Nia Long has clocked in nearly 20 years in Hollywood.  Her respectable resume is nearly flawless with projects like “Boyz n the Hood,” “Love Jones,” “Alfie” and of course letting Kanye West know, “I’m m*therf*ckin’ Nia Long!” in the 2006 “Touch The Sky” video.  Born in New York but raised in Los Angeles, Long is now featured in Chris Rock’s witty documentary, “Good Hair,” which is in theaters today. 

Who has better hair history than Nia?  In the ‘90s, she was known for the short look with Black women waltzing into beauty shops asking for the “Halle Berry” or “Nia Long” style.  Her natural beauty, weave or no weave, has proven that working with what you got is the best ingredient for success – and even People magazine noticed it when in 2000 they named her one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. 

A longtime fixture at BET, we had to sit down with Ms. Nia.  In this interview, she talks all things hair, her career and a “Loves Jones” sequel. 

Some of my female friends have told me they are unsure about the film because it’s a sensitive topic.  When you first heard about "Good Hair" did you have any apprehension about this topic being exposed?
Well, the term "good hair" is taboo in our community. You hear that, it either brings back a childhood memory, it either brings back the memory of your mother popping you saying, "All hair is good hair, girl!  What are you talking about? Your hair is good hair!"  The phrase itself immediately causes dissention within the Black community because good hair is associated with lighter skin or of mixed race.  It just automatically separates us as Black people.  So, I can understand why the average Black woman would hear that phrase and cringe.  Well, the truth is the movie is not about that.  The movie isn't about good hair versus bad hair or light skin versus dark skin.  It definitely creates awareness in terms of what has been categorized as being good hair -- you see those images. It's not about one being better than the other.  Women are actually going to be able to go to the movie and laugh and go, "I know exactly what she means."  Everybody can relate to a good or bad hair day.  Good hair is whatever you are happy with.  If you got to go weave it -- so what!  That can be good hair too! 

The part about weaves, I thought was really fascinating.  When it comes Black women in media, back in the early '90s, you, Jada, Halle -- you didn't have weaves.  When and why do you think the times shifted where now it seems like nearly every Black woman in Hollywood has a weave?
It's interesting. We did the L.A. premiere.  I looked at some of the photos and saw all the girls; it was so great to have us all there together.  But, I looked around the room and I noticed we all had the same hair. Two things -- one, when you go on set it's much easier to have a weave than it is to have your own natural hair or to have a press and curl, it's easier to have a perm.  You might have a shower scene one second and then after you shoot that you might have a scene where you're running through the park.  Well, if you have your own natural hair and you don’t have a perm -- their hairstylist might not be familiar with that or it could just be that they don’t have the time to do the switch over. 

But, I think on a deeper level, there is a subtle expectation that our hair needs to be “tamed,” “nice,” or more “Anglo-looking.”  When you look at the images that are being celebrated in this country, there are far fewer that represent and define our beauty standards.  Subconsciously, not just actresses, all women try to look at the images that we see in the media that are considered beautiful. 

If you refused to wear a weave for an audition or a casting -- would that affect you getting a job? 
I’m not going to say I wouldn’t get a job based on my hair because producers can have wigs, they know you have a choice.  But, would I walk in there with an afro, dreds, or my head shaved and think it's okay?  I think that would probably have some sort of impact on whether or not I got the job.  Hollywood makes movies to sell a product.  The products that we see in the media, television and commercials look a certain way. Therefore, they want that product to be the same in the movie they're selling.  If afros were in and everyone had these big beautiful afros that would be one thing.  Everything that you see in the media is based on trends.  Hair is definitely a big part of that.

Men who have perms -- is that a turn off or a turn on?
Are you kidding! [Laughs]

I know people who still do it, especially in L.A.
I don’t think at this point in my life I could date a guy with a perm.  That’s just something I’m not into. [Laughs]  I just feel like, go with what you got!  I have a young son so his hair, I usually cut it short, keep it low because he plays a lot of sports and it’s easier for him.  I’ve let his afro grow out.  I think it’s adorable either way. 

