In 1992, her brother Lancelot Owens Jr. was killed in a motorcycle accident. When I told my dad, he said nothing," she revealed to Essence. I think it's important to create projects as an actor rather than wait for them. Get it together, you know," she told Larry King onCNN. There are times you can't really see or even feel how sweet life can be. Latifah has credited her mom for ensuring her children thrived despite the grueling situation. Who is Queen Latifah's father? ", She continued, "I've watched my mom say the right things to students to change their outlook and change their direction, you know? They understood, and when those things inevitably happened in school, they were OK with it. The video for her hit single "U.N.I.T.Y." Dana Elaine Owens has won numerous lifetime achievements and Grammy awards. Additionally, as a Black woman, she has faced immense prejudice, but uses her platform as a means to educate and uplift others. Every time I hail a cab in New York, and they pass me by and pick up the white person, then I get a dose of it. Queen Latifah Says Racism Is Still Alive and Kicking at VH1 Hip Hop Honors. Baby and his brother Slimfounded Cash Money in 1992. "Dana never took no mess always strong-minded, strong-willed, and she could pack a punch," he joked. I'm fine with checking myself when I'm not doing the right thing. It was also during this time that her friend and would-be collaborator, Tupac Shakur, was murdered. "I had to, you know, let them know what I [had] gone through, so that they could understand maybe more of my mindset, and freed myself of that burden.". In an interview with The Virginian-Pilot, Latifah largely blamed the dissolution of her parents' marriage on Vietnam. She was nicknamed Latifah (Arabic for delicate and sensitive) by a cousin while she was in her teens. No ones close to them. "Y'all remember that song, right? 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Reflecting on everything her mother gave her, she told People, "When everything was too heavy for me to bear, I would disappear and call my mother," who shared her "calmness" with Latifah on those calls. "If that's the price I had to pay, I didn't want it.". "I'm not dependent on the world telling me who I am," said the actress. This is the first sighting of the Dubai princess since videos were released by BBC Panorama of her claiming that she was being held hostage against her will Queen Latifah Honors Late Brother's Birthday 30 Years After His Death: 'I Love You to Infinity' Peter Billingsley Honors His 'Kind and Supportive' 'Christmas Story' Mom Much Love, Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah), forever Rita Owens' daughter.". Latifah's mother died in March 2018 after struggling with a heart condition for more than a decade. Queen Latifah Credits Her Parents for Raising Her Without "I did it a couple times to see if I could," she admitted to The New York Times. Sadly, she witnessed her cousin being abused for years by her cousin's partner. Thank you for your kindness, support and respect for our privacy at this time., Latifah signed off on the statement, writing, Much Love, Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah), forever Rita Owens daughter.. | I'm talking about lower-income families," she told Interviewmagazine. Honestly, Queen Latifah is very much alive and healthy. But the image, obtained by Sky News, appears to have been taken at the mall of the Emirates in Dubai at some time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the media outlet said. I thought they were so big," she told Us Weekly (via Mary Ellen Mark). Paras Griffin/Getty Queen Latifah and her father, Lancelot Owens, Sr. She continued, "I want to thank BET for creating an outlet for beautiful blackness to thrive, to shine. As is common with survivors of child sexual abuse, Latifah was scared to tell her parents about what happened and thus kept it a secret until adulthood. The second child of Lance and Rita Owens, Latifah is best known for her social The actress and musician discussed Wednesday her mothers battle with interstitial lung disease, a This suggests that the image was taken since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Sky News said. Latifah doesn't speak about the tragic incident often, but in 2019 she opened up to Angie Martinez on "Untold Stories of Hip Hop" forWEtv. WebShe is the daughter of Rita (Bray), a teacher, and Lancelot Owens Sr. She came from a police family-both her father and her older brother were cops-which would later influence her ", After 14 years of ill health, Queen Latifah's mother died in 2018, aged 69. As ABC News highlights, Latifah's music had always been pivotal in challenging misogyny and standing up for Black lives. Honey, that's just not gonna happen. I'd like to have and adopt [children]. According to AARP, Latifah first took on caregiver duties in 2004, after her mom fell ill while working as a school teacher. I don't think I'm alienating friends or losing friends. Cynthia Silva is an associate producer for NBC News Now. She taught me that it's more to acting than just being in front of the camera," she said. He was just 23. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Lancelot Owens Sr worked as a cop, a police tactical officer. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider "She was the first thing to inspire me. Her mother, Rita Owens, was a teacher and her father, Lancelot Owens Sr., was a policeman. This is the first sighting of her since the release of videos in which she claimed her family was holding her hostage. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Also I think CEOs who kept these artists alive to be great [and] showed them how to keep hip hop alive should be saluted in a major way. Latifah explained to the organization that she wanted to make her mother, who had a "defibrillator implanted in her chest," as comfortable as possible, cooking her healthy meals and managing her medication. When I was able to do that, I felt free. Had not done any musical theater since high school prior to her role as Matron "Mama" Morton in. On Sunday, the rapper and actress was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the 2021 BET Awards, an embodiment of the show's theme, "Year of the Black Woman." As was sadly common for Vietnam veterans, Lancelot Owens struggled with mental health issues and substance misuse following his experiences in the war. These are the tragic details about Queen Latifah. [on being considered a role model] There's no way I can represent for everyone. She still wears the motorcycle key around her neck. ", she wrote in a Tweet that seems especially chilling in light of the accusations. Last month, a UN spokesperson had said that the UAEhad failed to provide compelling proof that she was still alive. "Then when I was 18 or 19, I dated somebody who just loved my body down, you know. The men stole Latifah's car. The Grammy-winning rapper, actress, and producer opens Queen Latifah and her father, Lancelot Owens, Sr. A Look Back at Queen Latifah's Extraordinary Career, Diddy Pays Tribute to Late Kim Porter While Accepting 2022 BET Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, BET Awards 2022 Nominations Doja Cat, Ari Lennox and Drake Lead the List, Kanye West Makes Surprise Appearance at Rolling Loud After Dropping Out of Headlining Gig, BET Awards 2022: Everything to Know About 'Culture's Biggest Night', Kanye West Stuns BET Awards 2022 Crowd with Surprise Appearance to Honor Friend Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Taraji P. Henson to Host 2022 BET Awards Says She Feels 'Honored' to Celebrate 'Black Excellence'. I love being able to take an idea and sell it to a studio. In addition to empowering women and giving them a voice through her music, Queen Latifah launched the Queen Collective with Tribeca Film Festival and Proctor & Gamble. Latifah wore that key in every episode of her sitcom "Living Single", and reportedly still keeps it with her today. ", "I learned early that I had to work harder than the white kids and harder than the boys,"Queen Latifah told The New York Times. Thank you, my sisters y'all my sisters in the name of rap. The movie also stars Dennis Quaid, Katharine McPhee, Sam Trammell, Christian Convery and Madalen Mills. It was a very vulnerable time going from being insecure about my body and who I am to becoming comfortable with me. And sometimes, it got out of control. Under her birth name, Dana Owens, Queen Latifah and her longtime personal trainer. Follow NBCBLK on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my mother, Rita Owens passed away today," she told People. No ones even close to Cash Money, I dont think. According to The New York Times, Latifah was in her BMW with her then-boyfriend and bodyguard, Sean, and her close friend, Lynn, when two armed men approached the vehicle and shot Sean in the stomach, critically wounding him. Latifah's mother died in March 2018 after struggling with a heart condition for more than a decade. Earlier this year, the Equalizer star opened up on the PEOPLE Every Day podcast to discuss the ways her parents beloved school teacher Rita Owens, and police tactical officer Lancelot Owens, Sr. raised her to be as strong as she is today, preparing her to become a trailblazer for Black culture. At VH1's Hip Hop Honors, she elaborated on this. Queen Latifah (born Dana Elaine Owens, on March 18, 1970) is an American rapper, actress, and singer. "I'm gonna get off this stage, but I thank you so much for all of you, the fans for supporting every crazy-ass thing I've done through the years. She found time to get a college degree, she became an art teacher, and she According to NPR, 40% of those sent to fight in Vietnam were African-American, and racial discrimination was rife. The 15-minute tribute at L.A.s Crypto.com Arena included performances from pioneers LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot, Run DMC, and more. It kind of came out of nowhere." She told the audience at a 'Meet the Filmmaker' event at the Apple Store