‘Empire’ says Nia Long was ‘rude’ and ‘unprofessional’, she threatens suit
Nia Long has threatened to sue the Fox hit series, Empire, after staffers complained that she was unprofessional and disrespectful while on set.
Nia Long has threatened to sue the Fox hit series, Empire, after staffers complained that she was unprofessional and disrespectful while on set.
According to TMZ, while filming her guest role on the show Long had been at odds with Empire queen Taraji P. Henson over claims the actress was “extremely rude” to hair and makeup staff. Long’s supposed attitude reportedly angered Henson, so much so that the two allegedly stopped speaking.
The bad blood between the two of them reportedly got so bad that producers were trying to figure out how to shoot scenes with the two of them separately so they would not have to be on set together.
What’s more, TMZ reported that Long threatened to sue the show over her exit. Usually, when guest stars have their final scene, the assistant director says thank you with the announcement of “This is (name of actor) last scene.”
During Long’s final scene, Terrence Howard was having an allergic reaction, and the assistant director was gone to find some allergy medicine. Long reportedly told someone in production that she would sue because the “goodbye” was written into her contract, though producers told TMZ that it was not.
In response to the reports, Long’s rep said, “We stand by our comments this morning that Nia has always, and continues to be, a consummate professional on set. In respect to her working relationships with the cast, she came onto this project, in the first place, because of her long-standing friendship and professional relationship with Terrence Howard.
“We are not aware of any complaint, suit or case against her from anyone involved in the show, and we find the timing of all of these stories to be very suspicious, given that the series returns tonight.”
