Why Chris Rock's Date With Nia Long Got Incredibly Awkward

Celebrity hookups and romances are always hit or miss. Depending on the famous pair, they could be a match made in heaven and become one of the longest-lasting couples in Hollywood. Or, they can be so painfully mismatched that they earn the title of the weirdest celebrity couple. In the middle of the spectrum lies celebrity couples who gave things a try, but for one reason or another just didn't work out. As is the case with actor Nia Long and comic Chris Rock. 

Both Long and Rock have been in long term relationships with other people over the years. As of 2022, Rock is reportedly dating actor Lake Bell, according to Hollywood Life. Previously, Rock was married to Malaak Compton-Rock for 19 years before filing for divorce in 2014, according to CNN. For Long's part, she's been in a long-term relationship with former NBA player-turned-coach Ime Udoka since 2010. The two got engaged 2015, but Long has since expressed a desire to never walk down the aisle, per Essence.

However, Long and Rock crossed paths in the '90s and attempted to hit things off romantically. Unfortunately, things didn't work out, although they have very different versions of what went wrong during their attempt at dating.

Back in the 90s, when Nia Long and Chris Rock were still rising stars in Hollywood, they went on a date. Long first shared an account of the date during a 2018 episode of "Uncensored." According to Long. Rock was still a "Saturday Night Live" cast member, which puts the date of their date somewhere between 1991-1993 (via Insider). During this time, Long was on the long-running soap opera "Guiding Light," in which she appeared from 1991-1994 (via Empire Online).

Despite the fact that Long and Rock's star power was steadily rising, they just weren't compatible romantically. "I remember Chris Rock and I were set up on a blind date. He was on Saturday Night Live. He picked me up. We went out. We hated each other," Long shared on "Uncensored." "I was like this dude is not even that f***ing funny. And he's the only dude who's ever given me a false number," Long added. 

Later, Rock appeared on "The Wendy Williams" Show and shared his version of events. "Yes, I [gave Nia the wrong number] purposely. She was kind of obnoxious," Rock shared with the talk show host (via Eurweb). As for what turned Rock off, well, it appears that he didn't appreciate Long's approach to dating. "So, at some point in the day, I go, 'Are you seeing anybody?' And she says, 'No, but I know where I need to get some d*** if I need it.'"

Unfortunately, Nia Long's awkward date with Chris Rock is the least of her worries. As of this writing, the "Empire" actor is embroiled in the middle of very public scandal, and it's all thanks to her fiancé Ime Udoka. In September, Udoka, who is the Boston Celtics head coach, was suspended from his role for having an affair with a female staff member, per CBS Sports. Citing The Athletic, the same CBS report states that Udoka also made "unwanted comments" towards the woman. However, it appears that Udoka's wrongdoing is much more severe than the public knows. 

Former NBA star (and current ESPN analyst) Matt Barnes first defended Udoka amid his suspension, but then walked back his defense in an Instagram video, where he claimed that he didn't have he full story. "And, after finding out all the facts, after I spoke, I erased what I posted because this situation in Boston is deep. It's messy. It's 100 times uglier than any of us thought. And, that's why I erased what I said," Barnes shared (via The New York Post).

According to People, Long has also publicly addressed the scandal. "The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me," Long shared with the publication. "I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children."