Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970),[1] better
known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, actress
and singer. Queen Latifah's work in music, film and television has
earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two
Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an
Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination.
Queen Latifah was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter
of Rita (née Bray), a schoolteacher who worked at Irvington
High School, and Lancelot Owens, Sr., a police officer.[2][3][4]
Her parents divorced when Latifah was ten.[4] Latifah was raised
in the Baptist church[5] and attended Catholic school in Newark,
New Jersey.[6][7] Her stage name, Latifah (?????), meaning "delicate" and "very
kind" in Arabic, was given to her by her cousin when she was
eight.[4] Always a tall girl, the 5'10" tall Latifah was a power
forward on her high school basketball team.[8][9] She performed the
number "Home" from the musical The Wiz in a high school
play.[10]
Music career
Beginning (1988–1989)
Latifah started beatboxing for the rap group Ladies Fresh. Latifah
was one of the members of the original version of the Flavor Unit,
which, at that time, was a crew of MCs grouped around producer DJ
Mark the 45 King. Mark James aka "DJ Mark the 45 King" made
a demo recording of Queen Latifah's rap Princess of the Posse. He
gave the recording to the host of Yo! MTV Raps Fab 5 Freddy. The
song got the attention of Tommy Boy Music employee Dante Ross, who
signed Latifah and in 1988 issued her first single, "Wrath of
My Madness".
Rapping (1989–2002)
Freddy helped Latifah sign with Tommy Boy Records, which released
Latifah's first album All Hail the Queen in 1989, when she was nineteen.[4]
That year, she appeared as Referee on the UK label Music of Life
album "1989—The Hustlers Convention (live)". In 1998,
Co Produced by Ro Smith, now CEO of Def Ro Inc., she released her
fourth hip-hop album Order in the Court.
Singing (2003–2007)
After Order in the Court, Latifah shifted primarily to singing lyrics
in soul music and jazz standards, which she had used sparingly in
her previous hip-hop-oriented records. In 2004, she released the
soul/jazz standards The Dana Owens Album. On July 11, 2007, Latifah
sang at the famed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as the headlining
act in a live jazz concert. Before a crowd of more than 12,400, she
was backed by a 10-piece live orchestra and three backup vocalists,
The Queen Latifah Orchestra. Latifah performed new arrangements of
standards including "California Dreaming", first made popular
by '60s icons The Mamas & the Papas. Later in 2007, Latifah released
an album entitled Trav'lin' Light. Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Joe Sample,
George Duke, Christian McBride, and Stevie Wonder made guest appearances.[11]
It was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Traditional Pop Vocal
Album" category.[12]
In 2009, Latifah, along with the Jubilation Choir, recorded the
title track on the album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration,
covering the song the Edwin Hawkins Singers made popular in 1969.[13]
Return to hip hop (2008–present)
In 2008, Latifah was asked if she would make another hip-hop album.
She was quoted saying the album was done already and it would be
called "All Hail the Queen II". It was rumored that the
album would be named "The 'L' Word". When asked about the
rumor, she stated it was her attempt to "mess with people's
heads" referring to rumors that she is lesbian".[14] The
song "Cue the Rain" was released as the album's lead single.
She also has a song with Missy Elliott.[15]
On August 6, 2010, the Brazilian press published several notes saying
that Queen Latifah would be with her girlfriend in France.[16][17]
Film and television
Early career (1991–2001)
From 1993-1998, Latifah had a starring role on Living Single, a
Fox sitcom, which gained high ratings among black audiences;[4] she
also wrote and performed its theme music. Her mother Rita played
her mother on-screen.[18] She began her film career in supporting
roles in the 1991 and 1992 films House Party 2, Juice and Jungle
Fever. She had her own talk show, The Queen Latifah Show, from 1999
to 2001. She also had recurring roles during the second season (1991–1992)
of the NBC hit The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She made a guest role
as herself on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper in 1993. Latifah appeared in
the 1996 box-office hit, Set It Off and subsequently had a supporting
role in the Holly Hunter film Living Out Loud (1998).[4] She played
the role of Thelma in the 1999 movie The Bone Collector, alongside
Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
Mainstream success (2002–present)
Although she had already received some critical acclaim, she gained
mainstream success after being cast as Matron "Mama" Morton
in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of the musical Chicago, the
recipient of the Best Picture Oscar.[4] Latifah received an Academy
Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role,
but lost to co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones.[4] Latifah is one of three
hip-hop artists to receive an Academy Award nomination in an acting
category (Best Supporting Actress, Chicago, 2002). The others are
Will Smith (Best Actor, Ali, 2001, and Best Actor, The Pursuit of
Happyness, 2006), and Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, "The
Departed", 2006).
