Nia Long

Simply the Best

By Bonnie Siegler | Photography Elisabeth Caren

After over two decades in show business, actor Nia Long has seen her share of ups and downs. The mother of two has learned to roll with it and al ways finds the best life has to offer.

More Peaks Than Valleys 
After more than 20 years spent in the spotlight of television and film, Long has had to learn to block out the noise and focus on what’s important. The five-foot-two actor was born in Brooklyn, New York; then moved with her single mom to Los Angeles to find initial success as a Disney star and on the soap opera Guiding Light. Her audience reach is now broader than most actors. You may know her as Don Cheadle’s love interest on Showtime’s House of Lies, or as the star of movies including: Made In America, Soul Food, and Big Mamma’s House. Going back a little, Long played Will Smith’s long-time girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Brandi in Boyz n the Hood. (One of my favourite movies of all time.)

Throughout her journey Long, now 43, admits to experiencing peaks and valleys both professionally and personally. “If you don’t experience ups and downs in life, you’re downright boring!” says Long. “You need to be able to balance out your mind, body and spiritual sides on a regular basis. For me, the spiritual side is meditation and prayer. Working out is for the body and the emotional part is just understanding that I can handle it, even when it’s difficult.”

Long has always been a strong, independent woman who has a solid grip on life. “Listen, I am probably one of the most sensitive people. I cry at the drop of a hat, my feelings get hurt easily. It’s because I’m vulnerable, and I want to live my life being vulnerable when I need to be.”

On this sun-soaked morning, with minimal make-up, jeans and comfortable tee, Long turns serious for a moment, admit-ting that the ability to recognize her vulnerability has ultimately given her strength. “Because it’s a choice. It’s not that I’m vulnerable because I’m not strong or I don’t know how to handle things. I’m vulnerable because that’s the only way I believe you continue to learn, re-create yourself and re-generate, and understand that life is not always easy. When it’s great – enjoy it! And when it’s difficult, just know that you can get through it.”

Long feels there’s nothing like parenthood to put life into aclearer perspective. “I can’t imagine life without my kids. It is a challenge sometimes making time for myself. I love going to the movies with my kids whenever we can; I love music. I love traveling and I love good food with a bottle of wine with friends. I love interior decorating. So making moments for all of these things is difficult at times.”

Making Time for Fitness
 Taking care of your body is part of any balanced life. Long opts for a mix of Pilates, yoga and boxing – each with their own benefits. “I do more yoga now than Pilates because it goes along with my meditation. Boxing is very aggressive so when you just want to get it out or you’re frustrated about something, just making your body have to work that hard is great. Afterwards, I feel wow! I just kicked some butt and it feels great. Now just let me go kick life’s butt and keep it going.”

Eating for Pleasure – and Health 
Long loves food. She’s aware of how to balance her eating with her body’s nutritional needs. “I choose quinoa, avocado, fresh fruit, vegetables – all mostly from the local farmer’s market because the produce is better and you know what you’re eating.” Long tries to eat as gluten-free as possible and to include more protein in her diet. “I am a blood type that needs to eat more meat. I was raised a vegetarian so it’s an interesting mix.” On any given night, you may find the working mom whipping up turkey tacos in the family kitchen. “I make the best ground turkey tacos on the planet,” she boasts. “The secret is Spike, a spice I put in everything and a dollop of regular sour cream. They are absolutely divine. I don’t always have the sour cream because I’m constantly trying to make room for the chocolate chip cookies for dessert.”

A Balanced Life
“Everyone should try to balance themselves out as much as possible,” says Long. In addition to eating healthy and exercise, Long recently gotten involved in homeopathy. “The whole idea is very intriguing to me. I’ve learned so much about the importance of the adrenals – working moms especially can relate to this. When you are depleted, your body doesn’t function as quickly and efficiently as it should. Building that part of yourself up by going straight to the cells is much more effective,” says Long. “Modern medicine means you take a pill for this, a pill for that, but it’s just really a band-aide for a cellular issue. What I’m doing is more

Long’s Best of List: 
Starring in The Best Man Holiday out this November, Nia Long gives Viva a few of her bests:
Best played sport: Basketball (of course)
Best dressed man: Taye Diggs has amazing style to me – very comfortable, practical and with a mixture of vintage, classic and contemporary.
Best fragrance: If – I wear it year round.
Best performer: Beyonce
Best vacation spot: I am madly in love with Jamaica.