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Actress Nia long gave birth to a baby boy, Kez Sunday Udoka, this past Monday.  According to spokeswoman Priscilla Moralez “both mother and child are healthy and happy to be home.”

Spend 24 Hours In Nia’s Hometown!

The 41 year old actress has a 1o year old son, Massai Dorsey II from a previous relationship. This is the first child for Long’s partner, NBA player Ime Udoka.  In an interview with Ebony Magazine, Nia shared that her doctors were doubtful she could ever conceive another child due to her age, and turned inward for spiritual strength:

“I honestly asked God for this. I remember I was driving home from the doctor, and I called [my boyfriend] Ime, and I was like, ‘Babe, I’m really kind of sad right now. The doctor actually said if I wanted to have more children, it would be hard.’ The next time [Ime] came to visit, he said, ‘I don’t believe that.’ I said, ‘You don’t?’ He said, ‘No.’ And I said, ‘Good, me neither.’ Then I got pregnant.”

2011 is turning out to be a banner year for Nia; in addition to her new bundle of joy, she enjoyed rave reviews earlier this year  as a loving Muslim mother in the indie hit Mooz-lum, as well as the recent announcement Universal Pictures gave the greenlight for a sequel to 1999′s The Best Man.

Congratulations and well wishes to the Long/Udoka family!

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Starring Nia Long, Evan Ross and Roger Guenveur Smith, Mooz-Lum offers a contemporary look at life for American Muslims and the challenges they face.

Based on the life of Basir, the story follows a young African-American Muslim college student in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as he questions his individual and collective identity. Mooz-Lum premiered at the 2010 Urbanworld Film Festival to rave reviews, and won Best Narrative Feature.

After a screening for the film in New York City Nia Long, Qasim Basir and producer Dana Offenbach spoke candidly about why audiences should support the film.

1. Story behind the name “Mooz-Lum”

“I was meeting with a man a few years back, maybe five years ago trying to get him to invest in this project I was doing. It never got made,” says Director Qasim Basir. “This man was a retired politician, so you’d assume he had a certain level of intelligence. He says to me during this meeting ‘I have a son about your age. The boy was doing well for himself and then he went and became a Mooz-lum! Changed the name I gave him, he stopped eating this and that.’ He went on this rant. So the title has to do with the misunderstanding of the faith.”

2. Authenticity

“I felt that I wanted to represent a woman who was contemporary,” said Nia. “Who was strong and who wasn’t afraid to make her own choices about her family and decisions as it relates to her religion. So for me it was definitely driven by the subject matter, the script, the story and knowing how passionate Q is.  I was on the phone with Q’s mom and met his family and shot in a real Mosque. I was nervous because I wanted to play it right. I just watched and listened and repeat lines several times but we got it done.”

3. The Acting

Long offers one of her most powerful performances of her career and has nothing but praise for her co-star. “Evan Ross is one of the most beautiful spirits I’ve ever met in a long time,” says Long. “He’s beautiful to look at on screen. To be raised by one of the most iconic women in the world he is not effected at all. Diana Ross must have been a damn good mother.  He’s a gentleman, he’s smart. He’s open, he’s passionate about what he’s doing. Very easy to trust him.”

4. Defying Stereotypes

Qasim: “I was being honest about my situation and what I know. My mother, my sisters have been this type of women. My mother really did that, but in real life she had five children and she left my father with those five children and started over again. That’s not something a weak, submissive woman does. When Nia put on that scarf and played that role it just took it to a whole other level.”

Nia: “I am all about having a sense of ownership so that my voice is not a talking head puppet character and give our young women something to aspire to. I want to reach people and have conversations that are meaningful. That’s what’s so great about this film. I’ve had some of the most interesting conversations after watching this film. My son saw the press packet on the table and he asked me why do those people have their heads wrapped up? He had no idea because his school doesn’t teach it. And he goes to private school. I’m not gonna tell you how much I pay for it. But You’d think that by fourth grade that they’d teach them something about America other than hot dogs and hamburgers. So as a mother it’s my job to teach him.”

