Nia Long celebrated a major career milestone with the people closest to her present as she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The actress was surrounded by family at the Sept. 16 ceremony in Los Angeles, including her sons, 25-year-old Massai Zhivago Dorsey II and 14-year-old Kez Sunday Udoka, as well as her mother, Talita Long.
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In her acceptance speech, Long said the star’s five points each symbolized a person or force that has kept her grounded throughout her life.
She dedicated one of those points to her mother, praising her for believing in and supporting her well before Hollywood recognized her talent.
“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.”
Long also reflected on the time she and her mother spent walking along Hollywood Boulevard, years before she could have imagined seeing her own name 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.”
The actress thanked her mother for enrolling her in her first acting class, taking her to auditions and helping her navigate the rejection she faced along the way.
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“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.