Tika Sumpter Turns Heads in a Daring Plunging Gown at the American Black Film Festival
Tika Sumpter has graced Hollywood with her gorgeous presence since the early 2000s. The New York native rose to mainstream fame as Candace in Tyler Perry’s hit drama The Haves and the Have Nots. Since then, she’s showcased her versatility in TV and film, including her role as Maddie Wachowski in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise.
Now 44 years old, Sumpter attends red carpet events while balancing her professional and personal life. Recently, she turned heads in a plunging gown at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF).
The ABFF empowers Black artists and showcases film and TV content by and about people of African descent. The annual event’s mission is to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry — something Sumpter is passionate about. This year, the ABFF honored the acting careers of Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard). Keke Palmer received the Rising Star Award.
Sumpter graced the red carpet with one of her most stunning looks yet. Celebrity stylists Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald styled the Ride Along actor for the formal night out. Rising to fame by styling stars like Mary J. Blige and Regina Hall, the LA-based duo is known for edgy, statement-making outfits. Their ensembles consistently land celebs like Tessa Thompson, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Keke Palmer on “best dressed” lists.
For Sumpter’s ABFF look, Bannerman and McDonald opted for a stunning Rhea Costa gown draped in a jersey-like black fabric. They added gold Giuseppe Zanotti heels and gold earrings, bracelets, and rings by MISHO and FKA. The style duo posted a steamy Instagram video of Sumpter modeling her look pre-festival. Fans commented, “Wow. You guys are perfect. She’s perfect. Just a perfect collab.” Another wrote, “I think people sleep on how stunninggggg this woman is.”
Sumpter is celebrating some major accomplishments including the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which premiered near the end of 2024. The mother of one is releasing a children’s book, I Got It From My Mama, in April. She’s also filming a movie in Italy, which she co-wrote, produced, and stars. Sumpter credits motherhood with shifting her perspective about work and her career.
She told Mother, “Motherhood has reminded me that [work is] not everything … 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.
Sumpter credits her 8-year-old daughter, Ella, for inspiring one of her biggest professional projects. The Nobody’s Fool actor and her husband created Adventures of Curiosity Cove, a weekly podcast of storytelling and lessons for kids. “I love the idea of giving kids a tool to explore ideas and wonder about the world, without always staring at a screen,” Sumpter explained to Mother. “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.”
