In the July ’09 issue of Pride (UK equivalent to Essence), actress Nia Long has lashed out at singers pretending to be actors and speaks on how the craft has suffered due to it. Peep what she said:
Asked what she thought about Beyonce’ performance in Obsessed:
“I didn’t see ‘Obsessed,’ so I can’t comment” she says “but it’s just not about how talented you are anymore. It’s about, ‘How much box-office revenue will this person generate?’ When you see certain people – we won’t name names – they just don’t have the skill, and no one in their team has said, ‘You need acting classes’”She says there are some exceptions in Hollywood:
“If you take time to develop your craft, God bless you. Jamie Foxx is an example of both [actor and singer].”On the quality of roles Hollywood offers Black actresses:
“If you were able to take all the Black actresses and the choices we’ve made collectively, it’s a pure reflection of what you see on film. People need to work. But the content? The opportunities for Black actresses are more widespread today, but the quality has suffered,” she offered.
You can catch Nia Long doing voice work on the anticipated new cartoon series, “The Cleveland Show” later on this year.
NIA THAT’S WRONG YOU NEED TO STOP HATING…. IF YOU CAN DO BOTH THAT’S MULI-TASKING. DONT TRY TO CALL NO ONE OUT THAT’S GETTING IT. MAYBE YOU NEED TO TAKE SOME SINGING LESSONS AND TRY TO PUT AND ALBUM OUT.
i can see where you coming from but nia long is a great actress who is frustrated with being passed up for decent roles while dingy lame-acting cats like beyonce gets plenty of calls.
100 % agree with her.
@ 1. Is it hating if it’s the truth? Everyone knows damn well Beyonce can’t act for shit! Yet she still seems to get acting jobs. Nia is right. Let the REAL actress get some shine for once.
I completely agree with her. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Beyonce’ but she is not a great actress.
Nia Long is absolutely right, there are many singers and rappers who don’t need to act because they aren’t that good at it and Beyonce is the first person who comes to my mind regarding that situation. Why be mad at Nia for stating the truth.
Maybe Nia is upset..if she was a little more talented, then she would have more opportunities. If she was the best in the acting game then she would have many roles. Shout out to Beyonce for being the baddest chick in the game and trying to do acting roles!
She’s right. Every major role nowadays seems to feature a singer, ESPECIALLY in Black movies. I’m not going in on Bey, but she is a terrible actress, yet she keeps trying. I’m sorry, I just can’t take a lot of these singers seriously when they try to act. It truly is a craft, just like singing, not everyone can do it. Stay in your lane! That goes for all these singers thinking they are fashion designers too.
I agree with you Nia!
What Nia is saying is right. I love Beyonce but she is not acting because she has passion for it. She is doing it for the money and appraise. I can say the same for other singers and rappers who “think” they can act. There are not enough roles for good black actors
I really like Nia and she is only speaking truth.
She is a great actress.
NIA LONG IS CORRECT ON HER POINT ABOUT SINGERS TRYING TO BE ACTRESS IT JUST DOESNT ALWAYS WORK. JUST LOOK AT BEYONCE’S PERFORMANCE IN “OBSESSED”. BEYONCE IS AN AMAZING SINGER AND ENTERTAINER BUT UGGGH HER ACTING SKILLS R HORRBLE. HOLLYWOOD IS MORE OBSESSED WITH STAR POWER THAN ACTUAL SKILL WHY DO U THINK SUMMER MOVIES ARE HARDLY NOMINATED FOR OSCARS BUT COLLECT THE MOST REVENUE
I’m gonna have to 100% agree. Beyonce can’t act!! I saw in the previews for “Obsessed” that her acting was horendous so I didn’t even bother going to see it! Wouldn’t even bootleg it!! I have no interest in seeing that or any other movie she plays in. SHe need to stick to what she know. SINGING!
AMEN TO THAT NIA IS 100% CORRECT, BEYONCE SHOULD NEVER ACTED IN ANYTHING, AND MOST OF HER ROLES WERE JUST SINGERS ANYWAY. KNOW YOU ROLE…….ABOUT TIME SOMEBODY SAID SOMETHING
i like nia long but if she supposed 2 b pointing fingers at b she trippin, cuz she aint tryna do nothin but get hers and live out her dreams oh and when the last time you were doing a movie infact what r u working on now lol at least beyonce keep it comin no matter what no one says
NIA IS RIGHT. WE KNOW BEYONCE IS HORRIBLE AT ACTING. BE REAL. BTW, SHE WAS NOT TALKING ABOUT JAMIE FOXX OR WILL SMITH, WHO ARE BOTH TRAINED ACTORS, ESPECIALLY JAMIE WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ACTOR, COMEDIAN, AND SINGER. I LIKE BEYONCE, BUT NIA IS RIGHT. AT LEAST, LEARN THE CRAFT. HOPEFULLY BOTH NIA AND BEYONCE WILL BE FEATURED IN HOUSE OF FLUFF WHICH I BELIEVE IS BEING LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER. IT WILL BE A HAIR FASHION AND LIFESTYLE BLOG. I HOPE ITS UNIQUE AND WORTHWILE. ANYWAY, NIA IS RIGHT.
