Nia Long and Taraji P. Henson’s Feud: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes?

Nia Long and Taraji P. Henson are two powerhouse actresses, both celebrated for their talent and longevity in Hollywood. But rumors of a feud between them have circulated for years, especially after Nia’s brief appearance on the hit show “Empire.”

So, what really happened between these two stars, and why do some believe that forgiveness is off the table?

The drama reportedly began during Nia Long’s recurring role in “Empire” Season 3, where she played an ex of Lucious Lyon, getting entangled with Taraji’s iconic character, Cookie.

While fans were excited to see Nia join the cast, her character was written out rather quickly. According to multiple sources, this abrupt exit had less to do with the storyline and more to do with Nia’s alleged behavior on set.

Insiders claim that Nia was habitually late, sometimes leaving her co-stars, including Taraji and Terrence Howard, waiting for up to 30 minutes. When she didn’t show up, producers would use a stand-in so that scenes could be rehearsed.

Tension came to a head when someone on set made a comment about “black people’s time,” a stereotype about punctuality.

Nia reportedly lashed out at the person, prompting Taraji to intervene, allegedly with a joke about Nia being on her period. What may have been intended as a lighthearted attempt to diffuse the situation only made things worse, increasing the friction between the two actresses.

But tardiness wasn’t the only issue. The hair and makeup team reportedly filed a formal complaint against Nia—the first such complaint in the show’s history—citing disrespectful behavior and last-minute changes to her look.

Taraji, known for fiercely defending crew members, was said to be particularly upset by Nia’s treatment of the staff. According to sources, the situation escalated to the point where producers considered filming Taraji and Nia’s scenes separately to avoid further conflict.

Some say the root of the feud was deeper than on-set squabbles. With both actresses established in the industry, there may have been an unspoken rivalry, each wanting to be the star. While tensions reportedly eased by the end of the season, the relationship between the two never fully recovered.

Further complicating matters, rumors suggest that Nia had previously made disparaging remarks about Taraji’s success, which didn’t help when she joined a show where Taraji was the leading lady.

On top of that, Nia reportedly threatened legal action after not receiving a customary send-off when her time on “Empire” ended—a move some saw as petty given the existing complaints.

It’s not the first time Nia has faced such accusations. Director Malcolm Lee and actor Taye Diggs have both described her as a “challenge” to work with, citing incidents of unprofessional behavior on other sets.

Nia, however, has defended herself, saying she knows what works best for her and isn’t afraid to speak up—something she feels has unfairly earned her the “difficult” label.

Despite all the rumors, Nia’s representatives have denied any unprofessional conduct, calling the feud stories “complete nonsense.” Nia herself has publicly stated that she loves Taraji, trying to put the rumors to rest.

Still, the question remains: Is Nia Long a misunderstood professional, or is there truth to the diva rumors?

And can Taraji ever truly forgive and forget? For now, it seems the real story is somewhere in between—two strong women, both protective of their craft, whose clash became the stuff of Hollywood legend.