…..It’s hard to imagine that the 33-year-old has had the time to get a good forty winks in given her dizzying schedule, but she still generously made time for a chat with Knowshi about her most trying characters, who she treasured time with most on the set and how she’s anything but a pushover or an overnight success.

KNOWSHI: You’re the leading lady in the new Ice Cube and Kevin Hart flick Ride Along, what was that like for you?

TIKA SUMPTER (Tika): It was a long process; screen testing with Kevin, going in for multiple readings, I’m just so thankful that Universal picked me and that the producers believed in me. I spent most of the time on set trying to take in anything I can from these men, both of whom have been in the game already for a long time, and I got to laugh while doing it. The movie is a lot of fun, but it’s also about accepting people, especially when they come into your life one way and suddenly show up as someone else and even surprise themselves, I hope you all love it!

KNOWSHI: What’s working with Ice Cube like?

Tika: We’re both Geminis, but we also have these quiet sides, so he’s really quiet at first. Very professional, definitely a big-brother type and a cool cat, he makes sure everybody’s good. He’s very chill and relaxed.

KNOWSHI: Your character in “Madea’s Family Christmas” took so much from her domineering mother Eileen [Anna Maria Horsford], was that a challenging role to nail down?

Tika: (laughs) That’s the first time I’ve ever had to play a docile character: I’m the type of person who would be like “Mom, I can’t, you need to sit down,” and Lacey allowed her mother to walk all over her for a WHILE. Even in character, it was hard for me to watch Eileen come in, act a fool and totally disrespect my home.

KNOWSHI: Tell us about your part in the upcoming James Brown biography, Get On Up.

Tika: It’s a small role; I play one of his love interests in real-life, Yvonne Fair…..(click here for the full interview @Knowshi.com)