i dont know what nia long has been in lately and i love her as an actress but but the singers are getting acting jobs because people want to see these singers in a movie even if they cant act but i hope nia comes out with a new movie soon
Whoa jealous much. Who wants to limit them self now a days, NIA? Grow up find you some roles people will actually run to the movie and go see. Stop being mad no body checkin for your slackin ass. So go find a script if possible. I don’t care to much for Bey but I can’t be mad at the hustle and the grind. Same with Ashanti, they gets they money!!!
why is jamie picture up there cl he was and actor way before he became a big time music star
I love Nia Long along w/Sanaa Lathan and Angela Basset–>though she hasn’t appeared in any film for a long while, but they are great actresses.
Nia stated the truth. I’m only a fan/stan for Jesus, but I’ve always thought Beyonce is a horrible actress, just terrible. Beyonce is a clear example of a “YES” people team & I 100% agree no one is telling her the truth regarding her acting. The movie “Obessessed(sp)” would’ve been great given to someone like Regina King–>another good actress.
Also, I’m not sure of the age of many who comment thou levels of immaturity apply to both old and young, but just b/c someone does not share the same opinion, taste, thought or belief does not make him or her a hater or anything of that nature.
Real grown folks can agree to disagree or accept or not accept an opinion & keep it moving w/out calling folks names or using profanities.
@6 Candice, if that were true then Angela Bassett would be in dozens of upcoming films, yet she isn’t. Your argument doesn’t hold water. And Nia is very talented. Take off the rose-colored (or should I say Beyonce-colored) glasses.
She’s bitter. Say that same sh*t to Will Smith, Queen Latifah, J Hud, Alicia Keys, Common, Mos Def etc… I know that she was asked specifically about Beyonce but her tone was very condescending. When you have the money to produce your own films and cast yourself in them Nia then talk some sh*t. Dont be mad at others for diversifying their brand in a way that you and your two bitter friends (Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle “REALLY CANT ACT” Union) never could.
Gabrielle Union seriously sucks at acting have you advised her to go get training?
Nia had her time, she close to 40 and so what if Beyonce can’t act. I personlly don’t care for Beyonce has an artist or actress, but me knowing Nia, she hating. She hating cause she can’t get the work she want’s right now. Nia aint that much of a better actress than Beyonce for that matter. LOL
RAPPERS AND SINGERS GET MOVIE ROLES ALL THE GIME NIA WHATS YOUR POINT!! IT STILL DONT MATTER THEY STILL GONE MAKE MORE MONEY THEN YOU. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PAY THEIR MONEY TO SEE THEM BEFORE YOU CAUSE THEY SEE THEM ALL THE TIME IN THE LIMELIGHT YOU AND ALL THE LOW BUDGET MOVIE ROLES THAT YOU ACCEPTED THAT WAS YOUR CHOICE. SO WHY LASH OUT AT PEOPLES THAT GOT THE THINKING CAPS ON AND GETTING MONEY ALL AROUND THE GLOBE. NIA STEP YA GAME UP MA AND GO ON SOMEWHERE WITH ALL THAT. YOU DONT SEE NO ONE EVEN SPEAKING OR THINKING ABOUT YOU RIGHT NOW.
100% Nia she is just saying what we all wanted to say! You all know she is not lying!
Nia is speaking the truth, and shame on anyone who says she is hating because she is not! Everyone knows Beyonce can’t act, but a lot of people out here worship the “Queen B” so they put her in movies to generate sales in the box office. It’s nothing wrong with musicians crossing over, but if your going to do it, make sure you can act. Jaime Foxx is a good example of it, he won an Oscar and so did Jennifer Hudson.
