Nia Talita Long (born October 30, 1970) is a skilled American actress known for her stunning performances in black films. Her breakthrough part in the legendary film Boyz n the Hood (1991) heralded the start of a remarkable three-decade career.
Nia Long has become well-known for her roles in renowned television shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1991-1995), Third Watch (2003-2005), and Empire (2017). She has also starred in critically acclaimed films such as Love Jones (1997), Soul Food (1997), and The Best Man (1999) and its sequel (2013).
Her ability to easily switch between comic and dramatic roles demonstrates her flexibility as an actress. Her outstanding collection of work has earned her two NAACP Image Awards and a Black Reel Award.
Nia Long is an advocate for a variety of topics, including education, health, and social justice, in addition to her acting profession. She exemplifies how talent, hard work, and dedication can lead to success in the entertainment world.
Early Life & Education
Nia Long, a gifted American actress, was born on October 30, 1970, into a unique family dynamic in the busy borough of Brooklyn, New York. Her parents divorced before she was born, so she spent her childhood in Trenton, New Jersey, with her father, poet Doughtry Long, and South Los Angeles with her mother, homemaker Talita Long, who hailed from the lovely Caribbean island of Trinidad.
Nia Long’s family tree includes another great actress and comedian, her half-sister Sommore. Her mother, a fine arts aficionado, first moved to Iowa City but then relocated to Los Angeles after her marriage preparations fell through.
Nia Long attended three different schools in Los Angeles during her adolescence, including Paseo Del Rey Elementary School in South LA, St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood, and Westchester High School, all while juggling a rigorous extracurricular schedule that included tap, jazz, and ballet lessons, gymnastics, guitar, and acting.
Personal Life
Nia Long, an actress and mother of two, has had a number of notable personal relationships. She was engaged twice, the first time to former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka, with whom she had a son, Kez Sunday Udoka, from 2015 to 2022. In 2001, she married fellow actor Massai Z. Dorsey, with whom she had a son, Massai Zhivago Dorsey II.
Nia Long has also dated a number of high-profile individuals, including rapper and actor T.I., basketball star Chris Webber, and singer Ricky Fante. She has had romances with actors Peter A. Thomas, 50 Cent, and Kevin Phillips, as well as basketball players Cuttino Mobley and Dwight Freeney.
Nia Long has just been romantically linked with artist Omarion, and her admirers are excited to see what the future holds for this possible new romance. While her love life has undoubtedly had its ups and downs, there’s no disputing that she remains a strong and resilient figure, both on and off the screen.
Career
Nia Long’s journey into the entertainment world began with the assistance of her acting coach, Betty Bridges. She made her acting debut on The B.R.A.T. Patrol before landing a major part as Kathryn “Kat” Speakes on Guiding Light, where she stayed for three years. Her big break came in Boyz n the Hood, where she portrayed Brandi, followed by a role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Beulah “Lisa” Wilkes, Will Smith’s girlfriend and fiancée. This character was originally intended for Jada Pinkett Smith, but Nia Long’s ability and confidence gained her the role.
Nia Long was offered the role of Alex Munday in Charlie’s Angels in 2000, but she declined, allowing Lucy Liu to take over. She starred as NYPD officer Sasha Monroe on Third Watch from 2003 to 2005, and she was also a member of the cast of Everwood in 2005 and 2006. He’s had a successful acting career on both the big and small screens, and her versatility is admirable.
Nia Long repeated her role as a character in an interracial romance in The Best Man Holiday, the 2013 sequel to the first film. The crowd and director Malcolm D. Lee both praised this performance. Interracial partnerships, according to the filmmaker, may be necessary for successful African-American women since they “can’t always find black male counterparts on that level.” It is important to note that such relationships are not intended to be critiqued or judged, and they are now commonly accepted in modern society.
Nia Long’s expertise extends beyond acting; she also directed Yolanda Adams’ music video This Too Shall Pass. She also earned the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2004, demonstrating her talent as an actress. She has been in multiple films as both a supporting and lead actor, including films with Ice Cube and Regina King, as well as the 2016 TV series Empire, in which she played Giuliana, the proprietor of a Las Vegas nightclub.
She also portrayed Roberta Tubbs on The Cleveland Show before being replaced by Reagan Gomez-Preston. Nia Long has received numerous awards for her work in the entertainment business, including two NAACP Image Awards and a Black Reel Award.
Net Worth
Nia Long is an incredibly talented American actress with a successful career spanning over two decades and amassed a net worth of $9 million. She has earned her wealth primarily through her acting career.
She has starred in films that have all been commercially successful. Additionally, she has had lucrative endorsement deals with top brands.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @Iamnialong
- Twitter handle: @Nialong
Filmography
- Buried Alive
- Boyz n The Hood
- Made In America
- Love Jones
- Friday
- Hav Plenty
- Butter
- Soul Food
- Stigmata
- Held Up
- The Best Man
- In Too Deep
- Boiler Room
- The N-Word
- Alfie
- Are We There Yet?
- Big Momma’s House
- The Secret Laughter of Women
- Fatal Affair
- Life In A Year
- Guiding Light
- Living Single
- Live Shot
- 227
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