Nia Long Talks Will Smith's "Burden" Of Representing "What Perfection Looks Like"

BY Erika Marie 1296 Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
GettyImages-1387536706
(Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
She also touched on the rough time she's had recently without directly naming her cheating ex, Ime Udoka.

Plenty of industry's elite who called Will Smith a friend turned their backs on him following the Oscars incident, but not Nia Long. Smith has returned to work full force with the release of Emancipation, but it will be a long road for him to regain respect from his peers. The infamous moment when he slapped Chris Rock on the Oscars stage devastated the icon's reputation, but those who know Smith well, like Long, are commending his strength to recover.

"I will always love him. He's had an incredible career, and he's carried a burden for many years to try — to represent what perfection looks like," Long told Yahoo's Kevin Polowy. "Or what achievement looks like."

Read More: Tyrese Defends Will Smith After Eddie Murphy Golden Globes Joke

The actress goes way back with the Fresh Prince star, as she portrayed his girlfriend on the hit 1990s sitcom.

"I don't think that — at least when we were growing up — there was room to be human," Long also said. "I think he's now able to be human."

She's grateful that she's amassed the success she has while still being able to lead a somewhat regular life. According to Long, she gets recognized in the street, but no one is chasing her down.

"We all have our moments in life where we need to reconcile things that we suppress," she said. "And I think — it's hard growing up in this business and being front and center every day, all day."

"ATL" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals
Nia Long and Will Smith during "ATL" Los Angeles Premeire - Arrivals at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic)
Read More: Will Smith Says “Emancipation” Has Helped Him Overcome Oscars Slap

Elsewhere, she discussed the rough few months she's faced. While she didn't name her ex Ime Udoka's cheating scandal, viewers read between the lines. The pair split after 13 years together when news of his infidelities stormed the headlines.

"I've had some pretty devastating moments in my life over the last couple of months, and I've had to just say 'It's alright. You'll pick yourself back up' — oh, my God I'm about to cry," Long said. "You pick yourself back up, and you keep it moving."

Check out clips from her interview below.

[via]

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.