Nia Long Rides On Beyonce?

Nia Long Rides On Beyonce?
In an interview with Pride Magazine, Nia Long addressed the state of black Hollywood for actresses.  She also touched on the topic of singers crossing over into the film industry without having properly honed their skills.  Who’s name came up of course?  Yup, your girl Beyonce.  She was asked what she thought of Beyonce’s performance in Obsessed and this is what she said:

Via TheYBF:

“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,’” 

She also goes on to say, “If you’re a singer not an actress, you should sing. If you’re a rapper, you should rap,” “If you take time to develop your craft, God bless you. Jamie Foxx is an example of both [actor and singer].”

She then adds “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.”

Mediaoutrage-  We feel Nia on the whole taking the craft seriously.  Movie producers want to release a great product and are always vying for the most bankable star that they can afford to sell the movie to the public and financial backers.

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Published 7/14/09 by

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Comments (74)

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  • beyonce's dad is trying to make her angela bassett and it aint happening!
    Anonymous 12/12/09 Reply
  • To the person who said Nia Long is pissed because the role could have gone to a more qualified black actress- wouldn't you be??? Black actresses are dying for the type of material you get in films like Cadillac Records which they could do justice to (not to mention get paid for). Why do we have to see Beyonce everywhere? I think Nia Long's just being honest and hollywood needs to be too.
    Anonymous 11/20/09 Reply
  • Beyonce's talent is dancing, singing, writing, producing, looking good, and being fabulous.. She doesn't know how to be a b**** when the role calls for being a b****. She needs to loosen up!! And Nia is a great actress.
    Anonymous 11/13/09 Reply
  • it's true. Beyonce can't even act that well anyways. They only hire her cuz she could bring up box office ratings. It's sad. The film industry shouldnt be based on that. It should be based on talent !
    Anonymous 11/12/09 Reply
  • Wow.....I am a Nia Long fan but I am disappointed with the hypocritical attitude displayed in her comments....I mean she said if you are a singer sing...if you are a rapper rap...but she has been in a few movies with a well known RAPPER....ICECUBE (Boyz N The Hood, Are We There Yet, Are We Done Yet) Made In America with Will Smith....and was on a RAPPER's TV Show for a good minute....FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR....so the comment in the context presented here just looks like she was hating on Beyonce and other Female singers that aspire to be actresses.....the better thing for Nia to do is reach out and offer some suggestions and advice instead of these hypocritical comments….time for women to unite
    Anonymous 10/17/09 Reply
  • Eve's Bayou, Ruby's Bucket of Blood, Asunder, Miracle at St Anna,
    Anonymous 10/10/09 Reply
  • She's right. We all know Beyonce can't act, but what I find sad is that there is still so much competition when it comes to black roles in general. Nia is basically pissed because that role could have gone to a really qualified black actress, but would 'Becky' (generic white name) go see this movie if it were starring Regina King? Hell no! They don't know who that is. We need more roles. C'mon Tyler Perry. I'm tired of seeing Halle and Beyonce. Gabrielle Union would have been excellent in Obsessed.
    Anonymous 9/13/09 Reply
  • I believe her comment should be aimed at actresses as well. I know for myself I need a refund from "Woo". Jada know she wasn't broke enough to abuse her talent on that piece of garbage.
    Anonymous 8/21/09 Reply
  • Don't get me wrong...love Beyonce and her music...but seriously, you can't sit back and watch any of her movies and say to yourself, "damn that's some good acting..." It's not folks. Beyonce seems to look uncomfortable and in any character she plays it's unnatural. Sorry B...stick to the singing! But I love you!
    Anonymous 8/5/09 Reply
  • The only person that can pull off being a singer & a actress is Janet Jackson, she started off as a actress when she was a child, then began her music career. Janet Jackson is a true entertainer. Beyonce has alot of growing up & learning to do. Fact.
    Anonymous 8/3/09 Reply
  • All the Celebrities are doing a good job. and i love to be one of them soon, so watch out!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
    Bunmmy
    Anonymous 8/3/09 Reply
  • I think Nia made a very true and mature statement in a respectful manner. Nia's not hating on Bey. The fans have put Bey on this pedestal as if she has no flaws. Bey cannot act, simple as that, but she sells tickets. I'd rather see an actor do the job. Beyonce is getting it while it's hot because she HAS to. Her talent is ok, but she is promoted very well.
    Anonymous 8/2/09 Reply
  • I think Nia Long is right. I saw "Obsessed" and it was a great movie, but Beyonce was over acting. She plays roles better when they intail singing like : "Dream Girls" and " Cadillac Records" those kind of roles are made for her.
    Anonymous 7/31/09 Reply
  • I understand what Nia is say. She is basically saying these movie producers are not looking at acting skills but who can they put in their movie to make money. Some of these so called actors need to perfect their skills, like Nia said. It like the music now a dayz it bull because everybody is just putting out what will make money, not what is good.
    Anonymous 7/23/09 Reply
  • Moviegoers forget that acting is a craft. Skills are honed in "blackbox" theaters across the country where great performances go unseen by the masses. Nia is speaking to those that want to call themselves actors when they have not worked at it. A trained actor (Nia) can spot an "Actor" acting a mile away.
    Anonymous 7/20/09 Reply
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