5.Impact

“[Nia] represented the beauty of Muslim women,” says producer Dana Offenbach. ” Q put on the screen a depiction of Muslim women that are physically beautiful, strong, intelligent and the performance has resonated world wide. We’re distributing in six countries in the Middle East. We have video footage of young women in Cairo, Egypt thanking us for depicting Muslim women in this way. This was a gift to so many women. When you sit in a screening you hear the women responding.”

Watch the trailer for Mooz-Lum below and for show times in your  CLICK HERE

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(via BlackThespian.com) Pregnancy definitely agrees with actress Nia Long. The foxy mama-to-be was spotted in L.A. this past Wednesday, with her significant other, NBA baller Ime Udoka leaving Boa Steakhouse.

In an interview with Us Weekly, Nia revealed how she found out she was expecting: “I was supposed to go to Ghana to do a film and that’s when I found out I was pregnant. I had a doctor’s appointment to get the yellow fever shot and they were like, ‘Miss Long, we can’t give you a shot.”

This will be the first child for Ime, and Nia’s second–she has an 11 year old son Masai Jr., from a previous relationship.

Check out pics below:

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(via The Loop21) This week marks the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking, coming of age drama Boyz N The Hood.  The debut of director John Singleton, the 1991 film follows the saga of childhood friends Ricky (Morris Chestnut), Dough Boy (Ice Cube), and Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) in South Central L.A.  Nia Long played good girl next door Brandi, the object of Tre’s affection.  In an interview with Maurice Garland, Nia discusses the film’s impact, growing up in South Central and her character positive depiction of a young African American woman.

READ FULL POST HERE

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Coming Attractions Week 14:

(Spotted on BET.com)

Mooz-lum is available on DVD

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Nia Long Guest Hosts “The View” [VIDEO]

Also see: 25 Reasons We Love “Love Jones”

Nia had to audition five times, and on her last attempt she bumped into Whoopi on the elevator.  Whoopi assured her that she had the role and imparted some words of wisdom to the then up and coming actress.  “Whoopi told me I needed to develop a second layer of skin (for this business).” Nia graciously thanked Whoopi for her sage advice.

Nia also plugged her new movie Mooz-lum, which just received a glowing review from The New York Times. Nia also shared her experiences as a single mother, “There’s no nannies. Just me. I make the food, I do the carpool, to take him (son Masai) to school in my pj’s.” However, she was quick to add that Masai’s father “is amazing.”

The conversation then turned into a debate on whether fathers were necessary in raising and disciplining their children to which Nia responded “I didn’t value traditional relationships in my 20’s because I grew up with my parents not being together, had a baby in my 30’s and now that I’m in my 40’s I’m asking, ‘where is the man?”

Things really got interesting with featured guest of the day, musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. When asked on his feelings about Esperanza Spalding winning the Best New Artist Grammy, Connick stated bluntly “I don’t know who she is.”  Connick felt that Justin Bieber should have won.  “Justin Bieber is doing something Esperanza hasn’t. He has done the most for the record business.  He has kept the record business alive.”

In summary, Nia made a great addition to the show. Beautiful, smart, and personable, here’s hoping ‘The View’ will ask her back for a second round of co-hosting duties.

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As her body of work will testify, Nia has never been one to lower herself to the lowest common denominator of shameless coonery we are witness to on the big and small screen. Whether she’s the sweet girl next door or the accomplished corporate executive, Nia always imbues her characters with intelligence and dignity.

In her newest film, Mooz-lum, Nia presents a fresh perspective to Muslim women in America with her role as Safiyah. To commemorate Nia’s 20 plus years in the biz, The Urban Daily has compiled a list of our favorite Nia Long movie roles…..

Nina Moseley (Love Jones)–Beautiful, literate, and sexy, photographer Nina Moseley was the poster girl for the modern, educated black woman. Set against a gritty urban Chicago landscape, the romance and poetry of Love Jones appealed to both bohos and buppies alike.

