Queen Latifah Reveals Past Abuse in New Essence

In the latest issue of Essence magazine Queen Latifah talks about being sexually abused as a child.
"He violated me," the Oscar-nominated actress says of a teenage male babysitter.
"I never told anybody; I just buried it as deeply as I could and kept people at an arm's distance ... I never really let a person get too close to me," Latifah continued.
"I could have been married years ago, but I had a commitment issue," Latifah explained.
Source
Any type of abuse on a child shapes them forever. I hope she’s gotten or getting the help she needs to deal with this as an adult. Now the power is in her hands.

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Latifah Gets Sued

Makeup Artist Roxanna Floyd and stylist Susan Moses are collectively suing Queen Latifah for over $1million, claiming she cheated them out of their money.
Roxanna claims she’s due $700K for working on the Queen’s Queen Collection for CoverGirl. Susan says that she’s owed $300K for advising Latifah on her Curvations full figured lingerie line.
Latifah’s spokesperson says that the lawsuits have no merit.
Source
They best not mess with Cleo.

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Random Pics

Umm...

Am I the only one who thinks this pic is awkward?

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Queen Latifah to Pen New Book

Rapper/singer/actress Queen Latifah has inked a deal to write an inspirational book for Grand Central Publishing.
"We are delighted to be publishing Queen Latifah's new book," said Jamie Raab, Grand Central's Executive VP and Publisher. "Throughout her career, she has consistently taken on new challenges, and through her vision, hard work and great talent has achieved success in so many arenas. What she has accomplished in every facet of her life is extraordinary, and makes for a book of life lessons that I know readers will find deeply inspirational.""We are delighted that Queen Latifah will share her powerful presence with readers from all walks of life. She is an incredible role model for young women and I look forward to working with her," added Karen Thomas, who will edit the book.
The book will be out in 2010. Source
Jenny Craig, a new album, a book deal…Looks like things are looking up for Big Tifah.

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Random Pics

Grace, you need to call Will or Jack to hook you up. Cus right about now you look a haggy mess. The only thing that Comes to mind is Lady Grimis. I’m curious as to exactly what she was thinking before she left the house in this get up. New York never ceases to please. Her dress looks like a bedsheet dyed in baby poo. Gadzooks! How does one’s teet end up looking like that?!

I know its called a “sweat” shirt. But I really didn’t know it was possible to soak it all the way through without being involved in a marathon.

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Wanna Duet with Queen Latifah?

Rapper/singer/actress Queen Latifah is looking for someone to sing a duet with her on her new album, Persona. She’s launching a contest for song writers and artists and will narrow down submissions by next month. Once she picks three finalists the winner will be decided by an online poll. Source
I think it’s pretty awesome of her to not only introduce new talent to the world but also to let her fans decide. But I must say I’ve never been a huge fan of her singing. That being said, all you aspiring artists better hop on this. It could be your big break.

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The Queen is Sticking with Jenny Craig

Queen Latifah has decided to stay on as a spokesperson for Jenny Craig after losing 20 pounds on the program.
Scott Parker, Jenny Craig's marketing vice president, says, "We are proud of Queen Latifah's achievements and are excited to continue the relationship."Queen Latifah embodies the healthy lifestyle principles and character that Jenny Craig stands for and we look forward to another great year." Source
That’s just their way of saying that 20 pounds ain’t enough.

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The Queen Jewels are Stolen

Rapper/actress Queen Latifah was recently robbed of $10K worth of jewelry. She was spending the holidays at a resort in Tobago and left her suite to have brunch. When she went back a $10,000 bracelet, two gold rings, a gold chain and a silver ring were missing."Several searches are being carried out and the police are trying to have the jewelry returned to Queen Latifah," Police Commissioner James Philbert told a local paper. "Investigators said the larceny seems to be an inside job and efforts are being made round the clock to make a breakthrough."
Because of the sentimental value of the jewelry the Queen is offering a reward. Source
Those thieves betta hope Big Tifah doesn’t get her hands on them cus that bull dagger looks like she can pack a punch.

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Random Pics

I bet she was halfway through with that giant sundae before she realized it was made of foam. And speaking of Thickums, someone should tell her that thighs like that should never be slathered in that material…EVER.
Calling all soldiers of the Cameltoe Brigade! We’ve got a live one! Bring your nets and tasers…she’s a big one! MUST their legs be wide open?! Ponch’s plugs make me sad inside
And the PhotoShop award goes to… Preggers kinda? And just when I was thinking Latifah didn’t look lezzie enough… Praise Jah! Condie cut off that stupid flip.

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No One is Gonna Drag Latifah Out of the Closet! NO ONE!

“I don’t have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life,” Latifah, 38, told Sunday’s New York Times magazine.
“You don’t get that part of me. Sorry,” she added. “We’re not discussing it in our meetings, we’re not discussing it at Cover Girl…nobody gets that.
“I don’t feel like I need to share my personal life, and I don’t care if people think I’m gay or not,” she said. “Assume whatever you want. You do it anyway.”
“People will make up all sorts of things that are not true,” she says in reference to the rumors that she was going to marry her long time “personal trainer”. “There ain’t gonna’ be no wedding.” Source
There ain’t gonna be no wedding cus ain’t no punani (sorry I love that word) sweet enough to tie down Big Tif!

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Queen Latifah to Release "The L Word"?!

Queen Latifah is working on a new hip-hop album that she hopes to be out by this December. She told Rolling Stone that she’ll be working wit LL Cool J and Dr. Dre to produce it. "They pretty much did the whole album," Latifah said. "My boy Kenny Flav did one track and I think might do two more. Missy [Elliott] and Swizz Beatz are the only two people I have left. But they're mixing it right now."
The album doesn’t have a title but Latifah says that she’s been toying around with the name “The L Word” "just to mess with people's heads." For those of you who don’t know…or couldn’t figure out, Latifah’s sexuality has been in question forever. “The L Word” is also the title of a cable show that centers around the lives of lesbian friends and lovers. "L was gonna stand for love though or La," she laughed. "Since people want to play games, I like to jab back sometimes just for fun, but I'm like, 'Nah, that’s too much energy wasted.' ""They've been waiting to talk to me to surprise me," Latifah says. "I'm actually supposed to talk to them and find out who the hell is on that damn album. I'm sure there is no one on there I don't like." Source
I’m sorry but who’s album is this? She doesn’t eve know who’s on it? This whole thing is weird. For this to be her comeback to hip-hop its like she doesn’t even give a damn. If you ask me it was U.N.I.T.Y. was her climax.
Everyone sing along, “I had on my cut off shorts on right, cus it was crazy hot!”

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Queen Latifah to Adopt?

The National Enquirer is reporting that rapper, singer, actress Queen Latifah, nee Dana Owens, wants to adopt a child with girlfriend Jeanette Jenkins. A longtime pal told The Enquirer, “They’re trying to keep it quiet because they don’t want to jinx the whole thing.”
They also want to adopt from the US unlike other stars. “I can understand why people go outside the U.S. You can adopt someone here, and the birth parents have three years to come back and get that child. That’s terrifying,” said Queen Latifah. She believes poor American children “can use just as much assistance as someone from around the world. I want to do something here.”
She’s been talking about adopting for a little while now. She said last year, “I’ve always wanted to have babies and adopt. When I was little, I remember seeing TV shows and a child would be adopted and be happy. I just always felt like there are so many kids out there who need a parent.” Source
I agree big Tif! There are chilluns in our own back yard in need of a good home. Best of luck!

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Big Tifah to Jump the Broom?

The National Enquirer is reporting that Queen Latifah is going to marry her girlfriend of five years, Jeanette Jenkins. As we all know Big Tifah has been refusing to confirm or deny the gay rumours for years. When questioned by Ebony Magazine about her relationship with Jeannette she said:
“No comment on that at all. I’m done commenting on all that … It’s ridiculous, I know me and that’s all I need to know. “And if the readers don’t know me, then that’s one part they aren’t going to get to know. Those are my people but they don’t sleep with me,” she says in a very even tone that is very consistent with her relaxed mood. “It feels so invasive. It’s the one thing I don’t think people need to know about.” Source She told Essence, “If I’m not going to tell you what guy I’m dating, I sure wouldn’t tell you I’m dating a girl.” Tifah has never mentioned Jeannette either directly or indirectly and Jeannette isn’t out the closet either. She even denied being gay once.
So if the “intimate ceremony” they are supposedly planning does actually go down it’ll be a big deal for the both of them. Source My dear sweet lezzies no need to hide it…but no need to come out either….pssst (whispers) we alreadly know.
In any event, congrats!

Make Room for the Big Girls

Queen Latifah has signed on as the new spokesperson for Jenny Craig.The VP of marketing for Jenny Craig released the following statement:
"We officially confirm that Queen Latifah will join the Jenny Craig program in January," Scott Parker, Jenny Craig's vice president of marketing, tells PEOPLE. "We are thrilled to have Queen Latifah support our mission of improving health by taking her first step toward achieving a more healthful lifestyle."
Jenny Craig has had famous spokes people like Kirstie Alley, Valarie Bertinelli, and Kimberly Locke, and now Big Tifah is takin a shot at it. I wonder if while doing ads for Jenny she’s going to continue to do voice overs for Pizza Hut? Muy interesante, no?

Queen Latifah is Engaged!

Media Take Out is reporting that Queen Latifah and her long time girlfriend Jeannette are officially engaged. Their source has told them that the couple plans to come out to the world once Latifah is done taping her most current movie project The Perfect Holiday. They've been together for 4 years but Latifah has neither confirmed or denied rumors questioning her sexuality.

Shoot I don't need a confirmation. I knew since Set It Off that she seemed a little too natural playing Cleo. Anywayz, Congrats!!

(Thanks for the tip Paula!)