Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP; Universal Pictures
Niecy Nash-Betts has been gracing TVs and big screens since the '90s, running the gamut from comedic masterclasses to award-winning dramatic performances, but there's one role that she let slip away.
"I don't regret turning anything down, I don't think," Nash-Betts told Business Insider's Libby Torres for the latest installment of our "Role Play" interview series. "But I did turn down, what was the one with all the girls that went to New Orleans? 'Girls Trip?'"
The 2017 movie starred Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish as four friends who head to Louisiana for the annual Essence Festival.
The R-rated comedy about female friendship was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $140 million worldwide. Haddish's performance as Dina also marked her breakthrough in Hollywood.
In retrospect, though, Nash-Betts has no regrets about her decision.
"I turned down 'Girls Trip,' and they ended up booking Tiffany Haddish and her career completely took off," she said. "And I think it was one of the biggest blessings for her. Now everybody can have a turn."
Netflix
Despite turning down a part in "Girls Trip," Nash-Betts' career has been thriving.
In addition to guest-starring on shows like "Fresh off the Boat" and "Family Guy," the actor also had roles on Netflix's "Never Have I Ever," TNT's "Claws," and FX's "Mrs. America." Nash-Betts reprised her role as Raineesha Williams on the "Reno 911!" revival and TV movies. She also starred on "The Rookie" and its spin-off series "The Rookie: Feds."
Nash-Betts recently earned her first-ever Primetime Emmy Award for her performance as Glenda Cleveland on Ryan Murphy's "Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" and currently stars as Marion Wilkerson in Ava Duvernay's "Origin."