I love Beyonce I really do, But maybe Nia has a point you can’t be the best at everything.. I wish the energy Beyonce had on stage and in her videos would transfer over over on the Big screen… Something is missing when she is acting the light bulb hasn’t come on…To me Beyonce doesn’t drive up BOx office revs like that because we all know she is no Jennifer Hudson on Big Screen
@#6…That’s is so not true! Just look at Angela Basset. She is a better actress than most of those getting jobs, black or white. She has stated that it is very difficult for black women to get jobs in hollywood. Regina King should also get more jobs, she is a great actress! The jobs are not really out there for black women.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH NIA…BEYONCE CAN’T ACT, BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE BEYONCE MAKES HER OWN OPPORUNITIES THAT’S WHY SHE’S EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF OBSESSED
*******When I seen Obsessed I said that role would have been better if the casting *******crew gave the part to either Nia, Gabrielle, Sanaa or some young black *******actress with prime skills… I did not think Beyonce did a great job acting out *******the role of Sharon, I think she was great in the fight scene but not the acting! *******I agree with Nia 100%!
….and #18 you are so right. People use the term “hater” to loosely. I’m starting to forget what it actually means, lol.
She’s absolutely right, but I wish she would just keep it real as this is only a deficiency where Black movies are concerned, or (White) Hollywood trying to capitalize on a Black audience by having someone notable (usually in music) in a role. SMH but it is what it is. Why have an unknown or someone established when you can call up Beyonce? or 50? Or Diddy?
I AGREE WITH NIA!!!
Also Nia is a very established actress & she has a very long & solid film history. She is downright goregous she is a natural beauty, has long money too( maybe not as much as B) , therefore IMO she has no reason to be jealous of anyone.
Well she isn’t lying. The industry is not about talent anymore. It’s about who is popular at the moment; that’s the only qualification. Talent is not a must. It’s really unfair because there is plenty of talent out there that is overlooked for the flavor of the month.
Nia is speaking the truth so that explains why folks are getting upset, they say the truth hurts..
The only point I can agree with Nia on is that there aren’t enough quality roles for Black actresses. I mean-Tyler Perry can’t employ every talented Black actress by himself.
However, I really can’t hate on Beyonce for taking $$ when it’s offered. I doubt anyone would have the character enuff to say- ‘no thx, I don’t want that $5 million, it’s not the right role for me’. No-most ppl would say ‘where do I sign up’ & take that check!
Tyler Perry started his own production studio and he makes the kind of films that he wants. Whats stopping you from doing the same Nia? Instead of sitting on your ass complaining about the plight of black actresses why dont you do something to change it? Instead you decide to become a professional magazine cover model and complainer.
Nia is not mad she is not hatin. Some of you people know the truth really hurts. B cant act worth shit. But she bring you fools in because she can sing in she is damn good eye candy face it. Know one is tryin to say she cant do twenty things if she want to take your money cause thats what her in white america is doing you dum ass black fools. Not just Nia there are tons of actors in actress that would be damn good in roles if all these rappers in singers would stay in there lanes or crossover once they have been through the training or school that it takes. Denzel didnt just fall off a turnip truck in said I want to act. Nia you are a very beautiful smart ,talented actress you are 100 percent on point. So let those who cant handle the truth stay mad. I bet they cant write you a check for what you are truly worth in if any of them can dont you dare go to the bank in try in cash it. Now thats some truth for yall hatin ass. Bring it. lmao
Nia Long said what needed to be said. Ultimately it’s on us to stop supporting these lack luster acting performances…. That’ll never happen tho. And hopefully Bey fans can set aside their biased opinions and read what Nia’s saying. There’s no hate in this article….
maaaaan, we all know she’s right!!!….Beyonce is talented musically but acting just isn’t her thing. Beyonce is a singer, she lives and breathes music so she works really hard to perfect her craft. She make take acting a little serious but if she wants to be taken even more serious she gonna need to focus more on that skill. Will Smith, Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx, and even Bow Wow put their music on the side when needed just so they can focus more on their roles.
iWELL IM FINNA GET EVRYONE TOGETHA..EVRYONE IS HATIN ON BEYONCE.POINT BLANK PERIOD.ITS THE TRUTH!!NIA LONG MAD AND JEALOUS CAUSE SHE HASNT BEEN SELECTED FOR A GOOD ROLE IN A MINUTE!!!IM TIRED OF ALL BEYONCE HATERS CAUSE WHENREVER YOU SEE HER YOU WISH YOU CUD BE HER!!!!GET IT TOGETHER JUSS BECAUSE SHE DHA SHIDD DONT MEAN YAH HAF TO HATE EVRY CHANCE YOU GET.LET HER DO HER OWN THING.AHE AINT WORRIED BOUT SOME LOWLIFES WHO SUT ON THIS COMPUTER..LIFE IS JUSS TOO SHORT TO HATE..NIA NEED TAH TALK LESS AND ACT MORE..BEYONCE GETTIN HER MONEY AT THE END OF THE DAY!!!!
so if the singers weren’t acting, would you have a grammy by now? The older they get the more bitter they become, tis tis.
