At Home With Tika Sumpter
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
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The prolific actress, writer, and producer invites us into her Cali home to talk Sonic 3 and her brand-new podcast for kids.
Is there anything Tika Sumpter can’t do? Best known for acting in over 30 shows and films (including The Haves and the Have Nots, Southside With You, and the Sonic franchise), the New York-born & raised creative is also a producer, writer, author of a forthcoming children’s book (I Got It From My Mama), and creator of Adventures of Curiosity Cove, a new storytelling podcast for kids.
Oh, and she also has a newsletter about motherhood, dabbled in media moguldom, and is currently homeschooling her 8-year-old daughter, Ella-Loren, alongside her husband.
Amidst her busy schedule, Tika recently invited us over to show us around her beautiful California home (including Ella’s dreamy playroom/library) and to discuss her motherhood journey, career ups and downs, and her latest projects—including Sonic 3, which hits theaters December 20th.
“Motherhood has shown me that I’m more than ‘just a mom.’ Don’t get me wrong, being a mother is one of the most fulfilling parts of my life, but I’m also an entrepreneur, a wife, a friend, and so much more,” she says, in one of our favorite moments of the interview.
“I’ve learned that it’s okay for my identity to keep shifting. It took time to realize that I didn’t have to lose myself in motherhood. I can still pursue my dreams and honor all the parts of who I am.”
Read about all of Tika’s big plans—and thoughtful observations—in our feature, below! Plus, head to the Shop The Story section, for an abbreviated version of Tika’s very own Mother Essentials list—which include a must-read book, running sneakers, and go-to beauty supplies.
Be sure to follow Tika at @tikasumpter on Instagram, watch Sonic 3 on the big screen starting 12/20, and listen to Adventures of Curiosity Cove wherever you listen to podcasts.
Tika’s makeup is by Mecca Dickerson.
Did you always know you wanted to be a mother?
"I think the idea of being a mother was always there in the back of my mind, but I didn’t have a set timeline for it. That’s probably why I had my daughter later in life. For one, I didn’t meet someone who made me want to expand on that idea until later, and secondly, I’ve always been career-driven. My focus was on my career for a long time. Motherhood didn’t become a more tangible thought for me until later on. Honestly, Ella wasn’t planned—she was the most beautiful surprise."
When you found out you were pregnant, at 36—what were your feelings around it?
"My feelings were all over the place! I was excited and shocked, but also ready in some ways. My life was set up where I could afford to have a child, provide for my family, and still maintain the life I’d built for myself. By that point, I was open to starting a family, so even though it was unexpected, it felt like the right time."
“My focus was on my career for a long time. Motherhood didn’t become a more tangible thought for me until later on. Honestly, Ella wasn’t planned—she was the most beautiful surprise.”
You ended up having a bit of a scary birth experience, including suffering from preeclampsia. Is there anything you wish you had known going into it?
"Honestly, no one can truly prepare you for what happens during childbirth or parenthood. People can try to give you advice, but there’s nothing like actually going through the experience yourself. There are so many unknown factors, and you just don’t know what’s going to happen. They say childbirth is the closest thing to death, and that really resonates with me. You hope for the best, but there’s always a chance something unexpected will happen. Even with all the planning in the world, when you’re in the moment, it’s just that: the moment. It’s raw, unpredictable, and nothing can fully prepare you for it."
Tell us about your daughter's name and the meaning behind it.
"Ella-Loren’s name has a lot of meaning to me. Loren is my older sister’s middle name, and I knew I wanted to give my daughter a family name to honor that connection. Ella felt perfect—it’s elegant, timeless, and also reflects her Italian heritage on her dad’s side (i.e. Sophia Loren). Plus, I’ve always loved the sound of it. When I put the two names together, Ella-Loren, it just rolled off my tongue so beautifully. It felt natural, like it was meant to be. It fits her perfectly. She’s my Ella-Loren in every way. She likes to be called Ella, honestly. She smashed my Ella-Loren dream to bits!"
What excites you about raising a daughter?
"Raising a daughter has been a whirlwind. It’s fun, wild, and exhausting all at once. Now that Ella is eight, I’m watching her grow into her own little person, and it’s incredible to see her independence and unique personality shine through. What excites me most is how much I’m learning about myself in the process. It’s like she holds up a mirror to me and challenges me in ways I didn’t expect. She forces me to reflect, to admit when I’m wrong, and to apologize when I need to. Parenting her has shown me that I can’t just say, 'do as I say, not as I do.' Kids don’t operate like that. They watch, they listen, and they’ll call you out if you’re not practicing what you preach. It’s humbling and inspiring, all at the same time. Kids today are so sharp, and raising Ella has made me a better version of myself."
Over these last 8 years, what are the biggest ways that motherhood has changed you, as a person?
