Nia Long, Snoop Dogg, Larenz Tate, Terrence Howard & More Attend Her Walk Of Fame Ceremony In L.A.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Oh that is his wife, I knew that was Lady Boss. Chamber of Commerce. For over 60 years the Hollywood Chamber has brought luminaries of the entertainment industry to this iconic boulevard. To cement their legend among the legends of entertainment. And today is no different. We are honoring an actress who is a constellation unto herself. With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We welcome, we are glad to introduce a Hollywood favorite. A Emmy award winning journalist, Angelique Jackson. Walk of Famer, Terrence Howard. Special shout out to Lionsgate Chairman Adam Fogelson. Next speaker is a grandma. So we're here today for one reason. To get some flowers to a real queen. Miss Nia Long. Nia Binstock. Y'all just now putting it on the sidewalk? You see we've been on Boys in the Hood, Friday, Love Jump, Soul Food, The Best Man. Come on now. Nia wasn't just in the culture. Nia is the culture. And let me tell you something else. For about 30 years Nia Long had every black man in America thinking he had a chance. You didn't. But she let you join her. And we appreciate you for that Nia. Real talk. But for real, what I love and respect about this woman is that she did it her way. You know Hollywood has a way of trying to change you. Trying to tell you how to look. Tell you how to talk. Tell you who you're supposed to be. And sometimes even tell you when your time is up. But Nia, she said nah. I'm gonna be Nia. And that's why we're still standing here celebrating her after all these years. She's beautiful, talented, strong, authentic, and always classy. That's longevity. That's black excellence. And that's a queen. And Nia, let me tell you this. You've given us so many characters that became a part of our lives. You made us laugh. You made us cry. You made us fall in love. And you represented our women with beauty, strength, and truth. Yes you did. And you did all that without ever losing you. The part I respect the most. So today when we put that thing in the ground and say Nia Long on Hollywood Boulevard, just know that that star is not making you Hollywood royalty. Because you've been Hollywood royalty. This is just Hollywood finally putting it. Now Nia, you know I love you. I respect you. I celebrate you. And on behalf of everybody whose life, career, dreams, or crushes that you touched along the way, here's a toast to success and nothing less. I love what you say. But right now, I'm the sun that shines on your day. The long way. N-I-A. Talk the talk, honey. Uh-huh. And walk the walk, honey. Because you earned it. Now let's put this thing in the ground so everybody can know what we already knew. Nia Long was the everything. Congratulations. It is, I would say, pretty impossible to The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce of the city of Los Angeles, and I'm Google's sort of Martinez. We'd like to present this resolution to you, Miss Nia Long. Really? Or be a queen? Just sing this. This is such an incredible day. Thank you all so much for being here. Thank you. I'm just very grateful and thankful. Generous support, led by the amazing Adam Fogelson. We started many years ago with the best man, and I'm just so happy to partner with you here again. And I know that it is because of you that I'm standing here and that this amazing event is happening, so thank you. And the team, Helen, Amanda, Nassim, thank you so much. To my family and friends who traveled across the country to be here, I love you so very much. My auntie Brenda from Detroit, Michigan. I love you, auntie. Grant King, thank you so much for your kind words. If I could make every movie with you, I would. Thank you for your vision, your passion, and your fearlessness. We made a film that brought joy to everyone around the world in the name of Michael Jackson and his incredible legacy. Thank you for creating a space for me to bring a quiet breeze to my portrayal of Katherine Jackson. Thank you to the entire JK Films team. And Lydia, you already know how I feel about you. I love you, girl. And to An-Fui Kwok. You were such a champion every day on set, and the magic you brought to this film was truly incredible. I am forever grateful to my co-stars, Colvin and Jafar, who are both working out there in the world being movie stars. Being able to play your wife and mother was a privilege, and we will forever be family. Snoop, now you know that jacket took me out. I may need to borrow it. I've known you for over 25 years. You are my brother for life. Always check in with me and the boys when it matters the most. Thank you for showing up for me in the way that you do. Thank you for the decades of music that tell our stories and remind me to keep it gangsta as needed. Thank you to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Anna Martinez for this incredible honor and making a lifelong dream come true. Angelique Jackson, thank you for emceeing today. My amazing team, Brett, Nancy, Jason, Stephen, Lee, and Lori, I can't do anything without you. Thank you for your partnership. You know, I've been thinking a lot about what this star symbolizes and what each of its five points represents in my life. Each of its five points holds