Nia Long holds back tears recalling months following Ime Udoka split

Nia Long fought back tears as she reflected on the “devastating” months following her split from fiancé Ime Udoka.

“I’ve had some pretty devastating moments in my life over the last couple of months,” she told Yahoo! Entertainment over the weekend.

“And I’ve had to just say, ‘It’s alright. You’ll pick yourself back up and’ — oh my god. I’m about to cry. ‘You’ll pick yourself back up and keep moving,’” she added as she fanned her face with her hands to stop herself from crying.

Nia Long posing in a black dress.
The “Missing” actress held back tears as she talked about how her life has been following her split from her fiancé.
Instagram/nialong

The “Best Man” actress’ emotional revelation comes four months after the Boston Celtics announced that Udoka, 45, would be suspended as head coach for allegedly having “an intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise’s staff.”

Following his suspension, Udoka issued a public apology to his team, the entire Celtics organization and his family for “letting them down.”

“I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision,” he said in a statement to ESPN in September. “Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.” 

Long was “blindsided” by Udoka’s cheating.

Nia Long
Long was “blindsided” by Udoka’s cheating.


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Nia Long
Long was “blindsided” by Udoka’s cheating.


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Long was reportedly “blindsided” by the affair and Udoka only told her about the cheating days before he knew the news would become public.

Two months later, Long spoke out about how the scandal has impacted her and Udoka’s 11-year-old son, Kez.

“I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public,” she told The Hollywood Reporter last December.

“No one from the Celtics organization has even called to see if I’m OK, to see if my children are OK,” the “Boyz n the Hood” star continued. “It’s very disappointing.”

Ime Udoka coaching a babketball game.
Udoka was suspended from the Celtics for allegedly having “an intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise’s staff.”
NBAE via Getty Images

Later that month, Long’s rep confirmed to People that she and the former NBA coach were “no longer together but remain fully committed to co-parenting their son.”

A source also told the outlet that “the situation is unfortunate and painful, but Nia is focusing on her children and rebuilding her life.”

Sue Bird, Nia Long and Ime Udoka posing together on a basketball court.
Last December, a rep for Long revealed that the “Friday” actress called it quits with the former head coach.

Ime Udoka and Nia Long posing together on the red carpet.
Last December, a rep for Long revealed that the “Friday” actress called it quits with the former head coach.


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Ime Udoka and Nia Long posing together on the red carpet with their kids.
Last December, a rep for Long revealed that the “Friday” actress called it quits with the former head coach.


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Udoka and Long began dating in 2010 after meeting through mutual friends. In 2015, the former couple got engaged.

Long is also a mom to son Massai II, 22, from a previous relationship.

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