"Motherhood has taught me to see myself more clearly. It’s made me realize where I’ve gone wrong in the past, and how important it is to take accountability. Like, apologizing quickly when I need to. It’s also helped me slow down, take a breath, and express my feelings better. I know that if I can’t express my emotions in a healthy way, I can’t teach my daughter how to do the same."
Has it reshaped your identity?
"In terms of identity, motherhood has shown me that I’m more than ‘just a mom.’ Don’t get me wrong, being a mother is one of the most fulfilling parts of my life, but I’m also an entrepreneur, a wife, a friend, and so much more. I’ve learned that it’s okay for my identity to keep shifting. It took time to realize that I didn’t have to lose myself in motherhood. I can still pursue my dreams and honor all the parts of who I am."
What did your family look like, growing up?
"I was born in Hollis, Queens, but grew up in Long Island, New York. My mom was a strong, regimented woman who worked as a corrections officer. For a long time, she was a single mom, and her strictness came from wanting to protect us from the challenges and dangers of life."
"I come from a big family. I have six siblings, and my dad was a dreamer, an entrepreneur at heart, but he had to grow up fast as a kid. He opened a restaurant at one point, but unfortunately, it didn’t last. Still, he always had this optimistic energy about life that I admired."
“It took time to realize that I didn’t have to lose myself in motherhood. I can still pursue my dreams and honor all the parts of who I am.”
What did your mom teach you?
"My mom’s journey is incredible. She started as a stay-at-home mom, then became a secretary making $13,000 a year and raising four kids at the time. Eventually she worked her way up to become a corrections officer so she could better provide for us. She showed me the power of resilience and hard work, which has definitely shaped how I approach life today. I try not to complain because I understand what struggle is. I saw my mom work incredibly hard first-hand and it was still a struggle."
Are there things from your upbringing that you're consciously trying to incorporate (or not incorporate) into your daughter's upbringing?
"I think there’s this old-school/new-school way of parenting, right? Gentle parenting is the idea that you have empathy, respect, and you honor your children’s feelings. That’s what my takeaway is on gentle parenting. But I also think there are boundaries and respect, which I believe are also included in gentle parenting.”
“I think the things I include in my parenting, for one, is making my daughter do hard things even when she doesn’t want to. For example, she wanted to quit Muay Thai at one point, and we wouldn’t let her. She wanted to quit piano, and we wouldn’t let her. It’s important for kids to finish things. It’s important for them to understand that things get hard, but they can still do hard things.”
“I think my mom taught me grit and perseverance, and that there will be trials you have to go through, but you can get through anything if you’re willing to stick it out. At the same time, I also want my daughter to have an innocent joy, to enjoy life, and to take pleasure in things that don’t always make sense. I want her to play and not have to grow up too fast or see things she doesn’t need to see. I want her to enjoy those rose-colored glasses until she no longer can."
What excites you most about motherhood right now?
"What excites me most about motherhood is the unknown. Watching your child grow is like peeling back layers of an onion. People, but especially kids, are always evolving, always becoming more of who they’re meant to be. I’m excited to see who Ella becomes as she continues to grow. She’s already so kind, curious, and hilarious and I can’t wait to see what she brings to the world—and what the world brings to her."
You recently transitioned Ella from a private school to homeschool. What was that decision like, and what has that process been like?
"I have to give a lot of praise to my husband for really taking charge of homeschooling. While I did all the planning, research, and picked out the curriculum, he’s been the one truly executing it, especially since I’ve been busy with work and everything else. He’s been amazing in making sure her education stays on track, and I’m so grateful for that."
"The decision to homeschool wasn’t an easy one, and we were definitely scared, but we also knew something needed to change. My daughter went into school saying she loved math, and then she came out saying she hated it. That spark in her eyes was gone, except when it came to her friends (whom she still sees regularly). It just didn’t make sense to keep spending so much money on private school when she wasn’t truly grasping the material or thriving as much as we knew she could."
"Since starting homeschool, I know we made the right choice. Ella says it herself all the time—she loves homeschool! Hearing her squeal with excitement, saying, 'I understand math! I understand math!' or, when she says, 'Let’s play a math game!' out of the blue is priceless. She’s also learning things that blow me away, like understanding relationships between China and Russia in the early 1900s, or knowing who certain emperors were, topics I never even thought about at her age."
"Of course, there have been challenges. It’s a big adjustment, and it requires a lot of dedication from everyone involved, but seeing her thrive makes it all worth it. If she ever decides she wants to go back to school, we’ll cross that bridge together when the time comes. For now, though, it’s been such a rewarding journey."
Do you have any tip for parents considering homeschooling?