my center of gravity. Each of its five points has anchored me and provided a place where I find love beyond measure and a safe haven to manifest my wildest dreams. The star is God, my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ, who governs everything I do while gently encouraging me to stand strong in my purpose with grit and grace. I truly understand that God made a promise over my life long before I was old enough to understand it. Everything I have accomplished has been done inside of that promise. At the top right, take it along. Artist, a singer, the best tati my children could ever ask for. Can you please stand? You are selfless and kind at times to a fault. You are my right hand and I'm your protector. There's never been a day when I needed you that you didn't show up for me. Five days living in South Central LA when you drove the RTD bus and I was a latchkey kid. Money was scarce and opportunities to thrive seemed to pass us by. I remember the days we walked down Hollywood Boulevard to the only New York style pizza spot in LA while reading the cemented names of stars aloud on this very boulevard. You told me I would have a star one day. And here we are. It was you who took me to my very first acting class, to every audition and wiped every tear of rejection. But somehow we made it through the challenges and the heartbreaks. I share the star with you because there isn't any part of my story that doesn't circle back to your bravery and unconditional love. I love you, Mommy, and I wouldn't be here without you. To the left top point of this star holds two of my favorite people on the planet and my deepest loves. Maasai and Kez, thank you for being my soldiers. Thank you for giving me the space to do the work that I enjoy so very much. For every season and every reason, I will forever be your anchor, a voice of truth and a place where love holds your hand. Parts of me that belong to no one but the two of you. I love you so much, even though I know I get on your nerves sometimes. To Ime and Maasai Sr., thank you for being here to celebrate this moment with me and our two young kings. We are forever family. Inside of this star lives the loves of my life who are no longer here in the physical realm. My grandmother, Pearl Gilman, an immigrant from the island of Grenada, who taught me everything I know about beauty and being a lady, skills that have helped me shape every character I've ever portrayed. And my grandfather, Clyde Gilman, an immigrant from the island of Trinidad, who would always remind me to give the crowd something to talk about. And my father, Daughtry Long, who gifted me with a poetic heart and the burning desire to find the truth and purpose in everything that I do. To my brother, John Singleton, who saw something in me I was yet to discover. I can still hear your laughter echoing through my mind. Your footprint on this industry will never be duplicated. To the ancestors who fought the fights I wasn't equipped to fight in order for me to have the opportunities and freedom to be all of myself in every room I enter and every screen I grace. At this point lives a sisterhood, a vibrant, beautiful sisterhood where I fellowship with women in my life who hold me down, who keep my secrets, who cheer me on. I love you so much. Thank you for being the brilliant-minded voices of reason for every season in my life. Lean on me strong, baby. You are so good. I'm taking 95 and we've been making out for two hours. He's like, lean strong, let's go. Okay, and at the nucleus of this star is a foiling force who once doubted herself, bringing in roots who doesn't suffer fools and expects transparency from everyone who loves her. She has never followed the crowd and would rather take the scenic route to success. She loves deeply and if you're lucky enough to have her in your life, she will have your back by any means necessary. She is me, Nia Tabitha Long. A daughter, a friend, a storyteller, a writer, a director, a producer, and a voice for my community. As I continue my journey alongside my five points of gravity, I will twinkle and shine, I will expand, I will inspire and represent the unique magical mystery that can only be found in the essence of a black woman. Thank you again to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for cementing my name with a gold star as a symbol of hope and inspiration for the next young girl with a dream walking down Hollywood Boulevard enjoying a slice of New York style cheese pizza. Thank you guys. Thank you so much. Good morning and welcome to Hollywood. My name is Jerry Newman. I have the honor of being the chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. For over 60 years, the Hollywood Chamber has brought luminaries of the entertainment industry to this iconic boulevard to cement their legend among the legends of entertainment and today is no different. We are honoring an actress who is a constellation up to herself with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We welcome Nia Long. To bring us through this whole ceremony, it is my pleasure to introduce a Hollywood favorite, an Emmy Award winning journalist, Angelique Jackson. Walk of Famers, so they know what it's like for their names to be walked all over Nia. You're in great company. We have a Walk of Famer, Courtney V. Vance. Please