*As we reported yesterday, according to sources, there was mucho tension on the set of “Empire” for recently debuted Spring season of the program and all fingers are being pointed at actress Nia Long.
Reportedly “Nasty Nia” was such nightmare to deal with that the hair and makeup people decided to file and official complaint against her. We also hear – via other sources – she (Long) threatened to sue the show over an improper goodbye.
Specifically Long and Taraji P. Henson went at each other because Henson didn’t appreciate the way Long treated the staff. TMZ is reporting that it also got so bad producers were trying to figure out how to shoot scenes with the two of them where each actress did their part separately. It was so tense neither would speak to the other.
Even Long’s reps are saying there is no truth to the accusations, sources tell thirty mile zone there were numerous incidents, but 3 are still vivid:
— Our sources say in the history of the show the hair and makeup people have only filed one formal complaint for mistreatment … and that was against Nia. The hair and makeup people say she was extremely disrespectful … at times deciding she didn’t like her look at the last minute and then chewing them out. The sources say there have been numerous guest appearances on the show — “from rappers to Demi Moore, and no complaints were lodged against anyone but Nia.”
— Our sources say Nia was “habitually late.” They say Taraji and Terrence Howard would sometimes be waiting on set for 30 minutes and Nia was a no-show. Producers would finally use a stand-in for Nia so Taraji and Terrence could rehearse a scene.
— It is custom on the set when guest stars finish their last scene for the Assistant Director to call it out … “This is (name of actor) last scene,” followed by a “thank you” and applause. When Nia did her last scene, Terrence was having some sort of allergic reaction and his lip began swelling. The A.D. was looking for Benadryl when Nia left. It’s unclear if the A.D. was distracted or just didn’t want to thank Nia, but we’re told as Nia walked out she told someone in production she was going to sue the show because the “goodbye” was in her contract. Production sources say it was not in her contract.
READ RELATED STORY:  TARAJI P. HENSON: ACTRESS SAYS PLAYING COOKIE LYON ‘DRAINS ME’
TMZ said they spoke with one actor on the show who said the experience was so unpleasant they would never work with her again. The site contacted Nia Long’s rep once again to get their side of the story and the rep is basically claiming Long was basically an angel during her time on set.
“We stand by our comments this morning that Nia has always, and continues to be, a consummate professional on set. In respect to her working relationships with the cast, she came onto this project, in the first place, because of her long-standing friendship and professional relationship with Terrence Howard.”
The rep went on to say:
“We are not aware of any complaint, suit or case against her from anyone involved in the show, and we find the timing of all of these stories to be very suspicious, given that the series returns tonight.”
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