<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources . Please help by adding reliable sources . Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately . Find sources: "Nia Long"--news newspapers books scholar JSTOR (August 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources . Please help by adding reliable sources . Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately . Find sources: "Nia Long"--news newspapers books scholar JSTOR (August 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Long's acting coach was Betty Bridges, better known as the mother of Diff'rent Strokes star Todd Bridges . Her earliest role was in the Disney television movie, The B.R.A.T. Patrol alongside Sean Astin, Tim Thomerson and Brian Keith . Her first notable role on television was a three - year contract role as Kathryn "Kat" Speakes on the soap opera Guiding Light . Long portrayed Kat from 1991 to 1994 . Long played Brandi in Boyz n the Hood . The film excited Long, who was doing her "first real movie role". It helped Long build her confidence as an actress . "It introduced me to the world in a way that it was okay for me to be who I am and still find success," she added . "I didn't have to conform to anything ." From 1994--1995, she played Will Smith's girlfriend and fiancée Beulah "Lisa" Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel - Air . Jada Pinkett Smith was originally supposed to play Lisa, but was too short for the role (opposite a 6'2" Will Smith), thus leaving Nia to take the part . </P> <P> In 2000, Long was offered the role of Alex Munday in Charlie's Angels, but she turned it down, and the role was eventually given to Lucy Liu . In 2003, she joined the cast of the drama Third Watch, where she played NYPD Officer Sasha Monroe, continuing until the series finale in 2005 . In 2005 and 2006, Long appeared on Everwood, and appeared on Boston Legal during its 2006--2007 season . Long also starred in Big Shots from 2007--2008 alongside Michael Vartan and Dylan McDermott . In 2016, Long was cast in a recurring role for the TV series Empire . She acquired the role of Giuliana, a Las Vegas club owner . </P>

Who plays lisa on fresh prince of bel air