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.

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.

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