Nia Long had her biggest supporters by her side as she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The actress was joined by her sons, Massai Zhivago Dorsey II, 25, and Kez Sunday Udoka, 14, along with her mother, Talita Long, for the Sept. 16 ceremony in Los Angeles.
During her acceptance speech, Long explained that each of the star’s five points represented someone or something that has helped anchor her throughout her life.
One of those points belonged to her mother, whom she credited with supporting her long before Hollywood knew her name.
“I remember the hard days living in South Central L.A. when you drove the RTD bus and I was a latchkey kid,” Long said. “Money was scarce and opportunities to thrive seemed to pass us by.”
She recalled walking Hollywood Boulevard with her mother years before she ever imagined her own name would be there.
“I remember the days we’d walk down Hollywood Boulevard to the only New York-style pizza spot in L.A. while reading the cemented names of stars aloud on this very boulevard,” she said. “You told me I would have a star one day, and here we are.”
Long thanked her mother for taking her to her first acting class, driving her to auditions and helping her through the rejection that came along the way.
“I share this star with you because there isn’t any part of my story that doesn’t circle back to your bravery and unconditional love,” she said. “I love you, mommy, and I wouldn’t be here without you.”
Another point on the star belonged to her sons.
“To the left top point of this star holds two of my favorite people on the planet and my deepest loves, Masai and Kes,” Long said. “Thank you for being my soldiers. Thank you for giving me the space to do the work that I enjoy so very much.”
She continued, “For every season and every reason, I will forever be your anchor, a voice of truth, and a place where love holds your hand. There are parts of me that belong to no one but the two of you.”
Long’s career spans more than three decades and includes Boyz n the Hood, Friday, Love Jones, Soul Food, The Best Man franchise and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Most recently, she portrayed Katherine Jackson in the Michael Jackson biopic Michael.
After reflecting on the people who helped shape her journey, Long went on to describe the woman she has become.
“And at the nucleus of this star is a force who once doubted herself, a girl from Brooklyn with Caribbean roots who doesn’t suffer fools and expects transparency from everyone who loves her. She has never followed the crowd and would rather take the scenic route to success,” Long said.
“She loves deeply, and if you’re lucky enough to have her in your life, she will have your back by any means necessary. She is me, Nia Talita Long, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a storyteller, a writer, a director, a producer, and a voice for my community,” she added.