In 2003, she starred with Steve Martin in the film Bringing Down
the House, which was a major success at the box office.[4] She also
recorded a song "Do Your Thing" for the soundtrack. Since
then, she has had both leading and supporting roles in a multitude
of films that received varied critical and box office receptions,
including films such as Scary Movie 3, Barbershop 2: Back in Business,
Taxi, Kung Faux, Beauty Shop, and Hairspray. In early 2006, Latifah
appeared in a romantic comedy/drama entitled Last Holiday.[4] Film
critic Richard Roeper stated that "this is the Queen Latifah
performance I've been waiting for ever since she broke into movies".[19]
Also in 2006, Latifah voiced Ellie, a friendly mammoth, in the animated
film, Ice Age: The Meltdown (her first voice appearance in an animated
film), and also appeared in the drama Stranger Than Fiction.
She has starred in two movie remakes (Taxi and Last Holiday), five
sequels (House Party 2, Scary Movie 3, Barbershop 2: Back in Business,
Ice Age: The Meltdown and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs), one spinoff
(Beauty Shop), two movies based on books (The Bone Collector and
The Secret Life of Bees) and two screen adaptations of musicals (Chicago
and Hairspray).[20] The summer of 2007 brought Latifah triple success
in the big-screen version of the Broadway smash hit Hairspray, in
which she acted, sang, and danced. The film rated highly with critics.
It starred, among others, John Travolta (Grease), Michelle Pfeiffer
(Stardust), Allison Janney (Juno), James Marsden (Enchanted), Christopher
Walken (Catch Me If You Can) and Zac Efron (High School Musical).
Also in 2007, she portrayed an HIV-positive woman in the film Life
Support, a role for which she garnered her first Golden Globe Award,
Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy nomination. For her work, Queen
Latifah received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on January
4, 2006, located at 6915 Hollywood Blvd.
Latifah produced the 2007 film The Perfect Holiday. In addition
to producing the film, Latifah starred alongside Terrence Howard,
Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, Charles Q. Murphy, Jill Marie Jones,
and Faizon Love.[21] In 2008, Latifah appeared in the crime comedy
Mad Money opposite Academy Award-winner Diane Keaton as well as Katie
Holmes and Ted Danson. She appeared on Saturday Night Live on October
4, 2008, as moderator Gwen Ifill impersonator in a comedic sketch
depicting the recent vice-presidential debate.[22] In 2009, Latifah
was a presenter at the 81st Academy Awards, presenting the segment
honoring film professionals who had died during 2008 and singing "I'll
Be Seeing You" during the montage. Latifah spoke at Michael
Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles. She also hosted the 2010
People's Choice Awards. Latifah sang America the Beautiful at Super
Bowl XLIV hosted in Miami, Florida on February 7, 2010 with Carrie
Underwood. Latifah hosted the BET Awards on June 27, 2010 at 8 PM.
Products and endorsements
Latifah is a celebrity spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics, Curvation
ladies underwear, Pizza Hut and Jenny Craig.[23] She represents her
own line of cosmetics for women of color called the CoverGirl Queen
Collection.[24] Latifah has also launched a perfume line called "Queen."
Personal life
Raised in East Orange, New Jersey, she has been a resident of Colts
Neck, New Jersey.[25] Latifah's older brother, Lancelot, Jr., was
killed in 1992 in an accident involving a motorcycle that Latifah
had recently bought him.[4] Latifah still wears the key to the motorcycle
around her neck,[4] which can be seen throughout her performance
in her sitcom Living Single. She also dedicated Black Reign to him.
In 1993, Latifah was the victim of a carjacking, which also resulted
in the shooting of a friend. In 1996, she was arrested and charged
with possession of marijuana and possession of a loaded handgun.[26]
In her 1999 autobiography, Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong
Woman, Latifah discussed how her brother's death led to a bout of
depression and drug abuse, from which she later recovered.