#36 I WILL NOT LMFAOOOOOOOO “Professional magazine cover model” It’s so true though. Start something new and stop complaining about what other people are doing. They not thinking about you, WHY because they reading scripts!
My bad #37*
I agree with Nia. Beyonce can’t act at all, she is the same in all the roles she portrays. She doesn’t know how to assimilate herself and really put herself in her roles. She should study more about they types of people she is portraying to get a better sense of how they act. That is what Jamie Foxx did for his role in “The Soloist” he spent time around people who suffer from schizophrenia. Too bad that movie didn’t do better though.
YALL SPEND SO MUCH TIME HATING YOUR PARAGRAPHS ARE LONGER THAN MINE..TELL ME SOMETHIN..DO YALL THINK FOR ONE MOMENT BEYONCE IS GONNA STOP ACTING FOR YALL????NOPE!!!CAUSE DHA TRICC GETTIN PAID MORE THAN HALF THESE OTHER “ACTRESSES” AND GUESS WHY..BECAUSE SHES BEYONCE!!!!!!DUHHHHHH
THANKYOU 43…BEYONCE AINT WORRIED ABOUT YALL ASSES
She’s right! Not to knock Beyonce (she doesn’t cast herself in these movies), but there are so many talented black actresses (discovered and undiscovered) who could have done the lead role in Obsessed a lot more justice than she did. It’s all about money though.
@21 She is not saying because they are singers they can’t act. She is saying that they are not developing their craft. When they gave the example of Jaime, she said that he is an example of both. Note: THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS IN HOLLYWOOD. She is not claiming ALL.
Truth be told, she was saying what a lot of people were saying. IF Beyonce took the time to develop her acting craft, she would become a great actress and singer.
You can’t blame Beyonce or any other singers/rappers who become “actors/actresses”. Who’s gonna turn down a fat check and an opportunity to be on the big screen?
i agree wit nia too because genuine actors have been working all their lives to perfect their skill however singers are getting all these lead roles just because they are already famous so therefore they can generate more money….it’s unfair
@#20 (la_verite) When was the last time you saw Nia Long do anything? I don’t have on Beoynce shaded glasses. I’m just speaking the truth…u dont have to agree…but if I had the chance to do try something out I would. Maybe that’s y Beyonce is the richest celeb under 30…she works her ass off…so sorry..I love Nia but Beyonce is the shit!
Honestly,
In the entertainment industry in today’s society it’s all about who is relevant and unfortunately Nia isn’t and I am a fan of hers. A lot of black actresses tend to play those same type of babymama roles for example gabrielle union, vivica fox, etc so it isn’t the audience or an artist’s fault that people rather see good movies instead of those same hoodrat motion pictures.
That’s right Nia…Tell em…
Yll know she ain’t lying. And the Beyonce stans need to STFU. The truth hurts..bee can’t act to save her life… she should stick to singing cuz she’s good @ it… actin…NOPE..and if she really does wanna act..cuz there’s no harm in tryin other things..THEN she needs to take acting classes.. tru story.
i guess the same can be said when actors and singers now cover magazines when before it was only supermodels that covered magazines
—–Nia need to keep her mouth shut until the Director says: “Action” Becoming an
—–actor requires more than just taking some classes. I’m sure the classes didn’t
—–prepare her for her eariler roles like “Boyz in the Hood” and “Held Up”. Any hood
—- rat in America could have played those roles. But, everyone improves with time.
—–That mess she talking about the “box office revenues” is for those who’s careers
—–depend on those revenues. I sure Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson got their money
—–up front in the movie Dream Girls. Nia couldn’t do a musical like Dream Girls.
—–Nor, could she do the “Fighting Temptations” which was perfect for Beyonce &
—–Angie Stone. Singers don’t go looking for acting parts…! The acting parts come
—–looking for them.
—–Nia’s complaints and rule setting reminds me of the artificial barriers imposed on
—–minorities for the past 400 years. I’m glad she wasn’t in politics because she
—–would have told Barack that the Presidency was out of his class. In a world
—–where we tell our children to dream and be what ever they want to be, here come
—–Nia telling them to “stay in their lane”. Everyone knew “Obsessed” was thrown
—–together quickly. Trust me…Beyonce and Diana Ross made a lot of money in
—–the film business.
—–Nia has never been the main star of a movie. She’s a co-star. So, she can’t take
—–the credit for her success. But, now she’s crying cause she can’t get no roles,
—–cause no one wants to work with her. Everyone wants to work with Beyonce.
