Pregnant Tika Sumpter Says Her Relationship Isn't Dependent On A Ring
Tika Sumpter Covers Fit Pregnancy And Reveals Whether She’s Planning To Wed The Father Of Her Baby
Tika Sumpter On The Cover Of Fit Pregnancy
Tika Sumpter sure makes pregnancy look REALLY good. The ‘Southside With You’ star covers the October 2016 issue of Fit Pregnancy magazine. Not only does she look stunning inside, but she also gives a lot of juicy inside scoops — including what her parents and “Haves And Have Nots” boss Tyler Perry had to say when she revealed her pregnancy to them.
Check out that answer and more excerpts when you continue.
On keeping it under wraps…but eventually telling your boss:
“I didn’t want to hear, ‘Who’s the dad? Are you with the dad?’ Social media can be harsh, and I’m a mama bear, protective of my family. So that’s why I waited to tell people, including some friends. My friends weren’t mad at me. They said, ‘You did it the way you wanted to do it. You’re an inspiration.’”
“It’s hard to be pregnant, because you get scared about your job. I even felt worried about telling my agent and manager. Then when I was five months, Tyler Perry [her boss, the creator of The Haves and Have Nots] texted me, ‘Are you pregnant?’ Inside, I was thinking, ‘Oh, my god, how did he know?’ I wrote back, ‘What are you talking about? You’re crazy!’ But when I saw him that afternoon, I told him. He just said, ‘I knew it! Tika, this is going to be the best time of your life.’ I feel lucky that he’s been so supportive.”
That’s definitely the way that a boss (especially of TP’s stature) should react. As for the Who’s the dad question — we feel like that’s what everyone is waiting to find out.
Hit the flip for more.
Photo Credit: Fit Pregnancy/NINO MUÑOZ
On rejecting guilt:
“During my first trimester, I was nauseated all day. I couldn’t brush my teeth without gagging. I couldn’t eat meat other than burgers. The toilet bowl was my friend. Now, I just eat whatever I want. My body knows what it needs. Sometimes that’s a salad; sometimes it’s a milkshake, Frosted Flakes, or Kit Kats. I haven’t been working out either. After I walk my dog around the block, I’m so exhausted that I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m going to lie down.’ But I don’t care. There is nothing I feel guilty about.”
She also strikes us as the type who is not going to ever be fat — no matter what she eats during her pregnancy. We know when that little girl is born both Tika and the baby will be just gorgeous.
On the marriage talk:
“One of the first questions my mother asked when she found out I was pregnant was ‘Are you going to get married?’ I’d love to, but maybe in a year or so. I’ve been with my boyfriend for more than a year and a half. Our relationship is not dependent on a ring. I love him to death, and he loves me to death, and that’s all that matters to me.”
We’re just happy she’s in a healthy loving relationship. The ring doesn’t matter attitude seems so common these days, wouldn’t you agree? Still, after seeing all these great pregnancy photoshoots we gotta admit we’d enjoy seeing some bridal photos.
On leaning on your doctor:
“I had a fibroid, which was dormant until I got pregnant. When my baby started growing, the fibroid did too. At five months, the pain was so bad that it brought me to tears. It felt like I was being stabbed repeatedly with a knife, and I was scared for my baby. My mom wanted me to go to the hospital, but I called my doctor first. She calmed me down and reassured me that my baby was safe and prescribed medicine to relieve my pain. Little by little, I got better. My baby’s not even here yet, but I like to think she’s already
kicking butt. She’s like, ‘Excuse me, fibroid. You need to die now.’”
Fibroids are definitely a scary thing. We’re glad it sounds like Tika has it under control. How many moms out there experienced the same thing?
On labor dreams vs. reality:
“In my dream birth, I’d maybe have some contractions and then my baby would come out with Bach playing in the background, my boyfriend holding my hand, and my doula rubbing my back. In reality, I realize it may turn out differently. Giving birth naturally would be great, but my boyfriend knows that if I say I need drugs, then I need them. I have a high threshold for pain, but it’s not like I win anything for putting myself through that. Plans are just plans. I know everything can change.”
It sounds like she’s being optimistic but preparing herself for anything that might happen. Smart move, riiiight?
On teaching your children well:
“There’s so much I want to teach my daughter, including humility, grace, forgiveness, and understanding. I want her to know her worth and that it’s okay to walk into a room and say, ‘Yes, I’m smart and amazing and I have ideas.’ I want to teach her how to be a boss.”
Yes! We love it that she’s already got her sights on raising a strong independent young woman. Tika is gonna be a great mom.