In early 2003, Latifah had breast reduction surgery which downsized
her F size breasts to a double D cup size, as a way to reduce shoulder
and back pain. She also works out with a trainer and kickboxes.[27]
On May 14, 2010, The Advocate, the largest gay and lesbian magazine
in the United States, wrote that Queen Latifah and her personal trainer,
Jeanette Jenkins, purchased a home together in the Hollywood Hills
and placed both of their names on the deed.[28]
Latifah was asked by Maya Angelou, who was unable to attend, to
recite a poem written by Angelou at the memorial service for Michael
Jackson in July 2009.
Discography
Main article: Queen Latifah discography
* 1989: All Hail the Queen
* 1991: Nature of a Sista
* 1993: Black Reign
* 1998: Order in the Court
* 2004: The Dana Owens Album
* 2007: Trav'lin' Light
* 2009: Persona
Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1991 Jungle Fever Lashawn
House Party 2 Zora
1992 Juice Ruffhouse M.C.
1993 My Life Theresa
1996 Set It Off Cleopatra 'Cleo' Sims American Black Film Festival
Award for Best Actress
Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a
Motion Picture
1997 Hoodlum Sulie
1998 Living Out Loud Liz Bailey Nominated — NAACP Image Award
for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Sphere Alice "Teeny" Fletcher
1999 The Bone Collector Thelma Nominated — Black Reel Award
for Theatrical - Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress
in a Motion Picture
Bringing Out the Dead Dispatcher Love
2002 Chicago Matron "Mama" Morton Black Reel Award for
Theatrical - Best Supporting Actress
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in
a Motion Picture
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion
Picture
Nominated — Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance
by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio Dove (English voice)
Brown Sugar Francine Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding
Actress in a Motion Picture
The Country Bears Cha-Cha
2003 Scary Movie 3 Aunt Shaneequa
Bringing Down the House Charlene Morton Producer
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Nominated — BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in
a Box Office Movie
Nominated — Black Reel Award for Film - Best Actress
Nominated — Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie
Actress
2004 Taxi Belle
The Cookout Security Guard (also producer)
Barbershop 2: Back in Business Gina BET Comedy Award for Outstanding
Supporting Actress in a Box Office Movie
2005 Beauty Shop Gina Norris Producer
Nominated — BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress
in a Theatrical Film
Nominated — Black Movie Award for Outstanding Performance by
an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominated — Black Reel Award for Film - Best Actress
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a
Motion Picture
2006 Stranger Than Fiction Penny Escher
Ice Age: The Meltdown Ellie Voice
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated
Movie
Last Holiday Georgia Byrd Nominated — Black Movie Award for
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a
Motion Picture
2007 Hairspray Motormouth Maybelle Broadcast Film Critics Association
Award for Best Cast
Hollywood Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast
Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best
Song
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress
in a Motion Picture
Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance
by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The Perfect Holiday Mrs. Christmas Producer
2008 Mad Money Nina Brewster
What Happens in Vegas... Dr. Twitchell
The Secret Life of Bees August Boatwright Black Reel Award for Best
Actress
Hollywood Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast
Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a
Motion Picture
2009 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Ellie Voice
2010 Valentine's Day Paula Thomas Nominated- Teen Choice Award for
Movie Actress Romantic Comedy (Also for Just Wright)
Just Wright Leslie Wright Producer
Nominated- Teen Choice Award for Movie Actress Romantic Comedy (Also
for Valentine's Day)
2011 The Dilemma Dana
New Year's Eve[29] Paula Thomas
2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift Ellie Voice
Joyful Noise
Television Films
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Mama Flora's Family Diana
2002 Living with the Dead Midge Harmon
2005 The Muppets' Wizard of Oz Aunt Em
2007 Life Support Ana Producer
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television
Film
Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Lead - Drama Series or
Special
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie,
Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female
Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress – Miniseries
or a Movie
Nominated — Prism Award for Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actress – Miniseries
or Television Film
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993-1998 Living Single Khadijah James Main Role
Television guest appearances
Year Title Role Notes
1989 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Dee Dee / Marissa Redman (2 episodes)
2001 Spin City Robin Jones
2004 Eve Simone (1 episode)
The Fairly Oddparents Pam Dromeda
2008 Sweet Blackberry Presents ?
Entourage Herself
2010 30 Rock Regina Bookman