Looks like there’s drama behind the scenes of the blockbuster “Michael,” and Nia Long isn’t staying quiet about it.
Show Nia Her Money?
The veteran actress is reportedly in a tense dispute with Lionsgate over what she believes is a major pay gap tied to her role in the hit biopic about Michael Jackson.
At the center of the issue is a “favored nations” clause in Long’s contract, which is a standard industry agreement meant to ensure equal pay among top-billed co-stars. But according to report from Puck based on accounts from unnamed insiders, Long discovered she was paid less than her male counterparts, including Colman Domingo and Miles Teller. Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King were said to have received $10 million and $6 million, respectively.
Long, who has an estimated net worth of $5 million, portrays Katherine Jackson, the matriarch of the Jackson family. While her role appears limited in the final cut, early versions of the script reportedly gave Long, 55, a much bigger presence.
The film itself has been a major success. As of late April 2026, “Michael” has earned over $430 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing biopics ever.
So far, Lionsgate hasn’t publicly responded to Long’s claims.
Long has built a career that stretches more than three decades, starting in 1986. She has spanned film and television, she became a Hollywood mainstay following her breakout in the early ’90s with standout roles in “Boyz n the Hood,” “Love Jones,” the “Best Man” franchise, and the hit series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
When asked recently about a possible “Michael” sequel, Long responded, “If the price is right!”