"1. Do your research: There are so many great curricula out there. We use a mix of resources. 2. Be flexible: Every child learns differently. It’s okay to adjust your schedule or teaching methods as you go. 3. Involve both parents if possible: Having my husband as the primary teacher has been a game-changer for us. 4. Celebrate the small wins: When your child grasps a tough concept or gets excited about learning, it’s a reminder of why you made this choice. 5. Stay connected socially: Make time for your child to hang out with their friends or join extracurriculars so they still have a social life. Ella goes to a co-op."
"Homeschooling isn’t easy and it’s not for everyone, but it’s such a beautiful opportunity to nurture your child’s love of learning and watch them grow in ways you might not expect."
Creativity and art are such big elements of your life—is this something you're trying to infuse into Ella's childhood?
"Absolutely, but I think a lot of it happens naturally, kind of through osmosis. Ella has her own creative passions that she’s developed over time. Right now, she loves the piano, video games, drawing, and building things. She’s so logical when it comes to video games; her mind just gravitates toward figuring them out and beating them."
"She’s also obsessed with building, whether it’s LEGOs or other types of construction toys. She’s basically built a little city on her floor! It’s so fun to watch her work on these things by herself, fully immersed in her imagination. She even told me she wants to own a hotel one day, which I think is such a creative dream."
Is the idea of what "kind" of parent you "want to be" something you think about?
"I think about that a lot. I just want to be a parent who listens, who has fun, and who instills kindness, joy, and respect. I want Ella to always feel safe coming to me with anything and everything—no matter how big or small it might seem. At the end of the day, I just want to be a good parent, someone she can trust and look to for support and love. That’s my main goal."
Did you always know you wanted to be an actress?
"I didn’t always know I wanted to be an actress because, to be honest, I didn’t even know what it was called at first. I just remember sitting in front of the TV, watching people on the screen and thinking, I want to be inside of that. I didn’t know how or if it was even possible, but the stories being told felt like they transported me to another world. It left such an impression on me, even when I couldn’t fully articulate what it was."
"As a kid, I think I had an artistic streak without realizing it. I went to PS 188, and I remember staying after school one day when they played '(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life' from Dirty Dancing. I got up on stage and did an interpretive dance. I was just having fun, completely in the moment. Looking back, I realize that was a part of me exploring creativity, even if I didn’t recognize it at the time."
"Later, I started formally studying acting. I took classes wherever I could find them, pounding the pavement in New York. In high school, I’d hop on the Long Island Railroad and go into the city to study at places like Wes Barron Studios and HB Studios. It was a grind, but I loved it. Those experiences shaped me and gave me the foundation to pursue this career."
What would you consider the first few "big breaks" in your career?
"I honestly think every break feels big, depending on where you’re at in your journey. Your first paying job is a huge deal, like, whoa, I actually got paid to do this! For me, I used to do these after-school specials with actress Becki Newton, which is funny to think about now. I don’t even know where those tapes are (probably on VHS somewhere), but those early gigs meant so much to me at the time."
"That said, I’d consider One Life to Live my first, real big break. It was the job that allowed me to finally stop waitressing, which was such a pivotal moment. From there, things just kept moving. I kept booking work and establishing myself little by little. Each step felt like its own big moment, and looking back, they all played a part in building my career."
How has becoming a mother impacted the way you see your work and career?
"Motherhood has completely shifted my perspective. It’s given me so much more empathy—not just for other people, but especially for children. It’s made me realize how important it is to honor and respect kids as individuals."
"While my work and career still mean a lot to me, motherhood has reminded me that they’re not everything. It’s put life into perspective. I have this incredible responsibility to protect, provide for, and be someone my child can lean on, and honestly, I feel so lucky to have that role. Knowing that I was given this little human to care for is humbling and beautiful."
"It’s also taught me to nurture in a way I didn’t fully understand before. It’s helped me be more patient and to realize that when things go wrong, whether at work or in life, it’s not the end of the world. There’s always something bigger, and more meaningful, to ground me. Motherhood has made me more compassionate, more resilient, and more focused on what truly matters."
You have multiple projects going on, from acting, to podcasting, to publishing a newsletter (and also homeschooling Ella). When it comes to "work"—do you have a regular place or regular hours that you try to work each day?
"As moms, we’re natural multitaskers, so work happens wherever it can—whether it’s a quiet corner of my room or closing the door behind me in another space. Most of the time, I work either at our dining room table or downstairs in our office."
"I try to start my day early, going for a nice walk with our dog before everything gets hectic. Then I make Ella breakfast (she loves my pancakes, so that’s a frequent request) and we all get going. Once Ella’s set for the day, I dive into my work, which usually starts with meetings, planning sessions, or studying."
"I aim to carve-out time in spaces where I won’t be interrupting her homeschool routine, so it’s all about balancing and finding those moments of focus wherever I can. Work doesn’t always follow a strict schedule, but I’ve learned to adapt and make it happen, no matter where I am."
One of your newest projects is the Adventures of Curiosity Cove podcast. What inspired it—and what excites you about this new project?
