Tina Lifford

Tina Lifford currently stars as the vivacious Aunt Vi in the OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network award-winning drama Queen Sugar. Tina emerged on the entertainment scene over 20 years ago in her debut role as a series lead on the critically acclaimed FOX comedy-drama, South Central. Though the show was short-lived, the impact she made on television screens left a lasting impression. Since then, the Chicago-born actor has been living her artist’s’ dream, starring in roles alongside such Hollywood icons as Clint Eastwood, Danny Glover, Steve Martin, Bruce Willis, Sydney Poitier, Michael Caine and Jennifer Lopez. Her credits include roles in NBC’s series Parenthood, VH1 ‘s Single Ladies, CSI, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, Nip/Tuck, Heroes and her moving portrayal of Winnie Mandela in the Showtime biopic, Mandela and de Klerk. Today, the veteran actress enjoys the sassy role she plays of an older woman in an honest and hot relationship on Queen Sugar, along with a recurring role as CIA Director on ABC’s hit show, Scandal.

Starring in more than 100 films and television shows over the course of her career, Tina’s interest in creating new narratives for women like herself led her to venture behind the scenes and create The Circle, a stage play about how seven diverse women navigate the choppy waters of life.

Shifting perspectives and narratives and challenging what it means to be healthy has inspired Tina to conceive her latest initiative, The Inner Fitness Project. This wellbeing model and guide was birthed out of the need to create a movement focused on making Inner Fitness as well understood and familiar in society as physical fitness. Tina has also published two books: The Little Book of Big Lies. ..and Truths that Set You Freeand The 14 Practices of Inner Health and Wellbeing for Building and Maintaining Emotional and Spiritual Strength. As a licensed practitioner in personal development, Tina designs and facilitates straight talk workshops and retreats for women to teach skills for navigating challenges and creating a more fulfilling life.
Bringing her work and purpose together, Tina’s focus is on using her story ‘ on and off screen ‘ to inspire others to take center stage in their own lives and create the life they want to live.