Queen Latifah Headshot

Queen Latifah

Get Queen Latifah Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Queen Latifah BIO

Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally as Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, actress, and singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1989 and released her debut album All Hail the Queen on November 28, 1989, featuring the hit single "Ladies First". Nature of a Sista' (1991) was her second and final album with Tommy Boy Records.

Latifah starred as Khadijah James on the Fox sitcom Living Single from 1993 to 1998. Her third album, Black Reign (1993), became the first album by a solo female rapper to receive a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and spawned the single "U.N.I.T.Y.", which was influential in raising awareness of violence against women and the objectification of Black female sexuality. The track reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won a Grammy Award. She then starred in the lead role of Set It Off (1996) and released her fourth album, Order in the Court, on June 16, 1998, with Motown Records. Latifah garnered acclaim with her role of Matron "Mama" Morton in the musical film Chicago (2002), receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Latifah released her fifth album The Dana Owens Album in 2004. In 2007 and 2009, she released two more studio albums – Trav'lin' Light and Persona. She created the daytime talk show The Queen Latifah Show, which ran from 1999 to 2001, and again from 2013 to 2015, in syndication. She has appeared in a number of films, such as Bringing Down the House (2003), Taxi (2004), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2005), Beauty Shop (2005), Last Holiday (2006), Hairspray (2007), Joyful Noise (2012), 22 Jump Street (2014) and Girls Trip (2017) and provided voice work in the Ice Age film series. Latifah received critical acclaim for her portrayal of blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO film Bessie (2015), which she co-produced, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie. From 2016 to 2019, she starred as Carlotta Brown in the musical drama series Star. In 2020, she portrayed Hattie McDaniel in the miniseries Hollywood. Since 2021, she has held the lead role on CBS' revival of the action drama The Equalizer.

Noted for her work in music, film and television, Latifah has earned a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and has been nominated for an Academy Award. In 2006, she became the first hip hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Queen Latifah Photos

Queen Latifah STAGE CREDITS

[New York]
NBC Live Television Production, 2015
The Wiz


Queen Latifah Videos

Queen Latifah News


Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night of THE OUTSIDERS


Broadway welcomed another new musical in The Outsiders, which is now officially open at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there for the big day and you can check out photos from the VIP theatre arrivals here.

Video: Lea Michele, Ben Platt, Lizzo, and More Perform at Joe Biden Fundraiser


Watch Lea Michele, Ben Platt, Lizzo, and more perform at the Joe Biden Fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, March 28th!

Tory Kittles, Brittany Inge & Stori Ayers to Star in HOME on Broadway


Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed the complete cast for the new production of Home by Samm-Art Williams, not seen on Broadway in more than 40 years, directed by Kenny Leon. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

THE LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS World Premiere & More Set for Bucks County Playhouse 2024 Season


Bucks County Playhouse has unveiled its 2024 subscription season. Featuring four productions in the historic playhouse, the Playhouse’s 85th season kicks off in May. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Matthew Jordan Smith Honors The Late Aretha Franklin With New Coffee Table Book


Celebrity photographer Matthew Jordan Smith releases ARETHA COOL: THE INTIMATE PORTRAITS, a coffee table book honoring Aretha Franklin. The 256-page book showcases her musical genius and cultural influence from 2005 to 2018. The photographs illustrate the musical genius of The Queen of Soul.

Lea Michele, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo & More to Perform at Joe Biden Fundraiser


A fundraising event is set to be held this Thursday, March 28 at Radio City Music Hall, for President Joe Biden's campaign. It was previously announced that Biden will be joined by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and now the lineup of performers has been revealed.

THE COLOR PURPLE, Colman Domingo, and More Take Home NAACP Image Awards - Full List of Winners!


The 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards were announced during a ceremony on Saturday, March 16th. See the full list of winners here!

Charlotte Symphony 2024 Summer Pops Programs and Dates Announced


Find out the latest news about the 2024 Summer Pops concert dates. Get the details on what to expect from this highly anticipated musical event.

Photos: Dawn Derow & Peter Calo Bring A Troubadour Tribute To Cafe Centro


For 90 minutes last night Cafe Centro Cabaret in West Palm Beach Florida was transformed into the world-famous Troubadour nightclub in West Hollywood California as award winning vocalist Dawn Derow and guitarist Peter Calo  performed a powerful new show. Check out photos here!

Los Angeles Philharmonic Reveals 2024 Hollywood Bowl Summer Season


The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the 2024 Hollywood Bowl summer season with performances at the world-renowned amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills from June to September 2024. Learn more about the lineup here!

BECOMING A MAN, PRETTY WOMAN & More Lead Boston's February 2024 Theater Top Picks


Boston is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Check out the top picks for February 2024!

Video: Watch DJ D-Nice on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW


DJ D-Nice discusses his friendship with Queen Latifah, virtual parties with Michelle Obama during the pandemic, and accidentally calling Jennifer Hudson the wrong name. Check out the interview video here!

Noah J. Ricketts, Samantha Pauly, Eric Anderson, and More Join the Cast of THE GREAT GATSBY on Broadway


Additional principal casting has been revealed for the Broadway premiere of the acclaimed new musical The Great Gatsby, opening on Broadway this spring. Find out who is joining the cast here!

Kelli Baker to Hit the Road, Performing in NYC, Nashville & More


Kelli Baker returns to the road with a star-studded band after her trailer was stolen and recovered in North Carolina. See her powerful blues performances in cities like NYC, Pittsburgh, and Nashville.

THE COLOR PURPLE Tops NAACP Image Award Nominations - Full List of Nominees!


The NAACP Image Award Nominations have been announced, with The Color Purple leading with a total of 16 nominations, with nods for Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and more. Check out the full list of nominations now!

Broadway Shows Based on the Top 1000 Highest-Grossing Films


Of all the films on IMDB's list of the 1000 highest-grossing movies of all time, 31 have been adapted into Broadway musicals. Check out a guide to each those musicals below, along with musicals that are in development or ones that have not yet made their way to Broadway.

Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada Will Lead THE GREAT GATSBY Musical on Broadway This Spring


BroadwayWorld has learned that the musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby is headed to Broadway this year. The production, led by Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada, had its pre-Broadway engagement at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2023.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 29th, 2023


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 29, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Videos: Watch Tituss Burgess, Lin-Manuel Miranda & More Perform at the Kennedy Center Honors


This year's honorees include Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, and Dionne Warwick. Watch videos of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana DeBose, Tituss Burgess, Dove Cameron, Marc Shaiman, Cynthia Erivo, Christine Baranski, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Gladys Knight now!

Video: The Best of Broadway at the Kennedy Center Honors


The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors are coming up and we are celebrating the special occasion with some of our favorite videos of past Broadway performances. Check out the full list!

Get Queen Latifah Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos