Drew Barrymore Responds To The Reason Nia Long Lost Out On 'Charlie's Angel's' Role

Nia Long has been very vocal in the reasons she was not cast in the role of Alex Munday for Charlie’s Angels.

The 52-year-old actress revealed that she had been told that she was too old, and too sophisticated looking next to Drew Barrymore.

While Nia holds no grudges about missing the part, and went on to star in Big Momma’s House, she and Drew talked about the reasons she was passed over and how it’s something Drew wouldn’t have stood for if she knew.

Keep reading to find out more…

Nia made an appearance on Drew‘s show last week, where she opened up about the controversy.

Drew made it a point to speak about how there was no diversity in the original series with the Angels, and in her pitch, it was something she and producing partner Nancy Juvonen wanted in the movie.

“I mean there was no diversity there. Let’s call that out, and we felt the exact opposite and this was in 1999 when those conversations were not being had and it was really her and I who championed the fact that like, okay we love our angels so far [myself and Cameron Diaz] but now what?” Drew mused. “When we even went in to present ourselves as producers for the film, all the pitches for the combination of the trio all had diversity in it, and that was just something that felt right in our guts at the time.”

She continued, admitting it was “bewildering to me that someone would say those things. First of all Nan and I would never talk about eyebrows. That’s not what women would do”

Nia then said that she was “101% positive that it came from a studio exec that has no concept in understanding the importance of diversity, let alone what you stand for because you’ve been in this game Drew for a very long time. And I know your heart and I see your show and I know who you are so this was never anything I took personal at all.”

“But I’m glad we’re having the conversation because black women and white women, women period, we need to talk, we need to stay in communication because at the end of the day it’s hard for all women in this industry,” she went on. “I don’t care who you are. It’s harder for us, there’s less roles, there’s less diversity but if we don’t talk to each other we can next have a show and create something with each other. We have to keep the dialogue going so I appreciate you being brave enough to, with me, have this conversation.”

“I was mortified when I heard because Nan and I would never speak like that and as far as age that’s the stupidest thing because you’re actually the same exact age as Lucy Liu so how is that possible?” Drew added. “I grew up in an industry where I was like, ‘I will not fall prey to aging and all that B.S.,’ like that will never be my thing I’ve watched too many people suckle off the fountain of youth and think they were less worthy if they looked older…”

Watch the interview below: