Days after news broke of Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka’s extramarital with a married female staff member, his finacée and actress Nia Long — via a spokesperson — acknowledged the outpour of online support she received and asked that fans respect her privacy as she processed recent events.
The “Best Man” star remained firm on her request after paparazzi tried to fish out details regarding any possibility of reconciliation with the suspended Boston Celtics coach.
While out with her son, Kez Udoka, whom she shares with the former San Antonio Spurs player, Long was approached in a shopping plaza parking lot by a reporter who inquired about the trending scandal. The 51-year-old Hollywood veteran remained mainly silent as she and her 10-year-old son walked toward their vehicle. When asked by the person off camera, “How are you holding up,” the “Love Jones” star said, “I don’t have any comment right now; I’m sorry.”
The person continued to push, asking, “There’s nothing that you want to say? Are you guys working things out?” Long gently laughed off that question. When asked, “Is there any chance of forgiveness?” the actress entered her car, dodging the question altogether.
As previously reported, the “Fatal Affair” star was completely blindsided by Udoka’s affair and only found out because the Boston Celtics coach knew the public would soon be privy to infidelities.
Fans of the star slammed the reporter for asking about the sensitive topic in front of her child, including one Instagram user who wrote, “Leave her tf alone. She don’t bother nobody.” Another person commented, “This is so intrusive.” “How insensitive,” called out a third person. “She is with her son! She is a class act because I probably would have went all the way off.”
TMZ reported, “We’re told Ime knew way back in July the team was aware of the affair and would be taking action. Meanwhile, we’re told Nia only found out about it in the last few days … and only because Ime knew it was about to go public.” The heartbreaking announcement also comes at a time that Long and her son had recently moved to Boston and were house shopping with the NBA coach.
Shannon Barr, a rep for the star, told the outlet, “The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and the community during this difficult time means so much to me. I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children.”
