So, have you heard about the latest Hollywood gossip? It seems like there’s some serious drama brewing between Taraji P. Henson and Nia Long, both on and off the set. Rumor has it that Neil’s been stirring the pot, allegedly causing some trouble and stirring up tension behind the scenes. As someone who works in the makeup department on “Empire,” let me tell you, I’ve been hearing all the juicy details.
But here’s the real tea: Taraji isn’t holding back. She’s been speaking out, saying that Nia’s got a bit of an attitude problem and she won’t let it slide until she gets an apology. So, what’s the deal between these two leading ladies, and is Taraji really throwing shade at Nia in Hollywood? If you’re looking for some good ol’ drama, you’ve come to the right place.
Now, let’s rewind a bit. It all started when Nia landed a recurring role on “Empire.” She was set to play Lucius’s ex, but before you could say “lights, camera, action,” her character disappeared. Word on the street is that Nia’s behavior on set left a lot to be desired. Some crew members spilled the beans, revealing that she had a knack for showing up fashionably late, leaving everyone hanging. It got so bad that producers had to resort to stand-ins, just so Howard and Taraji could do their thing without any added drama. Talk about unprofessional, right?
The dynamic between Nia and Taraji turned sour when Taraji confronted Nia about her unprofessional conduct. As per TMZ, Nia’s habitual lateness to set sparked a confrontation when a fellow actor quipped about “black people time.” Nia’s fiery response escalated the situation, drawing Taraji’s intervention. Taraji, noting Nia’s consistent tardiness, questioned her dramatic reaction, even suggesting she might be on her period.
Their clash extended beyond the two stars, causing a breakdown in communication among the crew and disrupting filming. Additionally, the hair and makeup team accused Nia of disrespect, alleging she often rejected their work last minute, followed by verbal tirades. This led to a formal complaint against Nia, a notable development considering the show’s other celebrity cameos.
Sources close to the set revealed Taraji’s efforts to maintain a harmonious environment, even if it meant confronting Nia. However, they believed their feud stemmed from a rivalry over the show’s leading lady status. Nia, feeling overshadowed by Taraji’s prominence, resisted her influence on the show’s direction, leading to tension and bitterness.
There were more than just one mishap caused by Nia during her time filming on Empire. Another incident arose when she threatened to sue the show for not giving her a proper send-off. You see, it’s a tradition on set for guest stars to be thanked by the entire crew after their last scene. However, when Nia wrapped up her final scene, she was completely ignored because the assistant director was busy dealing with Terence’s allergic reaction and trying to find Benadryl. Feeling snubbed, Nia complained to someone from the production team on her way out, insisting that it was in her contract to receive a farewell. Can you believe it? While Terence was having a health issue, Nia was throwing a fit over not getting a goodbye. It’s unclear if the director intentionally ignored Nia because of her behavior on set, but given the numerous complaints against her, it’s highly likely they just wanted her gone as quickly as possible.
But that’s not the end of it. There were also rumors floating around that Nia’s feud with Taraji might have been fueled by a romantic involvement with Terence. Considering Terence’s reputation as a ladies’ man, it’s not too far-fetched. When news of the feud spread on social media, Nia’s spokesperson told TMZ that she only agreed to be on the show because of her long-standing friendship and professional relationship with Terrence Howard. It’s quite a scene – Nia getting into it with Taraji over a man at her age.
Working with Nia Long on the set of Empire wasn’t just tough for the cast; other Hollywood insiders, like Malcolm Lee, also had their share of unpleasant experiences with her. Malcolm opened up during an interview with The Breakfast Club, revealing that filming The Best Man with Nia posed its own set of challenges.
“Yeah, Nia could be a handful,” he admitted. “She had her moments where she made things difficult. She was pretty adamant about not wanting any recordings or photos taken during shoots.”
But the tension didn’t stop there. Nia and her co-star Tay Diggs had a major falling out while filming The Best Man. Things escalated to the point where Tay vowed never to work with her again.
“I had this scene where I had to smack him, and I didn’t realize how hard I did it,” Nia recalled. Tay added, “She really let me have it. That smack was no joke, and she didn’t even apologize afterward. I was fuming, but with all the cameras rolling, I had to keep my cool. It was so unprofessional.”
The incident left Tay feeling sour, solidifying his decision to steer clear of any future collaborations with Nia.
In the midst of all the chaos, Nia found herself tangled in controversies, particularly for her conflicts with several accomplished black actresses from her time. Yet, her most talked-about feud was with none other than Jada Pinkett Smith. According to Nia, their rift stemmed from the constant comparisons between them.
Reminiscing about her early acting days, Nia recalled a competitive atmosphere dominated by herself, Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry, Regina King, and Jasmine Guy. However, it was her rivalry with Jada that seemed to overshadow the rest.
Despite rumors suggesting Nia’s envy of Jada’s directorial preferences, Nia vehemently denied such claims. Instead, she shed light on the prevalent issue of colorism within the industry, attributing much of their friction to this systemic bias.
Expressing her frustration, Nia pointed out the industry’s tendency to pigeonhole actresses based on their skin tone. She emphasized how casting decisions during that era often leaned towards categorizing actresses as either “brown skin spicy girl” or “light-skinned spicy girl,” reflecting a broader trend of division in the film industry at the time.
It’s become clear that the image we’ve long held of Nia Long as the epitome of sweetness is far from accurate. Recent events have peeled back the curtain on a different side of her personality. Despite efforts by Nia and her team to refute the allegations, the public remained skeptical. Denials from her representatives, labeling the accusations as nonsense, failed to sway public opinion. Many saw through the facade, criticizing Nia for her behavior, even likening her to a bully. Some couldn’t ignore her failed attempt to overshadow Taraji P. Henson on “Empire,” emphasizing Taraji’s undeniable talent and beauty. Nia’s actions have sparked speculation about her stagnant career compared to her peers’. Some believe Taraji may have influenced industry insiders against Nia, while others point to Nia’s alleged difficult demeanor as the cause. Opinions are divided amidst the controversy. Do you think Nia’s attitude led to her Hollywood downfall? And what are your thoughts on Taraji calling out Nia’s diva behavior? Share your thoughts below, and don’t forget to check out the related video for more insights.