Where Nia Long Stands With Ex Ime Udoka 3 Years After Cheating Scandal

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Nia Long is focusing on her future.

Three years after actress Nia Long ended her relationship with basketball coach Ime Udoka following his infidelity, she’s spoken about how they’ve been co-parenting their child together.

Nia, who has a 13-year-old son named Kez with her ex-fiancé, Ime, recently told *The Cut* that the three of them took a trip together this summer. She said they all enjoyed themselves and she did a lot of walking! More importantly, she described the trip as a positive step forward, noting that they’ve reached a place of peace and understanding after a very public separation.

At 54, and also a mother to 24-year-old Massai from a previous relationship, she prioritized a healthy co-parenting dynamic with her ex, even after they split up.

She said they have a lot of respect for one another. She also believes the best thing you can do for your children is to work through your own past hurts.

She’s made it clear her private life is private, but she recognizes people are curious about her relationship with Ime, who is now the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

I’m on good terms with the coach,” she said. “I’m really hoping he wins – he’s earned it, he’s very talented. More importantly, a win would allow us to focus on what matters most: spending time with our son and making him our priority.

Honestly, hearing her say that just… it felt so right. She admitted things aren’t perfect, that there’s still work to do, but she’s *done* letting the past weigh her down. It’s like she finally realized that holding onto all that negativity doesn’t just hurt *her*, it poisons everything – her kids, her whole life. I just feel so relieved she’s choosing happiness and peace now. It’s amazing to see her prioritizing that!

The actress from *Big Momma’s House*—who broke up with Ime after 12 years as a couple—explained how her priorities changed after the split.

She felt a sense of accomplishment. “I think we both feel good about being able to do this every year,” she said, referring to a tradition she and her partner share as their son, Kez, gets older. “It’s a way to cherish these last few years while he’s still in school, before he heads off to college. We’ll both be there, watching him graduate.”

Nia and Ime, who was replaced by current Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla after reports of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and a violation of team rules, have been working to improve their relationship. Despite this, Nia isn’t afraid to have tough talks with her children.

She explained that she often talks about her children because they are the center of her world and mean everything to her. She admitted she isn’t perfect and has made mistakes, but she’s a mother who has always been real and open with her kids, even during difficult times. She embraces who she is as a parent, flaws and all.

As a lifestyle expert, I always tell parents that finding the right balance is key when raising kids. It’s about shielding them from things they’re not ready for, but *never* hiding the truth. I believe in protecting their innocence while still letting them understand what’s really going on around them – it builds trust and resilience.

After the Rockets named him head coach in 2023, Ime expressed regret for his past behavior.

He stated that he’d already issued an apology months prior, acknowledging the difficult situation he created for others, and he reaffirmed that apology. He added that he now feels even more regretful about the situation.

I accepted responsibility for my actions and served the suspension without complaint. The Celtics had to make a decision, and they did, but for me, it was about owning up to my mistake and dealing with the consequences. I had to take full responsibility, plain and simple.

To see celebs who are friendly exes, keep reading.

They are definitely not getting back together. However, with all the recent interactions – birthday celebrations, affectionate hugs, and even playfully acting out a romantic scene in a virtual performance of *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* – it feels like they’re just teasing everyone who hoped they’d reconcile.

Sarah proved she’s incredibly confident – and maybe a little mischievous – when she appeared on her ex-husband Jimmy’s talk show. She was there to promote her new series, *I Love You, America*, and playfully teased him about his wife, Molly Kimmel, describing her as “cute,” “bright,” and “funny.” Sarah joked, “It’s not fair! She gets the updated, more aware Jimmy. I only got the ‘Man Show’ Jimmy.”

 

Honestly, some people seemed more upset about this breakup than the people who were actually in the relationship! When Anna—who is now married to Michael Barrett—found out Chris Pratt was getting married to Katherine Schwarzenegger in 2019, she surprisingly offered to perform the ceremony. She even sent a gift when their daughter, Lyla, was born in August 2020. Everyone was happy for Anna’s son, Jack, to have a new little sister, and a source told us at the time that Anna was genuinely supportive of the new family.

It could have easily fallen apart after their difficult breakup. But four years later, the former couple—who star on HGTV—are thriving in two areas: raising their children, Taylor and Brayden, and successfully renovating fixer-uppers into beautiful homes.

Lenny Kravitz and his ex-wife, actress Zoë Kravitz’s mother, describe their relationship as a close, familial bond – what he called being “best friends” in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Despite divorcing and her later marriage to Jason Momoa (from whom she separated in 2020), they maintain a happy and supportive connection. As Lenny put it, it’s a wonderful example of how things can work out positively, even after a relationship ends.

