Duration 2005–11 Introduced by Frank Valentini Portrayed by Tika Sumpter Sister Evangeline Williamson | Created by Dena Higley Classification Former, regular Creator Dena Higley Residence Paris | |
 | ||
First appearance July 15, 2005 (2005-07-15) Last appearance January 24, 2011 (2011-01-24) Significant others Cristian Vega, Oliver Fish, Antonio Vega, Vincent Jones Similar Cristian Vega, Evangeline Williamson, Vincent Jones, Nash Brennan, Talia Sahid | ||
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, playing the role regularly through September 14, 2010. Sumpter reappeared in the role November 9–10, 2010, and January 21 and 24, 2011.
Character history
When Sumpter originates the role in 2005, Layla arrives in fictional Llanview to live with her sister, then-Assistant District Attorney Evangeline "Vange" Williamson (Renee Goldsberry) after pursuing an acting career Los Angeles. 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 takes a secretarial job at Buchanan Enterprises, soon dating suave boxing promoter Vincent Jones (Tobias Truvillion). Vincent manages Cristian "Cris" Vega (David Fumero), later fixing a fight for Cris to lose. Layla eventually finds out and she dumps Vincent.
In 2007, Layla co-founds the Exposed fashion line alongside 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 were, however, rescued by police officer Talia Sahid (BethAnn Bonner). Layla and Vincent renewed their romance briefly before she breaks up with him again Vincent leaves Llanview.
In 2007, Layla and Talia moved in together after Evangeline's condition remained unchanged, along with Sarah Roberts (Justis Bolding). By 2009, Sarah leaves town and Talia dies in a police-involved shooting, leading friend Cristian and police officer 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 believe him to be gay. While at the gym, Layla encounters Kyle Lewis, she begins to suspect 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.
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 her good friend, Adriana Cramer. Layla and Cris struggle with their long distance romance and in her absence, Cris connects with Gigi Morasco. While in Paris on an art 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.