Who Is Tika Sumpter's Husband? All About Nicholas James

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Prince Williams/Wireimage

Prince Williams/Wireimage

Nicholas James was clueless about his costar Tika Sumpter’s crush on him at first. Now, the former actors on the OWN network’sThe Haves and The Have Notsare married, and parents to a daughter named Ella-Loren.

James got his start acting in the early 2000s, but he didn’t score the role that led him to his wife until 2013. Sumpter, known for her roles as Maddie Wachowski inSonic the HedgehogandMichelle ObamainSouthside With You, always has something kind to say when it comes to her husband.

“Y’all have no idea the amount of love, patience, kindness, care and understanding this guy has shown me. So grateful for you,” Sumpter wrote of her husbandon Instagramin March 2022.

James is always happy to share his own words of love for his wife, too. “This woman! Makes my heart flutter! She’s taught me so much about myself, about my faith, and yes … she’s tamed my ego,” he shared onInstagramin 2021.

So, who is Tika Sumpter’s husband? Here’s everything to know about Nicholas James and his relationship with the actress.

He’s an actor

Tika Sumpter Instagram

After an appearance in the 2006 comedyEating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds, James got his first big break playing Denny Harper in the 2008 horror filmProm Nightand went on to appear in the 2009 comedyFired Up!.

James has also played other strong characters aside from his major role as Officer Justin onThe Haves and The Have Nots,likeNCISandNCIS: New Orleans.

They met on set

Roy Rochlin/Getty

Sumpter and James met on the set of the OWN Network’sThe Haves and The Have Notsin 2013. Sumpter portrayed Candace Young, while James played Officer Justin.

James even shouted out the show’s creator Perry in a May 2022Instagram postabout his wedding to Sumpter, writing: “None of this would be happening without @tylerperry in our lives. We love you!”

Meanwhile, his now-wife spoke about how she had a crush on James and how they finally got together inan interview withRolling Outmagazinein 2021.

“I remember seeing him and thinking, ‘OK, he’s cute.’ We saw each other a few more times and I realized, OK, it’s more than just cute, I kinda like him. I tried flirting and giving him signals but he just didn’t get it,” she said.

She revealed that Leply was also the first to learn about their relationship when he caught them sneaking around on set, saying that after that they were “pretty much public.”

They got engaged in 2016

James proposed to Sumpter on Christmas Day in 2016, and Sumpter shared the sweet details on anappearance onThe Reala year later.

She said that James had set up a scavenger hunt for her throughout their home, and she suspected he was going to propose, but at the end of the trail, she found a new Peloton bike he got for her.

“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool!,’ ” Sumpter shared, laughing.

But it was just a trick: noting that it was their daughter Ella’s first Christmas, Sumpter said he told her that Ella had a letter for her, and the letter was just “beauty.”

“Then he proposed… it was just simple and just awesome,” she added.

Sumpter spoke highly of James during their engagement, both in social media shout-outs and interviews.

“I have the best fiancé, and not just on Mother’s Day or my birthday,” Sumpter said of James, speaking toSELFmagazine in early May 2022. “He just keeps loving me, even if I push him away or I’m upset. I really feel like that’s a gift when somebody can love you no matter what — even when you judge yourself.”

They got married in 2022

Nicholas James Instagram

After five years of engagement,James and Sumpter tied the knotin Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on May 14, 2022.

“I didn’t necessarily always want a destination wedding,” Sumpter toldBridesmagazine, noting that she wanted their guests to have a vacation experience. “It was just something that came to my mind. One of our first trips out of the country was Anguilla, and Mexico definitely has that beautiful, island vibe, so we were like why not do it in Cabo?”

“My favorite part of the planning process was just looking at all of the names of my friends and family who were coming,” Sumpter shared withBrides. “Each one made me smile, so it made me even more excited to plan something beautiful. I wanted everybody to have a great time.”

Sumpter also said that she was excited for this part of their journey together, though it didn’t feel like there was a major shift.

“It’s a continuation of the journey, but I’m looking forward to doing what we’ve been doing, which is making sure that we have a solid foundation. Making sure we’re strong. It’s not a sprint, this journey, it’s definitely not a sprint,” she said.

James shared a photo of himself and his new brideon Instagram a day after the wedding, writing: “My heart is so full. This experience has changed me. I can’t remember a time when I was this happy.”

“I’m married to the best woman, mother and human I have ever met,” he continued. “My wife @tikasumpter is a spectacle! I love our life, our family, and our circle!”

They share a daughter

Rachel Murray/Getty

On Oct. 8, 2016, Sumpter and James welcomed their daughter,Ella-Loren. Sumpter had been quiet about the pregnancy until August 2016, saying that she wanted to experience it herself without the scrutiny of social media.

Speaking toSELFin 2022, she reflected on the birth of Ella-Loren.

“She was kind of a happy accident,” Sumpter said. “I found out I was pregnant the day I went skydiving. I remember I wanted McDonald’s, which I normally don’t eat. I wanted a Big Mac and french fries at 10 a.m.”

“We had only been together for about a year, so we were still getting to know each other, but we said, ‘We’re doing this,' " she continued. “My journey to motherhood has been, ‘It’ll happen when it happens,’ and it did just happen.”

Now that Ella-Loren is 7, Sumpter and James are starting to discuss race with their daughter.

“Nick actually went to the library the other day and got a bunch of books on Pharaoh and Africa, and then one on civil rights. He’s reading this civil rights book out loud and he’s like, ‘This is infuriating!’ And Ella can’t even imagine that time. She’s like, ‘How could people do such a thing?’ “The Underdogsstar told PEOPLE in August 2024, adding, “You don’t want to scare her, but you want to inform her in a way that is age-appropriate.”

Ella-Loren has also asked questions about her mixed-race identity.

“I’m just like, ‘You are both,’ " Sumpter said. “I’m super grateful that she feels like she’s a part of both of us. She doesn’t have to choose at all.”

He’s a supportive husband and father

James isn’t afraid to show his wife love on social media, and Sumpter herself is vocal about the support she receives from her husband.

James penned a sweet message to Sumpteron her birthday in 2023, writing: “Meet: My ride or die! @tikasumpter today is her birthday, but everyday I want you to feel special everyday! Because you deserve greatness!”

Sumpter shared a similar sentiment towards James in December 2021.

“I always tell you I wish I could clone you and spread your care, kindness, patience and love to others. Thank you for all that you do for us,” shewrote on Instagram. “You are the best father, partner and friend a girl could ask for. I’m so very lucky to share this time on earth with you. Oh and therapy, Thank God for our epic therapist. Love you so, so much.”

source: people.com