Tika Sumpter Bumped to Recurring Status with ‘OLTL’

Sunday, July 17, 2010 at 2:10 PM ET by Scotty Gore

Photo: Donna Svennevik/ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — In a message to her fans on her Facebook page, the actress reveals that she has asked to be taken off contract with “One Life to Live” because she “decided this because it’s just time to move on…and time to try other things.”

The news may seem like déjà vu, given that there were rumors to that effect earlier this year that were quickly denied by the Sumpter.  However, this time around the news came straight from the actress herself. 

In a video message to her fans on Friday, Sumpter explains that her decision to be taken off contract (as of July 30th), was her’s alone, and that she will remain with “OLTL” in a recurring capacity, saying that “Whenever ‘One Life’ needs me to come and stop by and do whatever they need me to do I will be there.” You can watch her entire three mintue clip here.

It remains unclear as to how her decision will affect her on-screen love interest David Fumero (Cristian Vega), who recently signed a new contract with the show. 

Sumpter joined the cast of “One Life to Live” as Layla Williamson in 2005.  She has appeared in films such as “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “Whisper Me a Lullaby,” and “Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming.” 

“One Life to Live” airs Weekdays on ABC. Weeknights on SOAPnet. Anytime on ABC.com and SOAPnet.com. Check local listings.