Jordan Armstrong (The Best Man)–As Lance (Morris Chestnut) described Jordan ‘She’s the best girlfriend you never had.‘ Jordan was unapologetically ambitious when it came to her career and getting her freak on with her old college crush Harper (Taye Diggs). While The Best Man will be remembered for having one of the naughtiest bachelor parties on screen, the sight of Nia Long in a barely there purple teddy was the real money shot.

Debbie (Friday)–Cute and angelic, Debbie was the object of Craig’s (Ice Cube) affections. Don’t let the smooth taste fool you though–Debbie didn’t think twice about standing up to neighborhood bully Deebo when he disrespected her crack-head sister, Felicia. Debbie made the case that good girls actually finish first.

Safiyah (Mooz-lum)–In this touching coming of age story, Nia plays a loving Muslim mother who works to navigate her son Tariq (Evan Ross )through the Muslim and secular world. With Nia in the role, audiences will be forced to re-evaluate their preconceptions about Muslim women.

Bird (Soul Food)–as the baby of the formidable Joseph sisters the movie opens with the wedding of Bird to her sexy, but unemployed ex-con hubby, Lem (Mekhi Phifer). While asking your ex-boyfriend to hire your husband obviously isn’t the brightest idea in the marriage playbook, there was no denying Bird was madly in love with Lem, and would ‘ride or die’ to the end for her baby boo.

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Whether you’re boycotting Cupid’s flower fest or cuddling up with your significant other, you can’t go wrong keeping these DVDs within arms reach this weekend. (If you hate Valentine’s Day this list may be more your speed.)

10) She Hate Me (2004)
Anthony Mackie gets paid to impregnate a group of lesbians, two of which are his former fiancé and her lover.

9)Mo Betta Blues (1990)
An oldie but goodie, Spike Lee made us all want to have sex on a hotel balcony.

8 ) Brown Sugar (2002)
I think Mos Def and Latifah had more chemistry than the Diggs and Lathan, but it’s worth a spin.

7) I Think I Love My Wife (2007)
If you’re gonna cheat on your wife, it might as well be with Kerry Washington. (Chris Rock gives great relationship advice as well.)

6) The Wood (1999)
Sage advice: “When it comes to females, suck, never chew…”

5) The Best Man (1999)
If you sleep with your boy’s woman, don’t write a book about it!

4) Boomerang (1992)
Eddie Murphy is an ad exec that gets turned out by Robin Givens and turns to Halle Berry for comfort. Lucky guy. (R.I.P Eartha Kitt)

3) Jason’s Lyric (1994)

A nude Jada pinkett rolling around in the grass is a definite highlight but Treach torturing fools might be a mood killer.

2) Love and Basketball (2000)
Ladies, play strip basketball with your man and he’ll forget all about All Star Weekend.

1) Love Jones (1997)

Still the standard bearer for urban romance, Theodore Witcher’s only film was sexy, smart and real with one of the best soundtracks/scores around.

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Cast Of “The Best Man” Gathers For 12-Year Reunion

“The Best Man was the right film at the right time,” says Malcolm Lee. “There were few films prior or since that film that spoke to the generation of African-Americans who I knew, lived, worked, loved and laughed with. I’ve been gratefully astounded over the years at the audience response to the film.”

To see photos from the reunion and to find out if there will be a sequel to The Best Man go to Blackfilm.com.

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It was really a treat to see that many Black women in one place on television and they weren’t competing for Flavor Flav. So I was whipping my head back and forth as each new singer, actress or rapper took the stage. But when Free, the finest thing to come out of Boston since cream pie, took to the stage I immediately went to Twitter and posed this question to my boys:

It’s totally not a fair question because they’re both gorgeous, but that’s exactly why I asked it.  Blogger House’s Dart Adams confirmed that it was mission impossible tweeting back , “That’s like asking me to choose between FOOD OR OXYGEN!”

But low and behold some folks weighed in taking sides in the battle of the beauties: “Free!” and “Nia Long #stopplayin” So that let me know it was something I could have fun with. They’re around the same age, same height, etc but are completely unique in their own way.

So, if you were lucky enough to have to choose between Nia Long and Free, who would you pick?

