Nia Long Questions Why She's Left Out Of Hollywood Casting Conversations

BYGabriel Bras Nevares4.1K Views
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She mentioned Zoë Saldaña in "Avatar" as a role that she would've wanted, had industry leaders even considered her in the first place.

During her recent piece on The Cut, Nia Long discussed a lot of heavy and broad topics concerning her illustrious career. While her much-publicized split from Ime Udoka turned heads, the entertainment icon also expressed frustration with her place in the industry. Moreover, Nia Long questioned a lack of consideration in Hollywood conversations when it comes to casting. Although she said she's been in some great films, she can't help but feel a tad blindsided. Also, she gave an example of the kind of role and visibility she feels deserving of or excited about.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 20: Nia Long attends the New Nobu Opening during the Atlantis, The Royal Grand Reveal Weekend, a new ultra-luxury resort on January 20, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)

However, Long made it clear that she's not throwing shade or contempt at other successful actors. “I’ve felt passed over on things, for sure," she expressed. "There have definitely been moments like, Why wasn’t I considered for that? Like, why wasn’t I considered for Avatar? I think Zoe’s amazing. But I wasn’t even a topic of discussion, you know? A lot of times, to be fair..." In addition, she tried to jumpstart a few ideas of her own recently. Recently, she said she'd love to do another romantic comedy with Eddie Murphy. They just starred together in the Netflix comedy You People.

"There’s been so many times in my career where I was close to working with Eddie and it just didn’t quite happen," she shared. "Okay, so this time I actually got a chance to work them. I wanna do it again because I feel like there’s like a rom-com or something later on.” Still, Nia's interview on The Cut held more pained and tough reflections on her life. For one, the cheating scandal involving her ex-husband, she recounts, took a huge toll on her and her family.

"My only focus right now is my youngest son ’cause he’s having a really tough time," she confessed. "I’m sure I have some things that I’m suppressing, but I have to do that to take care of him first. That’s the giving. It’s natural. I’m sure I’ll have to circle back with myself several times to reconcile things. But the one thing I’m trying not to harbor is anger." Regardless of Hollywood's casting ignorance, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news on Nia Long's career.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.
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