A Hollywood Star For This Caribbean Heritage Actress
Originally published by News Americas Now Read the original
By NAN ET Editor
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Sept. 15, 2026: Top Caribbean heritage actress Nia Long will be honored with the 2,857th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, September 16th in the category of Motion Pictures, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced. ‘
Long’s Caribbean roots run deep across several islands. Her maternal grandfather, Clyde Vernon Gillman, was born in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and Long has spoken warmly about her connection to Trinidadian culture and food. Her maternal grandmother, Pearl Miriam Gittens, was born in Grenada, with family roots extending to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados. Together, those ties connect the Brooklyn-born actress to Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados – making her Hollywood milestone a proud Caribbean diaspora moment.
The ceremony will take place tomorrow, September 16th, at 11:30 a.m. PT at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard and will be emceed by Variety correspondent Angelique Jackson, with guest speakers including producer Michael ” Michael ” Jackson and Snoop Dogg. The event will stream live at walkoffame.com.
WALL OF FAME ON LONG
“Nia is such a beloved and talented actress, and we’re so excited to celebrate her incredible career with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” said Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer. “She has brought so many unforgettable characters to life and has connected with audiences for decades.”
ABOUT LONG
Long was born on October 30, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents who were both educators and artists. After her parents divorced when she was young, she moved with her mother to Iowa City before settling in South Los Angeles. She studied ballet, jazz, guitar and acting while attending St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood, then went on to build a celebrated acting career, rising to prominence through roles in Boyz n the Hood and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air before becoming a fan favorite in films including Friday, Love Jones, Soul Food and The Best Man. Her most recent film, “Michael,” the Michael Jackson biopic in which she starred as Katherine Jackson, became the highest-grossing music biopic of all time worldwide following its April 2026 release. A four-time NAACP Award winner, Long recently wrapped Netflix’s “Don’t Ever Wonder” alongside her “Love Jones” co-star Larenz Tate, and is set to reunite with Ice Cube for “Are They Gone Yet?”
Long has also maintained ties to the region by supporting the Sterling Children’s Home in Barbados, where she has contributed her time as a motivational speaker. She is also the mother of two sons. Long was previously engaged to former NBA player and coach Ime Udoka, with whom she shares her younger son; the couple ended their relationship in 2022.
NewsAmericasNow will continue celebrating Caribbean heritage across Hollywood and beyond.