Inside Tika Sumpter & Fiancé Nick James' Interracial Relationship: Engagement, Kids, Criticism

Tika Sumpter's private relationship with Nick James was often criticized in spite of the beautiful life they share as an engaged couple and parents to their two-year-old daughter.

In spite of her celebrity status, Tika Sumpter managed to keep her personal life away from prying eyes. We know her to be in an interracial relationship with Nick James who is her fiancé and the father of her daughter, Ella. But there’s a lot we don’t know about the ins and outs of their union.

To give you a clearer picture of what Tika’s life is like beyond the spotlight, we gathered bits and pieces from her past interviews and posts and weaved them into a story worth telling. There is so much to learn about her very private relationship with Nick including their romantic engagement, the criticism they faced due to their differences in race and their first years of parenthood.

KEEPING HER PRIVATE LIFE PRIVATE

Tika was very secretive about her relationship with Nick during the early years of their relationship. In fact, she kept his identity a secret even after she gave birth to their daughter, Ella Loren in October 2016.

The pair met on the set of “The Haves and Have Nots” and would later learn of Tika’s pregnancy. She kept her condition away from the public and only announced it seven months along the way.

Tika described Nick as “the epitome of a human being and a father” on Father’s Day and Nick likewise lauded her on Mother's Day for being the “strongest woman," the best partner to him and teacher to their daughter.

THE BACKLASH THAT CAME WITH OPENING UP TO THE PUBLIC

It was only months after Ella was born when Tika finally revealed Nick’s identity. She explained that her decision to keep him private was to avoid unwanted scrutiny.

She was right to think that way because the moment she shared their relationship to the world, they became the subject of heavy criticism. Trolls slammed her for dating a white man.

Tika responded by clapping back. “Don’t come after my dude like that,” she said while promoting her film, “Nobody’s Fool.” She also suggested that these people who were critical about her relationship were not happy with their own lives.

In early 2017, Tika announced her engagement to Nick on “The Real.” According to the 39-year-old, it happened on Christmas Day and it involved a fun hunt.

Tika’s protectiveness over her relationship also revealed itself in 2018 when someone called her a “bedwench” online. The term is often used to refer to Black women who date White men. It began when a photo of another White man assumed to be Nick was shared online. When someone clarified that it wasn’t Nick, the original poster said, “still a bedwench.” Tika responded by sharing a photo of her kissing the real Nick. “Do better,” she told the troll.

Tika is clear in choosing to love Nick. “I’m just a girl who met a boy and fell in love,” she tweeted. She also told Wendy Williams the same thing – “I fell in love with who I fell in love with.”

HER ROMANTIC ENGAGEMENT

In early 2017, Tika announced her engagement to Nick on “The Real.” According to the 39-year-old, it happened on Christmas Day and it involved a fun hunt.

“He did all of these amazing things. I went on a little hunt in the house…” she said on the show. “I thought he was going to propose. And it was a Peloton bike he’d bought me… and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool!’”

But the best part was yet to come. James later pulled out a letter from behind their daughter who was about three months old then. After Tika read the beautiful letter, James popped the question. Naturally, Tika said yes.

ON BEING PARENTS TO ELLA

Tika and Nick have since been devoted parents to their two-year-old who from time to time graces their social media. From photos they both share, it’s clear they are hands-on parents to the little girl who is a mix of the two of them.

Tika described Nick as “the epitome of a human being and a father” on Father’s Day and Nick likewise lauded her on Mother's Day for being the “strongest woman," the best partner to him and teacher to their daughter.

There is so much love in Tika’s family that it’s a blessing to be privy to it. Here’s hoping we see more of this family which should serve as an inspiration to many interracial couples.