Layla Williamson

Last updated
Layla Williamson
Tika Sumpter as Layla Williamson.png
One Life to Live character
Portrayed by Tika Sumpter
Duration2005–11
First appearanceJuly 15, 2005 (2005-07-15)
Last appearanceJanuary 24, 2011 (2011-01-24)
Created by Dena Higley
Introduced by Frank Valentini
Classification Former, regular
Profile
Occupation
  • Fashion designer at Exposed
  • Secretary at the Llanview Police Department
  • Secretary at Buchanan Enterprises
Residence Paris, France

Layla Williamson is a fictional character on the American daytime soap opera One Life to Live .

Contents

Casting

Actress Tika Sumpter originated the role of Layla Williamson onscreen July 15, 2005, [1] playing the role regularly through September 14, 2010. Sumpter reappeared in the role November 9–10, 2010, and January 21 and 24, 2011. [2] [3]

Character history

Layla arrives in Llanview in 2005 to live with her sister, Evangeline "Vange" Williamson (Renée Elise Goldsberry) after pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles. [1] She quickly gets a job as a waitress at Capricorn nightclub, then owned by Antonio Vega (Kamar de los Reyes). Antonio and Layla become friends, and Layla moves in with Antonio while he was engaged in a custody battle for his daughter Jamie Vega (Saoirse Scott) with her maternal grandfather R. J. Gannon (Timothy Stickney). Layla pretends to be Antonio's girlfriend and the two gain him full custody of her.

Layla (Sumpter) and Evangeline (Goldsberry) Layla+Evangeline-Sumpter+Goldsberry.jpg
Layla (Sumpter) and Evangeline (Goldsberry)

In 2007, Layla co-founds the Exposed fashion line with Adriana Cramer (Melissa Fumero). They soon hire attractive former baseball player Tate Harmon (Chris Beetem) to model the male underwear line. Layla is devastated when Evangeline falls into a coma following a deadly hate crime instigated by Tate. Tate eventually holds Layla and Vincent, Adriana and Rex Balsom (John-Paul Lavoisier) hostage on the rooftop of the Palace Hotel. They are rescued by police officer Talia Sahid (BethAnn Bonner).

In 2007, Layla and Talia move in together after Evangeline's condition remains unchanged, along with Sarah Roberts (Justis Bolding). By 2009, Sarah leaves town and Talia dies, leading Cristian and Oliver "Fish" Fish (Scott Evans) to move in to offset Layla's housing costs. After a one-night stand, Layla begins to date Fish, but begins to believe that he might be gay. While at the gym, Layla encounters Kyle Lewis, and begins to suspect that Fish and Kyle had a romantic relationship. When Layla shares her suspicion with fellow roommate Cristian, Cristian tells Layla he encountered the two kissing outside of the gym. At the apartment, Fish arrives home with a bottle of wine ready to celebrate their relationship. But, Layla rebuffs his advances and the two end their brief romance.

In June 2010, Cristian and Layla engage to marry, and in July, plan to visit Layla's mother Lisa Williamson (Janet Hubert) to share the news. They travel to Maryland to visit Lisa and face tragedy when Evangeline falls ill. Layla and her mother, after a final eulogizing testimonial to her comatose sister, remove Evangeline with her from life support and she dies. [4]

In the late fall of 2010, Layla and Cris are forced to postpone their engagement as Layla gets an offer to work in Paris with Adriana Cramer. Layla and Cris struggle with their long distance romance. While in Paris on a business meeting, Cris and Layla are reunited, but after a brief resumption of their romance, decide to call their engagement off with Layla remaining in Paris.

Reception

For her portrayal of Layla, Sumpter was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2008.

Related Research Articles

Tika Sumpter American actress (born 1980)

Euphemia LatiQueSumpter, better known as Tika Sumpter, is an American actress, singer, producer, television host, and model. Sumpter began her career as host of Best Friend's Date (2004–2005), a reality series on The N. In 2005, she landed the role of Layla Williamson in the ABC daytime soap opera, One Life to Live, where she starred regularly through 2010. In the same year, Sumpter made her movie debut in her leading female role in the musical drama Stomp the Yard: Homecoming.

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References

  1. 1 2 One Life to Live . Season 38. July 15, 2005. American Broadcasting Company.
  2. ↑ One Life to Live . Season 43. 2010–2011. American Broadcasting Company.
  3. ↑ "Layla Williamson Character Profile". About.com . IAC. Archived from the original on 2013-04-13. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  4. ↑ One Life to Live . Season 43. July 26, 2010. American Broadcasting Company.
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