Nia Long is making 41 look fabulous on the cover of Essence magazine, joined by sons Massai (11) and Kez Sunday (8 months)!

The actress, known to many from her The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Soul Food days, opens up about having a baby after 40, co-parenting with ex Massai Z. Dorsey and finding her own sense of freedom!

On the subject of her role as mom of two boys, Nia Long told Essence: “Motherhood is not easy, but it’s natural. I worked hard to have the career I wanted, but I’ve also been deliberate about my personal life. None of this is a mistake.”

On marrying Kez’s father Ime Udoka: “Marriage is not a priority for me…I have never seen a marriage work. I’m not saying I’ll never do it; It’s just not where we are as a family. I’ll be at home with my man, having a perfectly loving time, and I’ll see all these comments on some site about how wrong I am for not being married. I don’t feel less loved or less loving because I’m not married.”

On co-parenting with Massai’s father: “Massai’s dad and I have had the most challenging times, and I wasn’t always sure we wouldn’t end like my mother and father. But we’ve arrived at a place where I can truly say he’s not a baby daddy, he’s my friend, finally. He is an amazing father.”

On having a baby in her forties: “I’m in my forties, post baby and I’m thinner than I’ve been in years. The last step will be letting my hair go natural. That’s when you’ll know I’m free…”

photo: Essence magazine