welcome Walk of Famer, Terrence Howard. Walk of Famer, Morris Chessie. Let's also welcome Daphne Wayans. Let's welcome Mrs. Carroll. Before we have Mr. Lorenz Tate. Please welcome Bill Bellamy. Thank you all so much for coming and we will also of course have to give a special shout out to Lionsgate Chairman, Adam Fogelson. Our next speaker is a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum recording artist, entrepreneur, actor, producer, television personality, and promotable cultural icon whose influence has transcended music for more than three decades. And over the course of his extraordinary career, he has continually reinvented himself while remaining unmistakably himself. Now this man's career in film and television, enduring figure in pop culture, and he delivered one of the best Walk of Fame speeches of all time. So it is my pleasure to welcome Walk of Famer, Snoop Dogg to the stage. Mic check, one, two. What's crackin' like? Put together a couple of words for you, Nia, if you don't mind. So we're here today for one reason. To give some flowers to a real queen. Miss Nia Lorenz. Now hold on, Nia better start. Y'all just now putting it on the sidewalk? You see, we've been known. Boys in the Hood, Friday, Love Jumps, Soul Food, The Best Man. Come on now. Nia wasn't just in the culture. Nia is the culture. Yes. And let me tell you something else. For about 30 years, Nia Lorenz had every black man in America thinking he had a chance. You didn't. But she let you dream. And we appreciate you for that, Nia. Real talk. But for real, what I love and respect about this woman is that she did it her way. You know, Hollywood has a way of trying to change you. Trying to tell you how to look. Tell you how to talk. Tell you who you're supposed to be. And sometimes even tell you when your time is up. But Nia, she said, nah, I'ma be Nia. And that's why we still standing here celebrating her after all these years. She's beautiful, talented, strong, authentic, and always classy. That's longevity. That's black excellence. And that's a queen. Now Nia, let me tell you this. You've given us so many characters that became a part of our lives. You made us laugh. You made us cry. You made us fall in love. And you represented our women with beauty, strength, truth. Yes, you did. And you did all that without ever losing you. That's the part I respect the most. So today when we put that thing in the ground and say, Nia Long on Hollywood Boulevard, just know that that star is not making you Hollywood royalty. Because you've been Hollywood royalty. This is just Hollywood finally putting it in writing. Now Nia, you know I love you. I respect you. I celebrate you. And on behalf of everybody whose life, career, dreams, or crushes that you touched along the way, Nia, here's a toast to success and nothing less. Who am I? I'll be whoever you say. But right now, I'm the sun that shines on your day. The long way. N-I-A. Talk the talk, honey. And walk the walk, money. Because you earned this way. Now let's put this thing in the ground so everybody can know what we already knew. Nia Long was forever, baby. Congratulations. It is, I will say, pretty impossible to follow that. But I will keep my personal promise. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the Walk of Fame on behalf of the city of Los Angeles. And on behalf of our councilman, Hugo Soto-Martinez, we'd like to present this resolution to you as Nia Long. I think I need some tissue. Before I start. Just in case. A long glam morning. This is such an incredible day. Thank you all so much for being here. I am... I'm just really touched and I'm emotional and I'm happy and I'm just very grateful and thankful. I want to thank my Lionsgate family for your generous support, led by the amazing Adam Fogelson. We started many years ago with the best man. And I'm just so happy to partner with you here again. And I know that it is because of you that I'm standing here and that this amazing event is happening. So thank you. And the team, Helen, Amanda, Nassim, thank you so much. To my family and friends who traveled across the country to be here, I love you so very much. My Auntie Brenda from Detroit, Michigan. I love you, Auntie. Graham King, thank you so much for your kind words. If I could make every movie with you, I would. Thank you for your vision, your passion, and your fearlessness. We made a film that brought joy to everyone around the world in the name of Michael Jackson and his incredible legacy. Thank you for creating space for me to bring a quiet grace to my portrayal of Kathleen Jackson. Thank you to the entire J.K. Jones team. And Lydia, you already know how I feel about you. I love you, girl. Antoine Foucault, you were such a champion every day on set. And the magic you brought to this film was truly incredible. I am forever grateful. To my co-stars, Colvin and Jafar, who are both working and out there in the world being movie stars. Being able to play your wife and mother was a privilege, and we will forever be family. Snoop. Now you know that jacket took me out. I may need to borrow it. I've known you for over 25 years. You are my brother for life. You always check in with me and the boys when it matters the most. Thank you for showing up for me in the way that you do. Thank you for the decades of