The Queens, New York native has been experiencing a surge in her career following her role in OWN’s The Haves and the Have Nots, and now the beauty is covering Rolling Out Magazine’s latest edition, shot by DeWayne Rogers.
The shoot features Tika, classy as usual, in an office-ready pencil skirt and coat combo and also features the actress in a paisley romper paired with Giuseppe Zanotti booties.
In the interview, the 33-year-old talks about the criticism black lead actresses on television face for taking on the roles of women with fidelity issues.
Check out some of the excerpts from the interview below.
On being called a “black actress:”
“I don’t walk into a room thinking ‘I’m a black actress, ohmigod.’ I always think ‘I have as much talent as anyone else,’” she explains. “I’ve been black my whole life. I don’t even call myself ‘a black actress.’ White actresses don’t walk around calling themselves ‘white actresses.’ They’re just ‘actresses.’ I go in with the attitude of what is for me is for me and I’m going to make them remember me–even if I don’t get this part.”
On the criticism many black women have of shows like The Haves and the Have Nots, Scandal, Being Mary Jane, etc:
“Life is messy. People make decisions. Sometimes art imitates life and I think, as people of color, we have to understand that we have stories, too, that need to be told. And real or not, that makes a good show and good characters and makes people watch. Some women are not really lifting up other women in these arenas. Which is really sad, because finally we’re getting some kind of voice. Some of the criticism is even louder than ever. But for the most part, I feel that a lot of people are positive about these shows and are happy to see themselves and it’s fun to watch. And it’s not just black people watching the shows—there are other people watching, as well. So I’m grateful for the masses that are positive about it and are entertained.”
On the lessons she has learned in her career, (this sounds like some advice from Uncle Rush!):
“I think one of the most important lessons that I’ve learned is to put your head down and work,” she says. “Don’t look at other people and compare yourself. Just do the work. Because when the opportunity is there, you have to be ready. Make sure your craft is refined and you’re constantly working on it. Plow through the weeds. Go to the auditions and go to the meetings and be on time. Stop looking to the left or the right. Keep your head down and keep moving.”
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