Got A Minute? August 17th, 2012 - 12:00 pm | Posted by Zaria Poem

Juicy Exclusive: Tika Sumpter Talks Music Career and Working With Whitney On ‘Sparkle’ !!!!

The debut of Sparkle is just around the bend and we can’t be more excited about its arrival!

Adapted from the original 1976 film, it has been refitted with an all-star cast that stars JORDIN SPARKS, TIKA SUMPTER, CARMEN EJOGO and the late WHITNEY HOUSTON whose memory is being honored with the upcoming release of Sparkle.

Juicy recently caught up with the beautifully talented TIKA SUMPTER to get the deets on her latest silver screen role.

She talks about learning from WHITNEY and let’s us in on a few goals she’s working to accomplish. Check it out!

Juicy: You’re a lead star in the ‘Sparkle’ remake that will be premiering soon. Tell us a little about your role and how you got casted.

TIKA SUMPTER: I play Dolores. She’s a loving but in control middle sister who thinks she knows everything… loves and wants to protect her family. Dolores is one of [the film’s] three siblings.

I saw the script, read it and auditioned for it, and was like ‘Wow, I’ve got to be a part of this!’ So, I put myself on tape, sent it to LA and then they called me. I went to LA, met with the producers and literally, days later, they called and said ‘You’ve got the part and WHITNEY HOUSTON’s playing your mom.’ I fell on the floor and started crying [laughs].

Juicy: How well did the cast get along?

I’m just so excited to be a part of such a legacy and WHITNEY’s last film. It was a great cast. We were like family and there was camaraderie on set—we just shared a really special moment. It was a moment that we will share with our children, a moment that no one else but we have.

Juicy: You actually sang before getting into acting. What exactly rerouted career paths?

TS: I don’t think anything was necessarily rerouted; it was just that this [acting] lane broke through first. This one pushed first and of course you have to eat and pay your rent [laughs]. Music wise, I’ve kind of put it on hold but now opportunities have presented themselves where I’m working with some amazing people.

Juicy: So you definitely see yourself pursuing music full-time, or at least more, at some point in your career?

TS:Yeah, I’m doing it now! I’m doing a show next month., I’m definitely going to be challenge [myself] to conquer the music world. I’ll have a single, or something soon.

Juicy: Well, getting back to acting, you’re more widely known for your work in TV series. What would you say is the biggest difference between smaller screen and big screen acting?

TS: To me, there’s not a huge difference. With a movie script, your characters are set in stone and in series, you get more time to grow with your characters. I’m just glad to be working, really. You yell ‘Action!’ and I do my job [laughs].

Juicy: What did you learn to apply to your life from working with WHITNEY HOUSTON?

TS: I definitely learned from her. The first thing is humility. She had every right to be a diva if she wanted to be and she wasn’t. She was opposite of that. I don’t care what she’s been through. She’s still WHITNEY HOUSTON, an icon. Her humility taught me no matter where I’m at in life, you have no reason to treat anyone badly. I don’t anyway, but that’s [what I learned]. I admired the way she nurtured us, she always wanted to make sure we were okay on set, she was very caring. The love she shared and her helping other people really taught me a whole lot.

For more info on TIKA SUMPTER, visit tikasumpter.com. Sparkle hits theaters on Friday, August 17!

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