in SoHo, New York City, that her ideal first project as a director would either be a science-fiction film or a project based on a comic book (May 11, 2010). "I was not actually impaired, but I was over the legal limit. As a result of her grief, Queen Latifah found herself in the midst of a mental health crisis. You get only one shot at this body, so take care of it, Latifah wrote. Good Housekeeping notes that Sean "nearly died in her arms." Discipline will be the hard part. Additionally, Latifah said that she shares an otherworldly bond with her mom, believing that "She still talks to me. It kind of came out of nowhere, it felt.. IE 11 is not supported. Everyone was magnetized by him. Queen's first album was their self-titled album, "Queen.". Older brother Lance Owens, who was a police officer, died in an accident on the motorcycle Latifah had bought for him as a present. ET on BET. ", As she explained to The New York Times, being raised in the projects wasn't all bad, but growing up in such an environment could potentially have drawn her down the wrong path. It would also be the first time that Princess Latifa has been seen in public since late 2018, The Guardian said. On her eponymous show, Queen Latifah opened up about a very personal experience with domestic violence. Latifah, whose mother died in 2018 at 69, said her performance was a way to honor her mother, a former schoolteacher. She can also be seen with the key to his motorcycle around her neck. ", In 2002, Latifah was arrested for "misdemeanor reckless driving," to which she pleaded no contest and avoided a DUI charge, per MTV. The movie also stars Dennis Quaid, Katharine McPhee, Sam Trammell, Christian Convery and Madalen Mills. There were concerns in the international community that Princess Latifa was dead, a claim her family has repeatedly refuted. Make sure you shape it back. Sarah Michaud is the senior news editor of PEOPLE's music vertical. )'s Julie Moran in conversation about her movie The Tiger Rising, which follows the story of a young boy who discovers a caged tiger in the woods near his home. Let me just say that I want to thank God because God designed this whole thing to be this way," an emotional Latifah, 51, began her acceptance speech. Queen Latifah has said "racism is still alive and kicking" while speaking at VH1's Hip Hop Honours. She was gentle, but strong, sweet, but sassy, worldly but pragmatic, a woman of great faith and certainly the love of my life., She had struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over. Get the Kleenex ready, because the Queen of Rap has had anything but a royal road to success. Discussing the illness that took her mom's life, she explained to"Today" (via NBC News) that scleroderma was "something that affected my mom who was otherwise a totally healthy person. And I felt guilty because I was angry at God," she told Good Housekeeping of the devastating loss. According to TMZ, Latifah sought the help of "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan, bringing her 2 pups to his psychology class. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Cash Money cofounderBirdman says people need toput some respectonthe contributionof CEOs to the culture in light ofthe 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Things will flicker.". Official Sites. A year later, her debut long-player, "All Hail the Queen," enjoyed favored reviews: an old, wise head was evident on the top of her young shoulders. "This is a great American tragedy," she told the Spokesman-Review. "Your Heart has always been So Big," she wrote as part of a touching tribute. "I experience racism every day," she told The New York Times. I know she would want to always encourage children to be the best that they can. "I'm grateful that we're giving Queen Latifah her flowers while she's still alive. If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services. Although Latifah and Winki remained close to their father, it was Rita who shouldered the responsibility for raising them. Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens, was raised in the projects of New Jersey, and her family struggled to make ends meet. Latifah opened up about her mothers struggle with heart failure, which is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body, in a blog for HuffPost two years ago. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Is one of 27 actresses to have received an Academy Award nomination for their performance in a musical; hers being, As a fledgling rapper in 1987, she was first introduced by 16-year-old. Latifah came from a family of "fighters," she noted to Larry King onCNN. Speaking with People, Latifah opened up about the difficulties of being a caregiver, but also praised her mom's resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity: "I watched her come through so many things, ups and downs, hospitalizations and bounce back and still maintain this sense of humor, and love and drive and will." 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