Nia Long‘s personal life over the past few months has now affected her 36-year career. The actress’ fiancé, and Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka, was exposed for having a secret affair with the team’s service manager, Kathleen Nimmo Lynch in September. As previously reported, Lynch is a 34-year-old married white woman, mother of three and devout Mormon. She also allegedly organized all of Udoka’s travel arrangements including trips when Long travel on the road and to Boston for games.
Long and Udoka were dating in 2009 and engaged by 2015. For the affair, the disgraced coach received a year-long suspension for this NBA season.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Long explained how the emotional toll of this scandal impacted her career. As a result, she recently walked off the set of a film for the first time.
“It broke my heart to have to do it because that’s not who I am, but I knew that I needed to do it because it didn’t feel good in my belly,” the 52-year-old expressed.
The decision to do was completely out of Long’s character. But she was supported by her co-star who walked off set with her.
“It felt like not only was I supported by my fellow cast mate who was Black and who had a clear understanding of what I felt strongly about,” added Long, who described herself as “super Black.” “But there was also this sense that the business I have to deal with at home is more important to me than teaching a white director-producer how to tell a Black story.”
The scandal also affected the couple’s son 11-year-old son, Kez. She said she immediately took her son out of school after his father’s suspension hit the news.
“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,” said the “Best Man” star. “It was devastating, and it still is. He still has moments where it’s not easy for him.”
She continued, “If you’re in the business of protecting women, I’m sorry, no one from the Celtics organization has even called to see if I’m OK, to see if my children are OK. It’s very disappointing.”
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