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Since 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to the healthy development of young women and girls. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. seeks to build the self-esteem and self-worth of young women of color by changing their outlook on life, broadening their horizons, and helping them to empower themselves.

“I want young black girls to know that they matter,” DJ Beverly Bond shared at a New York press screening of the awards on Tuesday. The celebrity DJ and former model founded the non-profit organization in 2006 to provide mentorship and programs to young black girls, including a DJ academy, college campus tours, a summer camp and poetry workshops.

Watch a segment from NBC about the program below.

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Taraji P. Henson, John Legend, Nia Long, Usher and many more paid tribute to legends like Dorothy Dandridge Sammy Davis, Jr. and Sidney Poitier. Click the gallery to see them all.

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After an exciting Thursday night start with Kerry Washington the 14th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival shifted into high gear for a weekend that most will not soon forget.

On the second evening of the Urbanworld Film Festival  much of the buzz on the red carpet was for the world premiere of ‘Mooz-lum’, directed by Qasim Basir. The film tells the story of Tariq (Evan Ross), who is pulled between his strict Muslim upbringing and the normal social life he’s never had. With the help of family and friends, he begins to open up to an Islam he’s never known before. Most of the cast were in attendance which included Nia Long, Roger Guenver Smith, Evan Ross, and Kimberley Drummond.

Nia Long looked stunning, sporting her signature short pixie cut and worked the cameras like the star she truly is.

Ticket for the premiere were sold out, and while the staff worked diligently to accommodate the crowd, I observed two women chatting. One was dressed in a black cocktail dress with sky-high stilettos, while the other was dressed in conservative Muslim attire. It then struck me–in the very same city that has been polarized by Park51 mosque debate, here on the top floor of the 34th Street AMC multiplex was living proof that Muslims and non-Muslims can co-exist peacefully. Without even seeing the film, the director had accomplished his goal of teaching Muslim acceptance.

In addition, Bouncing Cats premiered that same evening. The documentary directed by Nabil Elderkin is narrated by rappers Common and Mos Def.  Bouncing Cats follows Crazy Legs to Uganda, as he participates in the Break DanceProject Uganda—B.P.U. The project was created by Abrahmz Tekya, an AIDS orphan who decides to bring hip-hop and break dance to the Ugandan youth as a means of giving them unity and peace.

The festival ended on a high note Saturday evening, with the world premiere of I Will Follow.’Directed by Ava DuVernay (‘My Mic Sounds Nice’), the cast includes Salli Richardson-Whitfield (‘I Am Legend’), Omari Hardwick (‘Dark Blue’), and Michole White (‘Medium’) and Dijon Talton (‘Glee’), who were all in attendance on the red carpet. The screening was packed to capacity and followed with a Q&A session with Cory Murray, the entertainment director of Essence Magazine. Additional screenings that evening included the HBO drama “Boardwalk Empire” directed by Martin Scorcese, and the ESPN documentary “One Night in Vegas” directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood.

“I did not set out to do a movie that reveals who [Tupac's] assailants were or any of that,” Bythewood told TheUrbandaily. ” I just set out to do a movie to show how Mike and other people were feeling that night. After the fight it was supposed to be a night of celebration and it came out a tragedy.”

On Sunday and awards brunch was hosted by Free and Vibe Magazine’s Datwon Thomas. The list of winners is as follows:

Best Narrative Feature
MOOZ-LUM
Written and Directed by Qasim Basir; Produced by Dana Offenbach and Samad Davis
Best Narrative Short
KATRINA’S SON
Written and Directed by Ya’Ke; Produced by Ya’Ke and Ralph Lopez
Best Documentary Feature
BOUNCING CATS
Written and Directed by Nabil Elderkin, Isaac Hagy: Produced by Nyla Hassell, George Mays, Claude Merkel and Charles Spano
Best Documentary Short
ONE OF THESE MORNINGS
Directed and Produced by Valery Lyman
Best Screenplay
GRACEY
Written by Julian Breece
Best Teleplay
LOVE AND POLITICS
Written by Tracy Oliver
Audience Award
FINDING GOD IN THE CITY OF ANGELS
Written by Simon J. Joseph, Ph.D; Directed by Jennifer Jessum; Produced by Jennifer Jessum, Simon J. Joseph and Edward Osei-Gyimah

