Latifahs latest project, Beyond Breathless, a new documentary focused on people affected by interstitial lung disease, features her mother's story. When I got the role of amateur bank robber Cleo Sims in Set It Off, I sat down with my younger siblings and told them, 'Listen, I'm playing a gay character. African American Review. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2013. ^ "Queen Latifah's mother, Rita Owens, has died". ABC News. March 22, 2018. ^ "Monitor". As was sadly common for Vietnam veterans, Lancelot Owens struggled with mental health issues and substance misuse following his experiences in the war. condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body. I know she would want to always encourage children to be the best that they can. 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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Last month, a UN spokesperson had said that the UAEhad failed to provide compelling proof that she was still alive. In 1992, her brother Lancelot Owens Jr. was killed in a motorcycle accident. As far as labels goes, theres no disputing Cash Money is the greatest label ever. Eventually he left the family," she reflected. She played Rita James, mother to Khadijah James, Latifah's character on the '90s sitcom "Living Single." Owens also played Aunt Nettie in two movies Latifah produced "The Cookout" (2004) and TV's "The Cookout 2" (2011). Nobody is. "With 'U.N.I.T.Y.,' Queen Latifah gave women the courage to speak out about the injustices they endured on a daily basis." 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. You can't replace a person, especially someone with a big presence like my brother. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. I think I'd be a great mom, honestly. I don't want to be a supermodel. I know it's going to sound crazy, but I get little signs. Princess Latifa made headlines around the world when the BBC released secretly-recorded videos. Lights will blink. Older brother Lance Owens, who was a police officer, died in an accident on the motorcycle Latifah had bought for him as a present. BET Awards 2022: See the Complete List of Winners! When Rita became ill with heart failure and scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease, Latifah took on caregiver duties. According to AARP, Latifah first took on caregiver duties in 2004, after her mom fell ill while working as a school teacher. It also comes with its own unique set of challenges. I really don't know how to be anyone else, and whenever I try to be anyone else, I fail miserably. All the kind of frivolous things sort of fall to the side because there's something way more important than all that. The Queen (2006), Warrior Queen (2003), Diamond Queen (1953), I figured if I wasn't the best rapper, then I shouldn't completely rely on rap. 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. Lets Go., West Coast rap iconSnoop Doggseconded his viewpoint, writing facts and great work cuz u and slim did that., Birdman showed his appreciation for Snoop, writing fuk with you dog 4life and real gangsta shit.. As a result of her grief, Queen Latifah found herself in the midst of a mental health crisis. Latifah had bought him the motorbike herself. Hopefully, its mountains will be higher than its valleys are deep. | Queen Latifah is opening up about her mothers illness and loss. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. Your classmates might tease you or say negative things about it,' but I'm doing it because I believe I can bring positive attention to the gay African-American community, and I believe that I can do a great job as an actor.' Queen Latifah's decades-long work is getting the recognition it deserves. As Queen Latifah recounted on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," both she and her brother were bullied at school. "Money was tight, and I experimented with stuff that could have taken me right down into the gutter if I'd continued with it." The second child of Lance and Rita Owens, Latifah is best known for her social This was a shock to her and it was a shock to me," she told Good Housekeeping. "If that's the price I had to pay, I didn't want it.". Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Thank you for always protecting me and loving me. 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. Queen (2004), River Queen (2005), The Queen of the Damned (2002), I'm so extremely moved that I don't even know what to say. Additionally, as a Black woman, she has faced immense prejudice, but uses her platform as a means to educate and uplift others. The show stars Queen Latifah as former CIA agent Robyn McCall, who helps those who have not had proper justice to get equal. "I don't care how much or things I have, or Puff has, or Missy has. The actress confirmed her mother's death in a statement to PEOPLE at the time, saying, "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news my mother, Rita Owens passed away today. The Baltimore Sun highlighted Latifah's heroism, as she had hailed a cab and rushed Sean to the hospital, despite her trauma. When we couldn't get played on the radio and other places; we couldn't get our videos played. "I think it's very important that we, especially as Black women, don't hold back about being honest about what we're feeling not just what we're feeling physically, but what we're feeling emotionally. "Vietnam had a lot to do with that, and he was dealing with a drug problem at that time. WebQueen Latifah has lamented the police brutality which has erupted in America in the past week and has said racism is still alive and kicking.. | 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 Was considered for the role of Sharona Fleming in. ", In a "Larry King Live" interview onCNN, she revealed that she was just 5 years old when the abuse occurred. From a young age, Queen Latifah found herself faced with numerous legal troubles. Thank you for your kindness, support and respect for our privacy at this time. "We had just bought a house because I was missing my family from being on the road so much. GLLee90298@yahoo.com, Other Works Anyone that has ever met her knows what a bright light she was on this earth. You always have been. In what would be Williams' final stint on the show, the longtime pals reminisced about old times, with Williams paying a warm tribute to Latifah. ", RELATED: How Queen Latifah Keeps Her Late Mother's Memory Alive: 'She Still Talks to Me'. These are the tragic details about Queen Latifah. "We do not intend to comment further at this stage. (no children). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, Cengage Learning, 2008. As the Virginian-Pilot notes, she was not prosecuted for possession of marijuana though she was fined $810 for driving with no license and carrying a loaded weapon. I had to tune out what the hell everybody else had to say about who I was. Honestly, Queen Latifah is very much alive and healthy. Dana Elaine Owens has won numerous lifetime achievements and Grammy awards. She is a well-respected person, very influential, and a mentor to millions of people worldwide. She has many endorsements and is a celebrity spoke person for Pizza Hut and CoverGirl Cosmetics. As with many African-Americans, Queen Latifah's father, Lancelot Owens, was conscripted to the Vietnam War. "It became my goal to buy my parents houses," Latifah told Good Housekeeping, "and I did.". "Not just for the Black community, for everybody. It was something that affected my mom who was otherwise a totally healthy person, the actress said of her mother who died 2 years ago. Everything to Know About Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Family, From Lil Nas X to Travis Scott: The Fascinating Stories Behind Famous Stage Names, Kanye West Supports His 'Brother' The Game at Los Angeles Concert: 'Our Friendship' Doesn't 'Waver', Lil Nas X Details 'Painful and Strained' History with BET, Says Network Asked If He Worshiped Satan, Queen Latifah 'Practices' Saying No to Jobs Asking Her to Lose Weight in an 'Unhealthy Way', Jack Harlow and Brandy Perform Surprise Live Debut of 'First Class' Remix at BET Awards 2022, Lil Nas X Celebrates His 23rd Birthday with a Special Shoutout to Birthday Twin Jazmine Sullivan, Jennifer Aniston Honors Her Dad John Aniston as He Earns Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award. Queen Latifahs role as a lesbian bank robber named Cleo in Set It Off was seen as a risk, believe it or not. As a teenager, she briefly dealt drugs. She 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 Baby and his brother Slimfounded Cash Money in 1992. Much Love, Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah), forever Rita Owens' daughter.". In 1996, she was arrested on weapon and drug charges, per theLos Angeles Times. She was the first person that I saw in my life that made [success] tangible. This is an award that is long overdue for her. The actor shared that her role was"just like being a parent, like some things really don't matter. Ranked #72 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll. A photo of Princess Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, the daughter of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, appears to show that she is alive, according to Sky News. ", Body negativity unfortunately followed Latifah into adulthood. 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. Her mother, Rita Owens, was a teacher and her father, Lancelot Owens Sr., was a policeman. Queen Latifah was born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey. Read more: Inside the world's first AI-focused university in Abu Dhabi, which opens in January 2021 and will offer all students full scholarships. Actress: Chicago. During a talk at the Tribeca Film Festival (via Variety), Latifah described the hip-hop industry as "misogynistic." Opening up about her troubled past to Larry King onCNN, she explained that her second arrest spurred her to re-evaluate her life. But, in 1995, things took a devastating turn when Latifah and her friends were the victims of a traumatic carjacking. Queen Latifah Says Racism Is Still Alive and Kicking at VH1 Hip Hop Honors. There was BET, that allowed us to be in our fullness and to shine. "She had struggled with a heart condition for many years and her battle is now over," Latifah shared. A further statement will be issued at the appropriate time". Throughout the years, the rapper-turned-actor has endured numerous tragic events. Arrested for carrying a loaded handgun and marijuana on February 3, 1996. https://www.facebook.com/davidlhaigh/videos/894404164655953, NOW WATCH: WATCH: What extreme winter weather from the polar vortex looks like around the world, Inside the world's first AI-focused university in Abu Dhabi, which opens in January 2021 and will offer all students full scholarships. I couldn't believe it myself but her father is Muhammad Ali.suprise suprise.! Queen Latifah is a triple threat: a rapper, actor, and television host, she is a multitalented performer who never shies away from speaking her truth. Regarding the latter charge, she told Us Weekly (viaMary Ellen Mark), "Someone like me has got to have protection." 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