After more than three decades in showbiz, Nia Long has reached another major milestone. The actress now has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Long received the 2,857th star on Wednesday, September 16. The honor falls under the Motion Pictures category. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce also declared September 16 as Nia Long Day.
The ceremony brought some familiar faces to Hollywood Boulevard. Rapper and actor Snoop Dogg joined Long for the celebration. Michael producer Graham King also attended the event. Snoop praised Long for staying true to herself throughout her career.
“Hollywood has a way of trying to change you. “But Nia? She said, ‘nah, I’m going to be Nia.’” he said.
His words captured the love many fans have for the actress.
Long’s career began making waves in the 1990s. Her role in John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood introduced her to movie audiences. She later starred in Friday, Love Jones and The Best Man. She also became a household name as Lisa Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Over the years, Long built a career filled with memorable Black characters and stories.
Meanwhile, Long used her speech to reflect on her journey. She gave special meaning to each point of her star. One represented God, while others honoured her mother and sons, Massai and Kez. Another remembered loved ones she had lost, including her father and Singleton. She also honoured the women who supported her.
“The nucleus of this star is a force who once doubted herself,” Long said.
“She is me, Nia Talita Long.”
Her latest projects include playing Katherine Jackson in Michael. She also reunites with Love Jones co-star Larenz Tate in Netflix’s upcoming Don’t Ever Wonder.
