One Life to Live's Tika Sumpter (ex-Layla Williamson) has come a long way since Llanview, winning rave reviews for her work in Tyler Perry and OWN's The Haves and the Have Nots, but she's about to go much further. Straight to the White House, in fact!
Accoring to Variety, the actress is taking on the role of First Lady Michelle Obama in the new film Southside With You, which is about Barack and Michelle Obama's first date in 1989. At the time, President Obama was an associate at the Chicago law firm Sidley Austin and asked attorney Michelle Robinson out on a date. The pair went to the Art Institute and saw Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing.
Though the role of President Obama has yet to be cast, there are many behind-the-scenes crewmembers in place: Tracey Bing and Stephanie Allain are producing, Richard Tanne is directing, and both Tanne and Sumpter herself will be executive producing the film -- which the actress initiated by helping develop the original script.
Sumpter appeared on One Life to Live from July 15, 2005 to November 2010
The news was first reported by Deadline.com.
So what do you think about Sumpter in the role of First Lady Obama? And who do you think should play opposite her in the role of the president? You can share your thoughts below in our Comments section below, on our message boards, or by submitting Feedback.
