and I think sometimes social media makes it seem like it’s so easy. When really I wish they could see the process. It’s not easy at all. I think sometimes social media makes it seem like it is. I’m just super grateful that people believe in me. I’m just continuing to work on my craft and hopefully continue to work and create projects.
What role are you playing in ‘Bessie’?
TS: I play Lucille, the life partner of Bessie Smith. Bessie was a jazz singer in the ’20s. First woman to sell a million records. Super successful. She just lived a really big life. I get to play opposite Queen Latifah and Michael K Williams and it’s so it’s great. Oliver Platt’s in it. I’m excited. I’m just glad to be a part of the HBO family. I’m glad that they chose me for this, and also this amazing director Dee Rees who did ‘Pariah’. She’s fantastic. So it’s just great to work with her, as well.
How much are we going to see you in ‘Ride Along 2’? What’s expected of your character this time?
TS: Well, we’re getting married. So, while my soon to be husband, Mr. Kevin Hart is running around trying to be superman I’m trying to plan a wedding and keep him steady. I hold him down at home and in life; and just making sure he always believes in himself and know that I’m there no matter what. It’s gonna be fun. I’m planning a wedding. We’re getting married and it’s gonna be even more hilarious. They added a ton of new characters. Benjamin Bratt and Olivia Munn and more girl power on there; and Sherri Shepherd. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
Will folks get to see more of you when the ‘Get On Up’ DVD comes out?
TS: I think some of the ‘Get on Up’ stuff that was supposed to be behind the scenes, unfortunately because you guys didn’t see it on the big screen it’s not gonna make it on the smaller screen. Due to just everybody agreeing that if it didn’t make it on the big screen you probably shouldn’t put it on the DVDs. There’s a beautiful love scene. I wish everybody could see it cause it was a pretty poignant part in understanding my character. But you’re going to see more of me. And I’m excited for ‘Get on Up’. And proud to be a part of that and just to have worked with the people who are on it, Chadwick Boseman and the director and all the producers. It’s been fantastic and it just helps me move onto my next situation and my next job. I feel like, no matter small or big, it helps you get to the next phase.
What’s a good reason to pick up ‘A Madea Christmas’?
TS: Because if you haven’t seen it or even if you have seen it on the big screen, it is so funny. Everybody in the family can watch it together at Christmas without being like, ‘Oh my God. Mom, close your eyes.’ Or anybody being embarrassed. It’s just a good family, wholesome, funny, crazy movie. You’ll see some great blooper extras. If you just want to laugh with the family during the holidays, this is the DVD where you’re not cringing because there’s a crazy love scene or anything like that. For the entire family to watch and you just want to laugh and it’s such a good story, pick up ‘A Madea Christmas’.
