No Shade, Just Stage: Shepherd Clears the Air After Awkward Theater Run-In
In a moment that blended Broadway drama with real-life tension, Sherri host Sherri Shepherd is setting the record straight—and calling for reconciliation.
During a candid appearance on The Breakfast Club podcast this week, Shepherd revealed that the actress who allegedly confronted her backstage at the opening night of Othello on Broadway back in March was none other than Nia Long, the acclaimed star of NCIS: Los Angeles and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
The unexpected backstage dust-up had been a mystery until now, with Shepherd previously sharing the encounter on her talk show without naming names. But on the podcast, she confirmed the speculation and addressed it head-on.
“I Don’t Have Any Beef With Nia Long”
“She grabbed my arm and spun me around,” Shepherd recalled of the interaction, saying Long had accused her of throwing shade. “I don’t know who Nia Long had me confused with… It was not me.”
Shepherd, ever the comedian, admitted that the story made it into her show’s monologue—as any curious encounter would. “I’m a stand-up comic. My life is material,” she explained. “The talk show is my stage.”
Despite the tension, Shepherd insists there’s no malice in her heart. “I supported her when she went through her split,” she said, referencing Long’s very public breakup with former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, following allegations of infidelity. “She deserves a good man. I’m a fan of hers.”
The Invitation Still Stands
With poise and grace, Shepherd is leaving the door open—literally. “We’re both grown women,” she said. “I’ve invited her on the show, and that invitation still stands. I’d love to talk to her and just clear the air.”
Shepherd also pushed back on criticism about airing the incident publicly. “I never said her name. There were a lot of women at the Othello premiere,” she noted. “But if you touch me and spin me around, I have to talk about it. That’s how I process life.”
A Call for Closure
With tensions cooling, Shepherd’s message is clear: “I’m cool. It’s done. I’m not trying to tear anyone down.”
Whether or not Long will respond to the invitation remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure: Sherri is keeping it classy, candid, and always open to conversation.
📺 Sherri airs weekdays — check your local listings.