First Lady Michelle Obama; people got mad when she had her shoulders out and wore shorts.  How do you think people would react if she had a long weave?
That’s a great question.  I think it would be split.  Some women would say, “Why did she do that?”  Some women would say, “Her hair looks great.”  It depends on how you view a weave.  I think her hair is perfect the way that it is. I think she finally gives us something to look at that looks like us.  She is a brown-skinned woman with either a perm or a press and curl – whatever it is; it’s a part of who we are.  She’s a beautiful woman… it amazes me how the Obamas are under a microscope.  This country is so screwed up; it’s going to take time for change to happen.  The thing that Obama is doing is helping us understand the importance of changing our consciousness and changing our approach to dealing with the issues of this country.  It was change enough to accept a Black man as the President.  My God, people can say all day long, “It wasn’t about him being Black.”  There were people that voted for Obama just because he was Black because of the struggle Black people had gone through.  Then, there are people who thought he was the best man for the job – White, Black, or whatever. 

I have to ask you about “Love Jones.” Are you surprised how people are obsessed with that movie even to this day?
Making the movie, it was just so close to what I know as being Black – Black love.  It’s the closest that you were going to ever get in my opinion. That film is timeless.  For years, they’ve been saying, “Let’s do a sequel.” I heard that it’s possible there might be a sequel in the works that’s going straight to video with two other actors because I would never do that and Larenz [Tate] wouldn’t either.  I think that’s going to be the biggest mistake they could ever make.  It’s a cult classic and people love that movie.  If you try to serve that up with different actors and a sequel straight to video, you’re going to piss a lot of people off. 

I need Nina Mosley! [Laughs]
Right!  It’s not even about my own ego, it’s just I do understand what it means to us.  I do understand what people expect.  Larenz and I made a pact, I haven’t talked to him in years, we would never do it unless it was done properly.  There is no reason to touch something that was done so beautifully.  Not even us as actors but just the story, the visuals, the dialogue and the music.  It was rich with textures.   

You caused a bit of controversy with your PETA ad.  Some people were upset that you said there isn’t a difference between fur and slavery.  What's your response to those who were offended?
My quote was killing an animal and people being in the holocaust – that’s what I was saying.  The truth of the matter is we’re talking about something human – whether it’s human, as in a person, or an animal – there’s still life there.  What gives us the right to take another person’s life or an animal’s life for our own benefit?  That’s what happened with slaves. That’s what happened with Jews in the holocaust.  It’s an extreme, but ultimately if we are to respect God’s given creatures then it really applies on all levels.  There are certain animals that are sacrificed and certain animals that were killed to feed people but dogs, cats, minks and living things should be left alone.  

When I look back at the ‘90s, I see a golden period for Black films. Now, I feel like it’s going downhill.  There are folks doing some things but we used to have a great Black film coming out each year.  How do you feel about that?
I don’t know… I don’t want to sit here and go, “Oh gosh, everything is horrible.”  Because it depends on what you are looking for and what you like. But what concerns me about Black filmmaking and Black images being presented in television and film is it’s becoming so much about the dollars and cents that we’re actually sacrificing the integrity of the art. Reality television has stepped in and just changed the whole lineup of television.  I just think if Hollywood can make a movie for cheaper quality and make the same amount of money, if not more, they’re going to -- it is what it is.  I would love to get back to authentic Black love, Black awareness, experiences, women -- not huge, over-the-top characters that are melodramatic and only represent a very small aspect of who we are. 

I can recall they criticized “Boyz n the Hood” for being “stereotypical” and “violent.”  You look back on it now and it’s brilliant. 
It’s brilliant!  Yeah, people are going to always have something to say.  But, you’re right, “Boyz n the Hood,” when I watch that film now I’m like -- wow, this is a film that needs to be shown in schools, the Boys and Girls Club.  Even though there might be some things in the movie that might not be age appropriate, we need to talk about these things with our youth.  Same thing with “Good Hair” -- I feel like this film should be shown in beauty colleges, especially young girls that don’t understand what coarse hair meant. Where this hair came from, understanding the journey or Black women, coming from Africa, migrating and being in the slave trade. Our hair is so much a part of our history.  

“Good Hair” is in theaters today.