Nia Long & Taraji P. Henson “Empire” Beef Sparked Over Below Belt Joke

Hollywood actresses Nia Long and Taraji P. Henson‘s rumored “Empire” feud began over a dicey joke. New reports claim the cast members went at each other following a period comment.

According to fresh gossip buzz, Taraji drew blood first by trying to calm Long down with a light-hearted joke.

Production sources tell TMZ … Nia showed up late shortly after beginning her stint on the show, prompting one of the male actors to joke, “Damn, why are you on black people time?” We’re told that sent Nia into a rage … chewing the guy out. The actor told her it was just a joke but she continued berating him … and that’s when Taraji fired back — “What are you, on your period? Is it that time, girlfriend?” Things got super heated … and it set the tone for a relationship that was barely civil. (TMZ)

Earlier this week, gossip developed over Taraji and Nia having on-set issues with one another.

Multiple production sources tell TMZ, Nia was extremely rude to the people in hair, makeup and wardrobe — something Nia’s people strongly deny — which pissed Taraji off something fierce. We’re told it got to the point they stopped speaking to each other when they were on set. Our sources say it was next to impossible to film the scenes they did together, and that’s why they had actually blocked out how to shoot those scenes separately. (TMZ)

In January, “Empire” received the green light for a fourth season renewal.

Empire was renewed for a fourth season by Fox, the network announced at the 2017 Winter TCA Press Tour on Wednesday. In December, Empire’s fall finale, which aired an hour earlier at 8 p.m. to help launch co-creator Lee Daniels’ new show Star, garnered 7.57 million viewers. The decision to renew the musical drama was surely a no-brainer for Fox, as it’s TV’s no. 1 broadcast drama, a title its held for the last three seasons in the all-important adults 18-49 demo. (E! News)

A few months ago, “Empire” actress Serayah spoke to SOHH about how long she sees their show going.

“I definitely see “Empire” having a great run but ending on a good note. We started off as a pilot for a new show and the success that we all wanted and dreamt of forever, we all got to share that together. I feel like the end will come and be very great and everyone will be very happy with it and understand it. But I don’t see it being a “Law & Order” type of thing where it lasts that, that, that long. It will last just enough for our fans and our cast.” (SOHH)