Queen Latifah

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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.

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


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

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Los Angeles Philharmonic Reveals 2024 Hollywood Bowl Summer Season

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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

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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!

Kennedy Center Honors Will Air Tonight, December 27

Don't miss the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, which will air tonight, Wednesday, December 27, at 8:00PM on CBS, and streaming on Paramount+. Learn more about the event, find out who is performing, and how to tune in, here!

Video: Watch a Kennedy Center Honors Preview With Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tituss Burgess & More

Watch a preview for the 46th Kennedy Center Honors, featuring a new look at the performances from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana DeBose, Tituss Burgess, Dove Cameron, and more. The broadcast will also feature performances from Marc Shaiman, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Platt, Christine Baranski, Chloe Bailey, and more.

Feinstein's to Present Craig A. Meyer - REMEMBER WHEN ROCK WAS YOUNG �" THE ELTON JOHN EXPERIENCE on New Year's Eve

Ring in the New Year at Feinstein’s with the amazing Craig A. Meyer - REMEMBER WHEN ROCK WAS YOUNG – THE ELTON JOHN EXPERIENCE. Enjoy two great shows featuring Meyer's strong vocals and incredible talent.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana DeBose & More Perform in the KENNEDY CENTER HONORS Special

Performers for the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors will include Ariana DeBose, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Marc Shaiman, Dove Cameron, Tituss Burgess, Christine Baranski, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Chloe Bailey, Whoopi Goldberg, Rita Moreno and more. Check out more about the lineup!

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 5th, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 5, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

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