Audience Award Honorable Mention
I WILL FOLLOW
Written, Directed and Produced by Ava DuVernay

In all, the 14th Annual Urban World Film Festival was a smashing success. Hollywood should take note that the ‘black experience’ isn’t just one thing, and cannot be dictated by just one or two black directors. We are too vast, complex, and diverse in our emotions and personal journeys. The films showcased at the film festival are proof to that. Congratulations to the all the directors, cast and crew—and hope that they will find distribution and success for all their projects.

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Click here for a review of ‘Good Hair’!

If you’re trying to hit on Nia Long, buying her a fur is not the way to go.

The Hollywood star has recently allowed her image to be manipulated for a PETA (People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ad. While the image of her nude on a subway is clearly Photoshopped, she stands behind the message, “I’d rather go naked than wear fur.”

“In being a responsible adult and really understanding what happens for one fur coat and how many animals are killed and slaughtered for one fur coat, it just isn’t worth it to me.

When I became a mother, I started to really understand the importance of all living creatures in a way that I didn’t ever think about before. And I’ve realized how important it is that we really take responsibility for … treating animals with love and care just like we would any human being. There’s no difference, in my opinion, [between fur and] slavery or the Holocaust. It’s just that we’re not dealing with human beings, we’re dealing with animals, but it’s still a living thing.”

This isn’t the first time PETA has used seductive celebrity images to get their message out.  The well-known “go naked” ads have included a range of famous faces ranging from Danity Kane to Eva Mendez.

Does this mean the leather handbags and shoes  are out, too?

VIA THM:

A couple of weeks ago, the news broke that Martin Lawrence was about to jump into television again in a new animated series for the FOX network based on his experiences growing up in Washington D.C., plus a one is a single-camera series for the Starz Network that revolves around an interracial family.

Well it looks like that there is more up Lawrence’s sleeve in the film area also. Our sources have discovered that Lawrence and his production company, Runtelldat Productions, have begun to develop one of his successful franchise films, Big Momma’s House 3. The film series revolves around Lawrence’s character as an FBI agent who disguises himself as an old lady to protect a beautiful federal witness and her son. No word yet if actress Nia Long will reprise her role in the film.

Speaking of television, don’t forget to check out Martin Lawrence Presents 1st Amendment Stand-Up as Season Four Premieres July 17th at 11PM ET/PT on the Starz Network, Hosted by comedian Doug Williams.

Check out the stars on the red carpet at the Transformer 2 premiere in Los Angeles last night!

Check out the video sneak peak of Transformers 2 here!

Check out Ciara and Kim K livin’ it up together!

The HBO Films documentary “Good Hair,” co-written and produced by Chris Rock, will finally arrive in US theaters this year after world rights were picked up by Roadside Attractions and Liddell Entertainment.

Roadside will release the film domestically in the fall, reports Variety. Lionsgate will handle home video and other domestic ancillary rights, while HBO retains pay cable rights.

The documentary also stars Rock as he shares hair recollections with such celebs as Maya Angelou, Nia Long, Raven Symone, Ice-T and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Stories of how hairstyles impacted their lives and self-esteem helped Rock formulate an answer to a question posed by his daughter.

“Good Hair” was directed by Jeff Stilson, a writer and co-producer of HBO’s “The Chris Rock Show.”

The Urban Daily: What was the first place that you bombed on stage and how did it help out your comedy career?
Sommore: I never really bombed, you know? The thing about my shows is that people will walk out. They didn’t really boo me because the show started late. The promoter didn’t come and get me on time, so while he was picking me up late, it taught me that I had to be more in control of getting myself to the show. Which means if I have to make sure that things get handled and hold people responsible for making it happen, then I have to. It’s crazy, though…

TUD: What has been the craziest comment that someone has said to you while you were on stage?
Sommore: [Laughs] You know… if I’m doing colleges, they’ll holler out, “You got a fat ass!” and different stuff like that. They normally don’t heckle me, though. I have my material set up to where I’m rolling off rip.

