Queen Latifah

Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper and actress. 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 - U.N.I.T.Y.



Queen Latifah - Go Head



Early life

She was born and raised in East Orange, 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 (لطيفة), 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" 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]
[edit] Music career
[edit] Beginning (1988–1989)

She 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".
[edit] 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.
[edit] Singing (2003–2007)

After Order in the Court, Latifah shifted primarily to singing 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]
[edit] 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]
[edit] Film and television
[edit] 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.[16] 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.
[edit] Mainstream success (2002–present)
Queen Latifah performing at the “Kids Inaugural: We Are the Future” concert in 2009

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".[17] 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).[18] 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.[19] 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.[20] 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 2010 BET Awards on June 27, 2010.
[edit] Products and endorsements

Latifah is a celebrity spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics, Curvation ladies underwear, Pizza Hut and Jenny Craig.[21] She represents her own line of cosmetics for women of color called the CoverGirl Queen Collection.[22] Latifah has also launched a perfume line called "Queen."
[edit] Personal life

Raised in East Orange, New Jersey, she has been a resident of Colts Neck, New Jersey.[23]

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.
[edit] Family tragedies

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 her 1999 autobiography, Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman, Latifah discussed how her brother's death had led to a bout of depression and drug abuse, from which she later recovered. In 1993, Latifah was the victim of a carjacking, which also resulted in the shooting of a friend.
[edit] Legal issues

In 1996, she was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a loaded handgun.[24]
[edit] Breast reduction surgery

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 back and shoulder pain. She also works out with a trainer and kickboxes.[25]
[edit] Sexual orientation

For years, there has been speculation about Latifah's sexual orientation, as she has never been seen with or spoken about a male partner.[26][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. Some magazines have suggested that because of this, they are living together as partners. [28]
[edit] 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

[edit] Tours

Sugar Water Festival Tour (2005), (2006)

Queen Latifah, Jill Scott & Erykah Badu joined together to create and own the rights to the Sugar Water Festival Tour, LLC. All three performers toured together, while inviting music duo Floetry in 2005 and singer Kelis in 2006 as opening acts. Comedian/actress Mo'Nique served as host for the 2006 Sugar Water Tour.
[edit] Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1991 Jungle Fever Lashawn
House Party 2 Zora
1992 Juice Ruffhouse M.C.
1993 Who's the Man? cameo role
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 Susan Warner
2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift Ellie Voice
Joyful Noise Vi Rose Hill
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)
Whitest Kids You Know Cameo in skit "Sex Robot"
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
References from Wikipedia.com