"I didn't see 'Obsessed,' so I can't comment, 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,'" Long replied.

Tinseltown Talk: Nia Long Lashes Out At Music Stars Who Act

"If you're a singer not an actress, you should sing. If you're a rapper, you should rap," is what actress Nia Long told the U.K. magazine Pride.

In the July issue cover story written by Jessica Huie, the 'Are We There Yet?' star was also asked what she thought about Beyonce Knowles' performance in 'Obsessed.'

"I didn't see 'Obsessed,' so I can't comment, 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,'" Long replied.


The 38-year-old actress, who last starred on the ABC series 'Big Shots,' does believe there have been 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]," she added.

Long also vented to the glossy about 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.

For more information on Pride magazine, visit them online at www.PrideMagazine.com.

http://www.bvbuzz.com/200...usic-stars

-I think she makes some valid points here. She probably feels that rappers and singers are taking all the roles and it's already hard enough for black actors to find work so I agree with her in that sense. At the same time, there are musicians who happen to be good actors, so I don't see why someone should have to limit themselves just because they're a singer or rapper- whatever the case may be. I definitely see where she's coming from though. It must be frustrating.
[Edited 7/14/09 12:12pm]

Harlepolis said:

I love those crickets but you know I was wondering what Ms. Torres was up to.

phunkdaddy said:

What was Mekhi nominated for?

*SIGH*

People, her jab is not against Beyonce as it is against shady ass Hollywood.

Does anybody heard of Gina Torres?

*crickets*

Well, the reason why this intelligent, talented, funny and beautiful black actress is not known is because the ONLY work she could find these days is in the “chitlin’ circuit” plays such as this...



This is a sad reality, black actresses & actors in general are having a rough time,,,,at least Angela & Nia could find solace in TV but the rest of the majority are either doing "gospel plays", doing "Tyler Perry" movies and ALOT of others gave up on the hollywood dream and started doing the 9-5 thing.

The only famous black names are Halle, Denzel, Will and Eddie,,,,,and they'll hound you with those 5 untill you throw up,,,so don't expect variety any time soon.

Nia is absolutely right. Think of the number of films Bey has under her belt & can't act for SHIT after all this time. With her it's all about people wanting to see her (for whatever reason) & spend the $, it's never about the quality of the work or who's actually the best actress for the job at hand. It's really sickening. As much as I love Common I still wonder how he gets parts - I could barely understand his ass in Terminator 4. EMOTE, mf! & now The Game gets to plaster his oatmeal lookin' mug everywhere, he's in something. & let's not forget 50's ridiculous ass. The list goes on, the shit ain't right

Tinseltown Talk: Nia Long Lashes Out At Music Stars Who Act

"If you're a singer not an actress, you should sing. If you're a rapper, you should rap," is what actress Nia Long told the U.K. magazine Pride.

In the July issue cover story written by Jessica Huie, the 'Are We There Yet?' star was also asked what she thought about Beyonce Knowles' performance in 'Obsessed.'

"I didn't see 'Obsessed,' so I can't comment, 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,'" Long replied.


The 38-year-old actress, who last starred on the ABC series 'Big Shots,' does believe there have been 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]," she added.

Long also vented to the glossy about 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.

For more information on Pride magazine, visit them online at www.PrideMagazine.com.

http://www.bvbuzz.com/200...usic-stars

-I think she makes some valid points here. She probably feels that rappers and singers are taking all the roles and it's already hard enough for black actors to find work so I agree with her in that sense. At the same time, there are musicians who happen to be good actors, so I don't see why someone should have to limit themselves just because they're a singer or rapper- whatever the case may be. I definitely see where she's coming from though. It must be frustrating.
[Edited 7/14/09 12:12pm]

But to see Roger Guinevere Smith in this shit???

JackieBlue said:

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR.....8 MILE!!!!!

Ironically the first time I was aware of Nia Long was because of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.....in case she forgot, a show where the main character was played by a Grammy-winning rapper. Will was also an exec producer of the show IIRC.

CalhounSq said:

Ain't it though? You know something is PRETTY fucked up when you go from doing...



To THAT!!! Its SADDER when you see him act in it, he's doing this "southern drunken" role that reminds me of ol' Amos & Andy routines.

Still, I won't knock a brother's hustle,,,,,he probably knocked on EVERY agency for work and that must've been the only thing he could find.

Does anybody heard of Gina Torres?

*crickets*

Well, the reason why this intelligent, talented, funny and beautiful black actress is not known is because the ONLY work she could find these days is in the “chitlin’ circuit” plays such as this...

*SIGH*

People, her jab is not against Beyonce as it is against shady ass Hollywood.

Does anybody heard of Gina Torres?

*crickets*

Well, the reason why this intelligent, talented, funny and beautiful black actress is not known is because the ONLY work she could find these days is in the “chitlin’ circuit” plays such as this...



This is a sad reality, black actresses & actors in general are having a rough time,,,,at least Angela & Nia could find solace in TV but the rest of the majority are either doing "gospel plays", doing "Tyler Perry" movies and ALOT of others gave up on the hollywood dream and started doing the 9-5 thing.

The only famous black names are Halle, Denzel, Will and Eddie,,,,,and they'll hound you with those 5 untill you throw up,,,so don't expect variety any time soon.

Actually, Mos Def was an actor before he was a rapper.

Actually, Mos Def was an actor before he was a rapper.

Actually, Mos Def was an actor before he was a rapper.

Tinseltown Talk: Nia Long Lashes Out At Music Stars Who Act

"If you're a singer not an actress, you should sing. If you're a rapper, you should rap," is what actress Nia Long told the U.K. magazine Pride.

In the July issue cover story written by Jessica Huie, the 'Are We There Yet?' star was also asked what she thought about Beyonce Knowles' performance in 'Obsessed.'

"I didn't see 'Obsessed,' so I can't comment, 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,'" Long replied.


The 38-year-old actress, who last starred on the ABC series 'Big Shots,' does believe there have been 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]," she added.

Long also vented to the glossy about 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.

For more information on Pride magazine, visit them online at www.PrideMagazine.com.

http://www.bvbuzz.com/200...usic-stars

-I think she makes some valid points here. She probably feels that rappers and singers are taking all the roles and it's already hard enough for black actors to find work so I agree with her in that sense. At the same time, there are musicians who happen to be good actors, so I don't see why someone should have to limit themselves just because they're a singer or rapper- whatever the case may be. I definitely see where she's coming from though. It must be frustrating.
[Edited 7/14/09 12:12pm]

MuthaFunka said:

Yes he was. I was shocked when i found out several years ago.

phunkdaddy said:

None of y'all watched the Cosby Mysteries? Not to mention the "Ghosts" video...

MuthaFunka said:

Really? Nice. I like Mos Def and he was outstanding in "Something The Lord Made".

phunkdaddy said:

None of y'all watched the Cosby Mysteries? Not to mention the "Ghosts" video...

AlexdeParis said:

Yeah I remember him in "Ghosts", but not the Cosby Mysteries