Layla Williamson

Infobox soap character
name = Layla Williamson
series = One Life to Live
portrayer = Tika Sumpter (2005-present)
first = July 15 2005
last =
cause =
creator = Dena Higley



caption1 = Tika Sumpter as Layla Williamson in the "One Life to Live" opening sequence


caption2 =


caption3 =
nickname =
alias =
gender = Female
born =
death =
age =
occupation = Fashion designer
title =
residence =
parents = Clarence Williamson (deceased)
Lisa WIlliamson
siblings = Evangeline Williamson
spouse =
romances = Antonio Vega
Nash Brennan
Vincent Jones
children =
grandchildren =
grandparents =
aunts/uncles = Clay Williamson
cousins = Henry
Brenda
relatives =
color = #99BADD

Layla Williamson is a fictional character on the American daytime soap opera "One Life to Live", as portrayed by Tika Sumpter since July 15 2005.

Character history

Layla arrived in Llanview in 2005 after staying in Los Angeles, California for quite sometime. She quickly got a job as a waitress at Restaurant Capricorn, which was owned by Antonio Vega. Antonio and Layla became friends when she stayed with him during the reign of the Killing Club killer. Antonio was fighting for custody of his daughter Jamie from R.J. Gannon, who is portrayed by Timothy Stickney. RJ was using Jessica Buchanan, Antonio's girlfriend's disappearance saying there was lack of a maternal figure as a reason to gain custody. Layla wanted to help and pretended to be Antonio's girlfriend even moving in with him to be convincing. In the end Antonio got the custody of Jamie. Antonio eventually found Jessica, who was suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Antonio and Layla were forced to continue to appear as a couple, so that RJ couldn't appeal the custody ruling. Layla, who cherished her friendship with Antonio and loves Jamie, was happy to go along with the plan. RJ eventually backed off and Layla and Antonio dropped the ruse.Layla later took a job at Buchanan Enterprises. She began to start see the dangerous Vincent Jones. She was told by just about everyone that he wasn't as nice as she thought, but she wouldn't believe anybody. Vincent was the boxing manager of Layla's sister Evangeline Williamson's boyfriend Cristian Vega. Cristian had a promising career and was in a big match when Vincent paid the opponent's manager to make sure Cristian got through the fight. Layla eventually found out and dumped Vincent and was sorry she hadn't believed everyone. Vincent kept pining for Layla but she made it clear she was over him.

Jessica's friend Nash Brennan needed to get over her split personality Tess so she set the two up on a blind date in December 2006 which was successful. However, they decided to remain friends. As 2007 got underway, Layla co-founded a fashion line, named "Exposed", alongside Adriana Cramer. They soon hired attractive former baseball player Tate Harmon to model the male underwear line. Layla was devastated when Evangeline went into a coma following a racially-motivated gas attack. She, along with Vincent, became close again, and eventually learned that Tate was behind the race attacks. Tate held Layla and Vincent, along with Adriana and Rex Balsom, hostage on the rooftop of the Palace Hotel. They were however rescued by police officer Talia Sahid before Tate could be any fatal harm to the group.