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Why Tika Sumpter Wore a Jumpsuit to the NAACP Image Awards

We got ready with the star before the big event and found out all the details on her cozy-cool look.

Why Tika Sumpter Wore a Jumpsuit to the NAACP Image Awards
Tristan Kallas

Fact: if we were headed to an awards show, nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, we’d (at least try to) do it the Tika Sumpter way. Thanks to our friend Ali at TBOYaficionado who intro'd us to the actress, we spent the hours leading up to the NAACP Image Awards with her, and the star didn’t show a single sign of nerves, setting out snacks for her team, listening to music, and pulling on a layered jumpsuit rather than a bedazzled gown (better for eating, she revealed). The Southside With You star even had a plan for her hair: pulled back, manageable, in case there was rain. Overall, the setup was perfect for a fuss-free night with friends—and a return to the red carpet post-baby.

We captured Tika’s getting-ready process before the big night, then spoke with the actress for a full recap, including who makes that jumpsuit and if it’s as comfy as it looks.


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“I’ve done [the no-makeup trend] before. The thing that people forget is, even with a clean makeup look like that, it’s still makeup. To get the natural look, you’re still applying a good amount of makeup. I know it sounds crazy, but I tell people this over and over in magazines, even if you’re on set and they’re like, ‘We’re going to do an all-natural look,’ in order to get that you still have to apply makeup. People aren’t just walking out of their house with no makeup on, but it’s very basic and minimal.”

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