Former “One Life To Live” actress Tika Sumpter will always love her devoted soap fans.
“They are the most loyal fan base ever,” says the bubbly 28-year-old, who spent nearly five years on the ABC afternoon soap. “They’ll basically let you know they were a fan before everything. They’ll definitely bring you back down to Earth.”
But Sumpter — who most recently played savvy, business-minded Raina Thorpe on last season’s “Gossip Girl” — was completely knocked off her feet at an industry party in April when she discovered she had a very powerful admirer: movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
“I was at the ‘Scream 4’ premiere after-party, and I saw Harvey Weinstein come up to the bar so I stepped aside to let him through,” says the Hollis-born, Long Island-raised beauty. “He tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘I love your character on “Gossip Girl.” ’ My heart stopped, and I was like, ‘That’s freaking Harvey Weinstein.’ I freaked out, but obviously not in front of him.
“I felt like it was a sign,” she adds. “I’m on the right path if Harvey Weinstein is tapping me on the shoulder.”
PHOTOS: 100 FALL LOOKS UNDER $100, STARRING TIKA SUMPTER
Indeed, Sumpter, who has been working furiously in modeling and voice-overs since she was 17, can rest assured that she’s blazing an upward trail. After landing on “One Life To Live” in 2005, she left in January to pursue feature films and a music career recording with Angela Hunte, who co-produced “Empire State of Mind.”
She scored the coveted “Gossip Girl” role, in which she luckily romanced both Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford’s characters, and this month she’ll play Anna Faris’ pal in “What’s Your Number?” a comedy that explores how the taboo number of sexual partners affects the potential for a successful relationship.
“It’s really funny, or at least it was when we were there,” she says with a giggle.
And don’t think just because her stock is rising, her number of conquests is keeping pace. “The directors said everybody [in the cast] was going to have to say their number in the credits. I was so scared. It’s not high, but I made fun of myself,” admits the sexy singleton, who says she’s “boy-crazy” these days.
But, shrinking, indecisive suitors needn’t bother the vibrant, funny gal.
“I like guys who know what they want and can take the lead. They get major points for taking initiative because I have to control so much in my own life, I don’t want to have to tell anyone what to do,” she adds emphatically. They should also have a healthy appetite if they score an invite to the actress’s Edgewater, NJ, home, which sits on the Hudson and overlooks the Manhattan skyline.
“I like being at home and cooking. I just made branzino stuffed with crab. I grill lamb chops and just enjoy cooking fish and vegetables. I have a great kitchen. I’m overlooking Manhattan while I cook. I’ll have a glass of wine. That’s a night for me,” she insists.
One thing that Sumpter isn’t firm on is her personal style.
“I’m a Gemini, so I change my look whatever way the wind blows. Sometimes I feel boho chic and others, I feel Armani chic. Some days, I can be in Converse and jeans,” says the conscientious shopper, who hits both the high end at Nordstrom and the low end at Target.
“I love a bargain,” she says with a excited squeak.
The Post put the rising star with an eye for a deal in 100 pieces of clothing under $100, and the fashion chameleon approves.
“They looked like something out of fashion magazine the way the colors were all put together. And the fabrics were great,” she enthuses.