Nia Long opens up about how “hurtful” and “irresponsible” the Boston Celtics handled her ex-fiancé’s cheating scandal on the carpet for the “Best Man: Final Chapters” premiere. And we’re sure her gorgeous new $3M home will help ease the pain. Hear what she said about how it affected her family, plus see all the premiere pics inside…
The stars aligned at the Hollywood Athletic Club for the premiere of the highly-anticipated limited series, “Best Man: Final Chapters.”
Bomb actress Nia Long, who stars in the Peacock series, made her way down the carpet solo following her ex-Ime Udoka’s cheating scandal that has had her name in the headlines. The 51-year-old actress chopped it up with ET’s Kevin Frazier about the aftermath of the public cheating scandal and why the Boston Celtics should have been handled privately.
”Absolutely. 100 and one percent. He was the first person who said it. I agree with it,” Nia said, addressing sports analyst Stephen A. Smith’s comments to ET about the Boston Celtics’ mishandling of the personal matter turned public. “I think it’s been incredibly difficult for me to manage all of that while working and trying to be a mom — I’m trying to find the humanity in all of it.”
Just a few days ago, it was reported the Best Man franchise star and the former Boston Celtics head coach called it quits after 13 years following news that Ime had an affair with a female subordinate within the team’s organization. After the alleged relationship was revealed in September, Ime was suspended as the head coach of the professional basketball team.
Like any mother, Nia was upset with the way the Boston Celtics organization handled the situation because she felt they didn’t take her or her children’s feelings into consideration when going public with her ex-fiancé’s affair.
“It feels like no one thought of me, of my children,” she explained. “There was no protection. I think the Celtics were irresponsible and it was hurtful,” Long added. “It really was, because we were welcomed in as family and then it’s like, ‘Well, what happened?’ But I’m figuring it out.”
We hated seeing her and her 10-year-old son, Kez, get hounded by TMZ photographers not long after the cheating scandal was revealed. They were seen leaving a grocery store in Los Angeles and a photographer walked up aqnd kept asking her about the scandal in front of her son. It was horrible.
“I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public,” said Nia, who took her son out of school when the news broke. “It was devastating, and it still is. He still has moments where it’s not easy for him. If you’re in the business of protecting women — I’m sorry, no one from the Celtics organization has even called to see if I’m OK, to see if my children are OK. It’s very disappointing.”
SMH. What makes matter worse is the fact that the organization knew about Ime’s affair for months! Nia was totally blindsided by the cheating scandal when it surfaced.
Watch the clip below:
Despite the drama, brighter days are coming. After moving to Boston to be with Ime, Nia decided to head back to the west coast. She just purchased a stunning Hollywood Hills homes for $3.6 million for her and her sons, Kez (whom she shares with Ime), and her 21-year-old son, Massai, from a previous relationship with actor Massai Z. Dorsey.
Back on the carpet…
The legendary actress, who looked AH-MAZING, snapped it up with her Best Man castmates Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, and Melissa De Sousa, who all looked just as GOOD!
Actress Monica Calhoun, who played Mia in The Best Man and The Best Man Holiday made a special appearance on the red carpet.
She was joined on the carpet by actress LisaRaye, who rocked her signature white. Look at “Ebony and Diamond” from Player’s Club. Ha!
“Best Man: Final Chapters” director and screenwriter Malcolm D. Lee joined the fellas, Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Taye Diggs, and Harold Perrineau, on the carpet.
Famed creative Robert Townsend, who directs on the limited series, came out for the screening.
YASSSS! Regina and Melissa looked STUNNING in their black ‘fits.
Best Man franchise star Harold Perrineau brought his wife Brittany Perrineau as his date for the screening.
Speaking of dates…
Best Man star Taye Diggs was all smiles with his girlfriend Apryl Jones. Last week, there were rumors swirling that they got engaged.
If you squint, it appears she is wearing a ring on her left ring finger.
Hmm…time will tell.
Best Man star Terrence Howard, who gets married in the limited series, hit the carpet alongside his wife and kids’ mother, Miranda Pak.
“House of Payne” actor Lance Gross and his wife Rebecca Jefferson came out to support.
It was date night for Tina Lawson and her actor hubby Richard Lawson.
“All American” star Bre-Z and her girlfriend Chris Amore served up coupledom vibes in color coordinating ‘fits.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith brought his adorable daughter Samantha Smith as his date for the screening.
Comedian Luenell looked like she was cutting up on the carpet.
“Bel-Air” star Jimmy Akingbola and newly engaged model Broderick Hunter were eyecandy on the carpet.
Former “Basketball Wives” star Laura Govan was in the mix.
Inside…
Singer Ginuwine hopped on the mic to perform.
Fab times!
On the magazine front…
The “Best Man: Final Chapters” cast covers the December 2022 issue of ESSENCE magazine and SLAYS! More below:
“Best Man: Final Chapters” begins streaming on Peacock on December 22nd. Y’all ready?!
Photos: Images Courtesy of Peacock