"Oh man, honestly, Ella was the inspiration for Adventures of Curiosity Cove. When she was younger, her dad and I would make up stories for her, and she’d be completely captivated. She’d always ask for more, saying 'Tell me another story! Make another one!' As she got older, we discovered kids’ podcasts, and she gravitated toward them. That’s when the idea clicked for me: why not create something that blends storytelling with meaningful lessons?"
"What excites me most about this podcast is the opportunity to explore emotional intelligence in a way that’s fun and engaging for kids. I wanted to create a character like 'Ella Curious' who shows that making mistakes is okay, because it’s how we learn. That’s something we always tell Ella: 'Just try. Who cares if you make mistakes?' I want kids listening to know it’s okay to be brave, to feel fear, to learn, and to grow."
"The podcast is also about sparking imagination. I love the idea of giving kids a tool to explore ideas and wonder about the world, without always staring at a screen. Don’t get me wrong, we’re not anti-TV (Ella definitely watches her share of shows!), but Adventures of Curiosity Cove is another way for kids to dream, imagine, and feel inspired in a different way. It’s such a joy to bring the world to life."
Are you a big podcast-listener yourself? If so—what are some of the podcasts in steady rotation for you?
"Yes, I love podcasts! They’re such a great way to learn, reflect, or just escape for a bit. A few of my favorites include Morgan DeBaun’s The Journey and John Hope Bryant’s podcast on money and wealth. I also really enjoy American History Tellers—it’s such a fascinating way to dive into history and understand the stories that shaped us. Podcasts are such a versatile medium, and I love that there’s something for every mood."
You also have Sonic 3 coming up—and a global press tour to go alongside it. What have you found to be the keys to traveling for work while also being a mom?
"Yes, there’s a lot of press coming up for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and honestly, the way I handle traveling as a mom has changed over the years. When Ella was younger, I used to take her with me everywhere. I was that mom who wanted her by my side no matter what. But, once she started attending school, especially when she was in a physical school, I didn’t want to disrupt her routine."
"Now that she’s homeschooled, it’s a bit easier to consider taking her along. That said, I still try to avoid disrupting her daily life too much. Traveling across time zones can be tough on a kid’s body, and I know how important sleep is for her. We did spend a month in Italy recently—part vacation, part experience for her—and she even went to camp there, which she loved, but by week three, she was ready to come home."
"As she’s gotten older, traveling with her has become so much easier. At eight, she’s independent enough to keep herself entertained on flights, watch her shows, and even handle some things on her own, like eating or packing small items. That independence has made balancing work and travel a lot more manageable. But for the press tour, I’ll probably focus on keeping her schedule as stable as possible while I handle the chaos of hopping from one time zone to another."
The Sonic franchise has been a huge global success. What does it mean to you to be a role model for kids around the world?
"It means the world to me. When kids come up to me, whether it’s at the airport, at events, or even just on the street, I feel so grateful to be a part of something they love. It’s such an honor to play a role in their lives through a franchise that brings so much joy. Not everyone gets the chance to be part of a global, successful series like this, and I never take it for granted."
"What really makes it special is how innocent and pure those interactions are. Kids are just in awe, and their excitement and connection to my character is so genuine. It’s a beautiful reminder of why I do what I do, and I truly cherish those moments."
"On top of that, seeing how proud Ella is of me because of the franchise is the best feeling ever. The way she looks at me with so much admiration makes me feel like the best mom in the world. It’s all such a blessing, and I’m so thankful to be part of it."
With so much going on in your life—do you have any creative or spiritual habits and rituals that help keep you grounded, as well as get you creatively inspired?
"Yes, walking is a big one for me. I love to walk, to be out in nature, and just take in the fresh air. There’s something so grounding about looking at trees, breathing in the air, and being fully present in that moment. Walking helps me clear my mind and work through any 'mental clutter.' It’s peaceful and gives me that sense of being connected to myself, and the world around me. It’s a spiritual practice in its own way."
"I also enjoy meditation. While I’m not as consistent with it as I’d like to be, whenever I do meditate, it really centers me and brings me back to a calm place. Movement is another important habit. It makes me feel more connected to my body and helps me reset creatively and emotionally."
Any big goals or happenings—professionally or personally—that you're excited about for 2025?
"I feel like I accomplished so much this year, and I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead. I’ll be finishing my movie that I co-wrote, produced, and starred in, and it’s been such a passion project, and filming in Italy will be a dream. I also have some exciting projects I was part of in 2024 that will be coming out in 2025, so stay tuned for those! I’m also releasing a children’s book, I Got It From My Mama, that's now available to pre-order!"
"For me, 2025 is about continuing to follow my bliss. I want to keep writing, creating, and doing what I love—on my terms. I’m not waiting for anyone to give me permission or tell me yes or no. I’m just moving forward with what excites me and lights me up."
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