When Nipsey Hussle was killed on March 31, 2019, the world immediately came together not only to grieve but to support his long-term girlfriend and the mother of his son: Lauren London. Together, the couple welcomed son Kross in 2016, making their family a blended clan of five (London has another son, 14-year-old Kameron, whom she shares with her ex Lil Wayne, and Hussle’s daughter, Emani, is now 14).
Since Hussle’s death, London has for the most part stayed out of the public eye aside from promoting her TV and movie projects, her latest being Netflix’s “You People,” which premiered on Jan. 27. The actor has done only a few interviews over the last four years. In an April 2021 interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” she spoke openly about grief and how important it was to show her children she was easing back into the world. “We can’t stop, you know?” she said. “We do have a purpose, all of us, and it’s important for my sons to see me moving forward with grief, not just curling up in a ball, because I curled up in a ball for a long time.”
In July 2022, London spoke about her life after Hussle’s death in an in-depth interview on the “Angie Martinez IRL” podcast, stating that she’s “so honest” with her sons because “it helps them trust me” and vice versa. “I’m trying my best to help them cultivate how to deal with their emotions as best as I can through therapy. . . . Anything that I do that feeds my soul I share with them, because I feel like I don’t know where they’re going to go with their lives, but as long as they have the tools,” London said.
London also said she hopes to cultivate Hussle’s legacy for their 7-year-old son Kross’s sake, though not at the expense of her own dreams or those of Kross, as Hussle was passionate in life about making sure everyone around him followed their own journey. “So many conversations we had about my own destiny, my own marathon,” London shared. “He would hype me up so much. He would never want me to just get lost in his purpose and miss my mark, whatever that is. Big or small . . . I wouldn’t want that for anybody. I wouldn’t want my kids to be caught up behind me either.”
With legends like their fathers and an empowering role model like their mom, Kameron and Kross have a lot to look up to. Get to know London’s kids a little better ahead.
Jonah Hill and Lauren London don’t actually lock lips in that “You People” kiss scene, according to a costar.
Comedian Andrew Schulz, who played a supporting role as cousin Avi in the Netflix movie, said on an episode of his podcast “The Brilliant Idiots” last week that the kiss was created with CGI.
“There’s a hilarious thing. I don’t even know if I should share this shit, but the final scene, they don’t even kiss,” Schulz said. “It’s CGI. Swear to God.”
“I’m there, I’m watching the wedding and I see them going for the kiss. And their faces stop like this far,” he said, “but in the movie, you can see their faces come close. And then you can see their faces morph a little bit into a fake kiss.”
Netflix did not immediately return a request for comment.
The romantic comedy follows Ezra (Hill) and Amira (London) as they navigate an interracial relationship and the familial culture clashes and societal expectations that come with it. The film was released on Netflix last month to largely negative reviews, including criticism that the romantic leads had no on-screen chemistry.
Welcome to Look Back At It, a monthly column where some of the most iconic Black actresses in Hollywood reminisce and reflect on the roles that made them stars. For this month’s installment, Lauren London breaks down her career—from ATL and This Christmas to her most recent Netflix film, You People.
The first film that made an impression on Lauren London might surprise you. “Funny Girl,” she says, “was a really big movie for me. I watched that growing up and said, ‘I want to act.’” Though she hasn’t starred in a musical of her own (“If I could sing, I absolutely would.”), London has certainly accomplished her acting dream.
Her first feature, which premiered in 2006, was the coming-of-age film ATL, a movie that she describes as completely life-changing. From there, she went on to star in the holiday classic This Christmas, the raunchy teen comedy I Love You, Beth Cooper, and the television dramas The Game and Games People Play. When speaking about acting, London sees it as more than just a job. “If you’re watching me, I don’t take that in vain,” she explains. “Being on someone’s television screen is a responsibility. I want to inspire, encourage, and motivate [my audience].”
Below, London takes us through her most iconic roles to share the lessons she’s learned, memories from set, and the divine friends she’s met along the way.
New New in ATL (2006)
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“This was completely life-changing. ATL was my first film and it was possibly one of my biggest learning lessons. I always attribute this experience to a college experience because I didn’t go to college. All of the things I assume you learn in college about yourself are what I learned on this movie. And I guess it is a little surprising [that the movie is still so popular] because when you do something you don’t really know how it’s gonna be received. You just let it go. But I’m so blessed that I was part of this project and that people still relate to it and love it. This movie is so nostalgic, too. I was only 20 years old. I was a baby. I’m extremely grateful that it’s part of my life’s work.”
Melanie in This Christmas (2007)
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This Christmas (2007) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers
“This might be my favorite movie of mine. I love This Christmas. I learned so much from working with Loretta [Devine] and Regina [King]. This was such a great cast experience. I will say though, it was really hard having to wear that same outfit for a whole month, but it was a lot of fun.”
Cammy in I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
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“The director of this movie, Chris Columbus, directed Home Alone and the first Harry Potter, so working with him was a dream. And I remember it being really, really cold in Vancouver. Shooting a summer movie in the winter was hard. But this movie is very underrated. I forget I did this one, if I’m being honest, so thank you for bringing this back. I gotta watch this one again.”
Sheree in Baggage Claim (2013)
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Baggage Claim Official Trailer #1 (2013) – Paula Patton, Taye Diggs Movie HD
“I made a friend on this movie—Jill Scott. That’s my girl. This was also a fun movie to do. And I got to work with the legendary Paula Patton. Come on now! I love me some Paula.”
Keira in The Game (2013-2015)
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“The Game was a little bit of a challenge because Jay Ellis and I were coming in as newcomers. But this was also interesting because I used to go to Wendy Raquel Robinson’s acting studio when I was younger and I was one of her students. So this was a full-circle moment.”
Ginger in The Perfect Match (2016)
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The Perfect Match Official Trailer #1 (2016) – Donald Faison, Paula Patton Movie HD
“I loved doing this one because I worked with my friends. Cassie and I started out together so we always love coming back and working with each other.”
Vanessa in Games People Play (2019-2021)
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“This was a sweet cast. I got to work with Jackie Long [her co-star in ATL] again. You know, acting is tough because it’s full of rejection, so it is a blessing when you get on a set and you can become family.”
Pam in Without Remorse (2021)
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“Oh my god, girl, you’re taking me back. This was an awesome opportunity. I was very cloudy during this. I went to Germany in the midst of grieving and mourning. I’m very grateful to Michael [B. Jordan, who starred in and produced the film] for reaching out to me about this. I’m so happy I did it. This project was a big blessing and a good, safe way to get back into work.”
Amira in You People (2022)
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You People | feat. Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill | Official Trailer | Netflix
“This one was a beautiful opportunity because I got to witness such masters at their craft. I just watched and took in all of the greatness that was around me. I soaked it all up. Eddie Murphy is a legend, okay? To be that close to such a master at what he does was a blessing. I’m so grateful to Kenya [Barris] for calling me about this and to Jonah Hill who’s a divine friend of mine.”
Juliana Ukiomogbe is the Assistant Editor at ELLE. Her work has previously appeared in Interview, i-D, Teen Vogue, Nylon, and more.
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