Nia Long has graced Playboy magazine for the first time.
The legendary actress, who’s been considered one of Hollywood’s biggest sex symbols for years, posed for the magazine’s Spring 2026 issue in a pinstripe dress, floor-length fur jacket, and fishnet tights. She posted a photo from the shoot on X, writing, “Thank you @playboy for capturing this moment of joy.”
In the accompanying interview, Long got candid about everything from appearing in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael to whether she’s looking for a partner anytime soon.
When discussing how she’ll deal with the inevitable scrutiny that’ll come with starring as Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson, Long revealed how she’ll “protect her sanity.”
“No one can interfere with my sanity. That’s number one,” she said. “I learned a long time ago that you cannot be successful in this industry if you listen to the noise and the distractions. And the one thing that I am very, very, very protective of is my peace. Because in order for me to do what I do, I have to commit to that first.”
“Although there will be noise, and there will be things that are out of my control. Listen, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I’m here to interpret a story, to represent a woman, to represent a mother, to represent a Black woman who, in my opinion, is the real hero in all of this,” Long added. “I know what it’s like to be a mom carrying the weight, and when I think of grace, I think of Katherine Jackson.”
She also shared her “most precious” Michael Jackson memory, which happened at a Stevie Wonder show.
“I was walking up a flight of steps, and as I was headed down to the stage, in walks Michael Jackson with John Singleton. He was like, ‘Hi, Nia Long!’ I literally couldn’t speak,” she recalled.
Elsewhere in the interview, Long spoke about whether she’s dating and revealed that she doesn’t “like that word.”
“I feel like that requires me to go out and do something. I do think that if you’re looking for a partner, you have to be actively out there in order to meet,” she explained. “But I am not in that space right now. I’m really focused on my kids, my work, and my girlfriends, and going out and having a good time. …I like to get up and do what I want to do when I want to do it. It’s not that I don’t want to have a partner, but I was in a relationship for a very long time, and I’m enjoying getting to know myself without feeling the need to be of service to a relationship.”
If you want to pre-order a copy of the Spring 2026 issue with Long’s interview and a cover featuring Karol G, visit here.
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