Since announcing their split in 2020, the *Dancing With the Stars* co-host and her ex-husband, a former hockey player, have consistently shown they remain friendly.

When Brooks announced he was getting married to Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir in December 2024, Julianne shared her excitement online. She posted on Instagram, wishing the couple a lifetime filled with love, happiness, and fun adventures as they start their new life together.

The dancer, her ex-husband, and his pregnant fiancée spent a day together at the lake. She shared a photo of the four of them, calling them “three cuties” and describing it as a special day.

After separating in 2015, the parents of Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel have successfully co-parented, managing to share vacations, holidays, and even publicly praise each other. In a 2016 interview with TopMob News, Ben called his ex-partner “an amazing mother.”

Nina and Ian dated for three years before breaking up in 2013, but they stayed friends. The following year, Nina began dating Nikki Reed and they quickly got married. As a result, Nina became friends with Nikki, who is known for her role in the *Twilight* films.

The couple ended their five-year relationship in July 2016. The singer later shared on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show the following October that she remained very close to her ex, saying he had been both a lover and a friend for a long time.

“We love each other,” she said. “That’s it.”

Even years after *The Office* ended in 2013, the chemistry between its stars still makes fans root for them as a couple, and Mindy Kaling understands why. In a 2019 interview with *Good Housekeeping*, she admitted that if she were a viewer, she’d be hoping they’d get together, especially since she chose him to be a godfather to her children. She explained that their relationship has evolved beyond just friendship – he’s become a true part of her family.

After their divorce was finalized in 2011, the former couple easily continued to raise their son, Bronx. The Fall Out Boy singer has praised his ex-wife, calling her a fantastic mother.

Oh my gosh, so he’s *really* moving on from her? I can’t believe he’s admitting they’re still so close! He keeps saying they’re just “really friendly” and have a “good relationship.” Like, seriously? It’s killing me! I need details! Is this a secret code for something more? I’m obsessed with knowing what’s going on between them, even if it’s painful!

Jennifer and her *Dexter* co-star first connected on the set of the show in 2006, and their relationship became romantic two years later. Even after their divorce in 2011, Jennifer later shared that they maintained a loving and respectful relationship.

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore are famously friendly exes, and their daughters – Rumer, Tallulah, and Scout – have helped them maintain that bond. So, it wasn’t surprising when they decided to spend the COVID-19 lockdown together in Idaho. Sounds like they even had some fun, maybe with a dance party!

Even four years after their 2014 divorce, Jennifer Lopez continued to praise her ex-husband, the father of her twins, Max and Emme. In a 2018 interview on *Sunday Today*, she explained that Marc Anthony had boosted her confidence during their marriage. He consistently told her she was a talented singer and encouraged her not to let anyone diminish that, which she greatly appreciated, considering him one of the greatest singers ever.

Despite any personal struggles he might be facing, the actress will always support her ex-husband and former *Scream* colleague. She described their divorce, eight years after it finalized in 2010, as being relatively amicable, telling Bear Grylls on *Running Wild*, “It’s definitely one of the better divorces.” They’ve successfully co-parented their daughter, Coco, and maintain a positive relationship.

Although their relationship ended in 2007, they still had great chemistry on screen when they starred together in the 2011 film *Bad Teacher*.

Okay, so things were *really* hard for a while after their 2013 split, but honestly, it’s amazing to see how far they’ve come! I was SO thrilled to read that they’re at the point where they can go on vacation together! He even said he *likes* her husband, Dave Abrams – can you believe it?! Apparently, they all went to Cancun in 2017, with Dave, and Peter’s now-fiancée, Lily Anne Harrison, and their adorable daughters, Luca, Lola, and Fiona. It just melts my heart! He said people come into your life for a reason and relationships *evolve*, and even though they aren’t together anymore, you can still care deeply for someone. It’s just…beautiful, honestly. They’re handling things so maturely, and I’m living for it!

Even though they unexpectedly separated in September 2012, the couple worked hard to appear supportive of each other for the sake of their children. In a 2014 interview with Howard Stern, she explained that she and Will remained close friends and were successfully co-parenting. She didn’t view their ten-year marriage as a failure, believing that all relationships face challenges.

The Grammy-winning artist and her ex-husband, who officially divorced in January 2024, have maintained a friendly relationship while raising their son, Hayes. They even live only five minutes away from each other, making it easy to share parenting responsibilities.

“Our stops are really easy,” Maren told The Zoe Report in May 2025, “and we’ll have family dinners.”

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2025-10-16 21:49