music that tell our stories. And remind me to keep it gangsta as needed. I love you, brother. Thank you to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Anna Martinez for this incredible honor and making a lifelong dream come true. Angelique Jackson, thank you for emceeing today. My amazing team, Brett, Nancy, Jason, Stephen, Lee, and Lori. I can't do anything without you. Thank you for your partnership. You know, I've been thinking a lot about what this star symbolizes. And what each of its five points represents in my life. Each of its five points holds my center of gravity. Each of its five points have anchored me and provided a place where I find love beyond measure and a safe haven to manifest my wildest dreams. My five points are spoken for. At the top of this star is God, my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ, who governs everything I do while gently encouraging me to stand strong in my purpose with grit and grace. I truly understand that God made a promise over my life long before I was old enough to understand it. Everything I have accomplished has been done inside of that promise. And at the top right is my mom, Talita Long, an artist, a singer, and the best tati my children could ever ask for. Mommy, can you please stand? You are selfless and kind at times to a fault. You are my right hand and I'm your protector. There's never been a day when I needed you that you didn't show up for me. I remember the hard days living in South Central L.A. when you drove the RTD bus and I was a latchkey kid. Money was scarce and opportunities to thrive seemed to pass us by. I remember the days we walked down Hollywood Boulevard to the only New York-style pizza spot in L.A. while reading the cemented names of stars aloud on this very boulevard. You told me I would have a star one day. And here we are. It was you who took me to my very first acting class to every audition and wiped every tear of rejection. But somehow we made it through the challenges and the heartbreaks. I share this star with you because there isn't any part of my story that doesn't circle back to your bravery and unconditional love. I love you, Mommy, and I wouldn't be here without you. To the left-top point of this star holds two of my favorite people on the planet and my deepest loves. Masai and Kez, thank you for being my soldiers. Thank you for giving me the space to do the work that I enjoy so very much. For every season and every reason, I will forever be your anchor, a voice of truth, and a place where love holds your hand. There are parts of me that belong to no one but the two of you. I love you so much, even though I know I get on your nerves sometimes. To Ime and Masai Sr., thank you for being here to celebrate this moment with me and our two young kings. We are forever family. At the bottom right of this star lives the loves of my life who are no longer here in the physical realm. My grandmother, Pearl Gilman, an immigrant from the island of Grenada, who taught me everything I know about beauty and being a lady, skills that have helped me shape every character I've ever portrayed. And my grandfather, Clyde Gilman, an immigrant from the island of Trinidad, who would always remind me to give the crowd something to talk about. And my father, Dotri Long, who gifted me with a poetic heart and the burning desire to find the truth and purpose in everything that I do. To my brother, John Singleton, who saw something in me I was yet to discover. I can still hear your laughter echoing through my mind. Your footprint on this industry will never be duplicated. And finally, to the ancestors who fought the fights I wasn't equipped to fight in order for me to have the opportunities and freedom to be all of myself in every room I enter and every screen I grace. At the bottom left point lives a sisterhood, a vibrant, beautiful sisterhood where I fellowship with women in my life who hold me down, who keep my secrets, who cheer me on. I love you so much. Thank you for being the brilliant-minded voices of reason for every season in my life. Nia Long is strong, baby. We love you so much. That's what LeBron Stain always says. When we're on take 95 and we've been making out for two hours, he's like, Nia Strong, let's go. Okay. And at the nucleus of this star is a flame force who once doubted herself. A girl from Brooklyn with Caribbean roots who doesn't suffer fools and expects transparency from everyone who loves her. She has never followed the crowd and would rather take the scenic route to success. She loves deeply and if you're lucky enough to have her in your life, she will have your back by any means necessary. She is me, Nia Tabitha Long. A mother, a daughter, a friend, a storyteller, a writer, a director, a producer, and a voice for my community. As I continue my journey alongside my five points of gravity, I will twinkle and shine. I will expand. I will inspire and represent the unique, magical mystery that can only be found in the essence of a black woman. Thank you again to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for cementing my name with a gold star as a symbol of hope and inspiration for the next young girl with a dream walking down Hollywood Boulevard enjoying a slice of New York style cheese pizza with her mother. Thank you guys. Thank you so much.