—–Even if the movie flops. Whitney did a great job in the “Bodyguard”.
—–I hate when someone implies that they could have done it better. I’m through with
—–her. She don’t have the market cornered on acting. Just like Tyra didn’t have the
—–market cornered on modeling…so, she took on Oprah and now she’s too legit to
—–quit. By the time Beyonce’s voice gets weak, she will have a great acting career
—–to fall back on. Keep doing you Beyonce…cause we all know who the jealousy is
—–not “naming names”.
@41.
beyonceluva
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 /
iWELL IM FINNA GET EVRYONE TOGETHA..EVRYONE IS HATIN ON BEYONCE.POINT BLANK PERIOD.ITS THE TRUTH!!NIA LONG MAD AND JEALOUS CAUSE SHE HASNT BEEN SELECTED FOR A GOOD ROLE IN A MINUTE!!!IM TIRED OF ALL BEYONCE HATERS CAUSE WHENREVER YOU SEE HER YOU WISH YOU CUD BE HER!!!!GET IT TOGETHER JUSS BECAUSE SHE DHA SHIDD DONT MEAN YAH HAF TO HATE EVRY CHANCE YOU GET.LET HER DO HER OWN THING.AHE AINT WORRIED BOUT SOME LOWLIFES WHO SUT ON THIS COMPUTER..LIFE IS JUSS TOO SHORT TO HATE..NIA NEED TAH TALK LESS AND ACT MORE..BEYONCE GETTIN HER MONEY AT THE END OF THE DAY!!!!
OK First let me say that i do love Beyonce…BUT Nia is Absolutely right! I Mean you cant deny that fact!
And when you think about it, Aint it always the Beyonce stans saying how Talented of a Singer Beyonce is and how some singers out today are so terrible compared to her and they shouldnt be famous or what not……UHHH News Flash!!!! Nia is basically saying the same thing execpt its in acting! Beyonce is NOT as good of an actresses as the real pros. LOL
@41. beyonceluva
OK First let me say that i do love Beyonce…BUT Nia is Absolutely right! I Mean you cant deny that fact!
And when you think about it, Aint it always the Beyonce stans saying how Talented of a Singer Beyonce is and how some singers out today are so terrible compared to her and they shouldnt be famous or what not……UHHH News Flash!!!! Nia is basically saying the same thing execpt its in acting! Beyonce is NOT as good of an actresses as the real pros. LOL
Its just soooo funny to me how if its towards Beyonce it considered hating but when Beyonce stans do it to everyone else its not?!?! Im a Beyonce fan not a stan and i can say Nia is RIGHT
I just think that it is really is sad that we have idiots on here who PRAISE and WORSHIP a certain singer such as Beyonce because she’s all hyped up to be these singing goddess. I honestly do not get the hype on Beyonce. Yes, she can clearly sing and has a big voice, but the tone of her voice sucks in my opinion. It’s very pop/R&B high pitched and young, or some times it’s low but loud! Her voice is weird. I think Beyonce can move, but not dance. She can do choreography movements but not soulfully dance. Her lyrics are bubblegum, I don’t even wanna get into it more, I just don’t get all the hype. Nia Long is absolutely right and why shouldn’t she spak the truth? That shows that she is a real person like people on here. Too many celebs praise or be quiet about certain situations and they come across as fake or not a regular person. Everytime I see Beyonce try to act, I know she’s acting! When you’re watching a movie you shouldn’t know that a persons acting! She tries and tries and the only reason she gets roles or sells out box office is because she’s a famous singer.
With that said, Nia can act but what bothers me about her and many other actresses is that she f*cks in movies. Remember soulfood? I wonder how she would feel if someone had said I don’t know why many actresses degrade themselves in movies for unecessary sexual scenes. I wonder how she feels about Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie ect… who got by on their bodies and sex in movies. So on that part, she doesn’t have room to talk.
I completely agree with Nia.
Beyonce can not act. That’s a fact. She’s a great singer, dancer, performer, but that’s as far as it goes. Not only should she leave acting alone, leave the designing alone as well. Sometimes people do things just because they can, not because they are good at it and that’s how I feel about Beyonce “acting” and “designing” or having a clothing line, if we want to call it that.
It also goes both ways. When Tyra tried to sing that was a failure. She can’t sing. She tried it out, it didn’t work, and she moved on.
Cameron Diaz from model to actress works.
Eddie Murphy from actor/comedian to singer? Not so much. Though ‘Party All the Time’ is still the jam lol.