TUD: [Blackplanet Created User] wanted to know, “What was the sexiest outfit that you ever rocked on stage?”
Sommore: I had one that had a flesh color tone underneath it. It was lace but it had a flesh tone color underneath, so when the women came to the show, they were like, “Yay!” So excited to see me, right? Then they man came in there and when they really looked at me, they were like, “I know this heifer ain’t naked in front of me and my man… I know she ain’t naked!” [Laughs] It was a bit much.

TUD: So, if “we don’t know money, like you know money,” how do we stop this recession?
Sommore: I tell people all the time to learn how to multitask. You know…? Like when you go to the gas station, pray at the pump [laughs]. You ain’t even got to go to church and use up all the gas you just put in. Buy your hair products at the grocery store [laughs]. Do everything at one place. Get your hair braided in the backseat of the car [laughs]…

TUD: What did you think of Michelle Obama’s speech?
Sommore: I saw it and, oh, my goodness, did I not enjoy it…? I sure did! First of all, I’m a Michelle Obama fan. I love her as a woman. I think she’s an excellent role model for black women and for women, period, in this country. I love the way she spoke about supporting Barack. She believes in him and she has a lot of love for him. You could actually hear her passion for him and the work that he’s doing. She believes in his movement and it was awesome.

TUD: Do you think that most black relationships have that same type of passion?
Sommore: They should, they should. I would like to think they start out that way, but I think that there is a give and take to all of that. I don’t think that all relationships start off so passionate, but it’s up to both people involved to keep it that way.

TUD: Your half-sister, Nia Long, also is problem [laughs]. Growing up, have you ever taken someone that she had a “love jones” for?
Sommore: No. Most men that I run into already have a crush on Nia. You don’t know how many men offer, “Please can I come to the family reunion, please…?” [Laughs]

TUD: What was the craziest request for your time that you’ve ever received?

Sommore: I was in a limousine getting picked up from a Philadelphia airport and I was so sleepy because I had just got in from a flight from Los Angeles and I was tired. I fell asleep, but when I woke up, this guy had taken me to his mother’s house because he told me that I was his mother’s favorite comedian. By the time I’m waking up, she was already walking to the car. He was like, “Oh, Ms. Sommore, please don’t be mad, I just wanted my mom to see you.” I’m like, “Really?” I guess he wasn’t even going to wake me up. He just wanted her to see me. That was kind of weird for me. That was different.

TUD: Lisa Raye is going through a lot of mess right now. Biting and all that crazy stuff is going on. Did you hear about that?
Sommore: I read something about it that was kind of crazy.

TUD: In the end, somehow Rocsi [from "106 & Park"] is involved in all of this…
Sommore: Maybe they got married for the wrong reasons. I think that Turks and Caicos had embraced her and everything.

TUD: What are some of the things about the Obama campaign that you may be worried about?
Sommore: I’m steadfast. I’m not worried at all. I’m with him 100%. I’m rolling with his decision. I just don’t think that we have an option. I’d like to think that we have someone else to go with, but we definitely don’t have that option.

TUD: If you weren’t doing comedy, then what would you be doing?
Sommore: I’d be doing something with fashion, most definitely. I’d want to own my clothing store or something like that. In the end, I’d definitely want to be in the fashion business

TUD: Do you think that the time is now for black comedy screenwriters to put out more work?
Sommore: I think that they’re out there. The problem is that we don’t have enough people green-lighting our projects. There aren’t any black folks out except for maybe Will Smith or Oprah Winfrey. It’s just not important to Hollywood to put us out there. They don’t put black actresses on the cover of magazines because “they” say they don’t sell. It’s just not important to them. I love Tyler Perry and the work that he’s done. He’s invested in himself and his company and that’s what I want to do. I’m starting to produce my own projects because I can’t wait on them.