Taraji P. Henson Exposes Nia Long’s Alleged Jealousy and On-Set Drama

Taraji P. Henson and Nia Long are both celebrated actresses, but behind the scenes of the hit show “Empire,” rumors swirled about intense drama and rivalry between the two.

According to multiple sources and industry insiders, their relationship on set was anything but friendly, with claims that Nia Long tried to get Taraji fired out of jealousy for her leading role as Cookie Lyon.

The tension reportedly started when Nia Long joined “Empire” in season 3 as a recurring character and Lucious Lyon’s ex. Allegedly, Nia wanted to make her role more central, pushing for storyline changes that would sideline Taraji’s character.

Producers even considered shooting their scenes separately because the two actresses couldn’t get along, and the atmosphere on set became so tense that they stopped speaking to each other.

Things escalated when Taraji confronted Nia about her unprofessional behavior, especially after Nia showed up late to set. Taraji, known for her professionalism, reportedly asked Nia if she was on her period, which set Nia off and nearly led to a physical altercation. The cast and crew had to intervene before things turned ugly.

Nia’s alleged attitude wasn’t just a problem for Taraji—reports say she was also rude and disrespectful to the hair and makeup team, leading to the only formal complaint ever filed in the history of “Empire.”

Crew members described her as difficult, often showing up late, criticizing her look, and being uncooperative with stylists. Insiders claimed that even with a long list of celebrity guests on set, no one caused as many problems as Nia.

When Nia filmed her final scene, the usual tradition of applause and recognition was skipped. Instead, her departure was ignored, with sources suggesting the director was simply tired of her antics.

Nia reportedly threatened to sue over the snub, but most of the cast and crew were relieved to see her go.

Industry insiders have noted that Nia Long has a reputation for being difficult to work with, with similar stories from directors like Malcolm Lee and actors like Taye Diggs, who claimed Nia hit him too hard during a scene.

Nia has also had public feuds with other actresses, including Jada Pinkett Smith, fueling speculation that she struggles to get along with successful peers.

Some believe Nia’s frustration stems from feeling overshadowed by Taraji’s rise to fame, especially since Nia started her career earlier but never landed a breakout leading role like Taraji’s Cookie Lyon.

Nia herself has voiced disappointment over not being considered for major roles, such as in “Avatar,” and has a pattern of publicly questioning casting decisions.

Despite the rumors, Nia has not publicly addressed the accusations or tried to clear her name, which some argue makes her look even more guilty. Meanwhile, Taraji has spoken out about the challenges Black women face in Hollywood, expressing disappointment that Nia, another Black actress, would try to undermine her.

Ultimately, the ongoing drama has left fans wondering: Is Nia Long misunderstood, or is she Hollywood’s biggest “mean girl”? The lack of response from Nia only adds fuel to the fire, leaving her reputation in question.