Nia Long and Ime Udoka are calling it quits after being together for 13 years.
A source close to the actress told People that the couple has broken up and will only focus on co-parenting their 11-year-old son, Kez.
“The situation is unfortunate and painful, but Nia is focusing on her children and rebuilding her life,” the rep said.
Their relationship downfall came after news of Udoka’s infidelity with a Boston Celtics female subordinate publicly surfaced. Long bashed the team’s organization for publicizing a private issue, causing Kez stress.
“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 public situation public,” Long said. “It was devastating, and it still is. He still has moments where it’s not easy for him. 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.”
The news of Udoka’s infidelity and suspension came out via a tweet from the Celtics.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 23, 2022
Long then made a statement to People thanking everyone for their support but requesting that her privacy be respected.
“The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me,” the actress said. “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.”
With this new chapter of her life, Long will focus on her children and her career. She told the Hollywood Reporter that she wanted to create films that depicted authentic Black culture, hinting at a directorial debut.
Long reprised her role as Jordan Armstrong from the prominent Black household film The Best Man in the third and final installment, The Best Man: The Final Chapters, coming out on Dec. 22. Long was cast into Black-ish creator Kenya Barris’ Netflix film, You People, coming on Jan. 27, 2023.
