Nia Long Explains Why She Doesn’t Care for Reality Television

By: Amanda Anderson-Niles

Nia Long is still doing press rounds to promote her latest film “The Best Man Holiday,” and she stopped by the Breakfast Club this morning to talk about the movie and even other interesting topics like reality television and how hard it is for black actors in today’s entertainment industry.

The beautiful actress was pretty candid on how she feels about reality television and even her thoughts on reality stars trying to become legitimate actors. Here are the highlights of the interview.

On the plot of “The Best Man Holiday”:

“The friends all get together for Christmas. We meet up at Mia and Lance’s house, which is played by Morris Chestnut and Monica Calhoun. And some of the friends have kind of kept in touch throughout the years. But I feel like this is definitely a big reunion.”

She says as far as her character Jordan is concerned, she struggles with learning how to be a tough career woman and be in love. Things also get interesting when her white boyfriend Brian somewhat struggles to fit in with her close circle of friends.

She even addresses the general consensus that it’s pretty tough for black actors:

“I feel like it’s cyclical. I feel like it goes in cycles. There are times when the black romantic comedy is a thing or Kerry Washington’s doing amazing work on ‘Scandal.’ So now you’re going to see a lot more black women on television. But I would honestly have to say it is difficult, but it’s difficult for everyone. It’s difficult because it’s a business run and motivated by money. So whatever is selling is what they’re going to make. So hopefully everyone comes out and supports the film so we can see more funny, romantic comedies and we can see more of us on film. And that’s what it comes down to.”

Nia also expressed that she’s frustrated with reality stars trying to nab acting gigs:

“And they’re not actors. They’re trying to make them into actors. And they don’t have to pay them a lot which makes it hard for the actors who do get paid to act.”

The actress says she’s not a fan of reality television because most of it just makes black women look terrible:

“I’m not a fan. I think we’re portrayed in a negative way on most of these shows. Me and my friends want to see shows that are smarter that can entertain but that’s also intelligent.”

“The Best Man Holiday” hits theaters this Friday (November 15). Check out the interview below: