03:39 PM EDT 12/16/2011
Queen Latifah
Octavia Spencer: How I Beat Out Oscar Winners for The Help
Originally posted 12/06/2011 12:30PM
Octavia Spencer is getting Oscar buzz for her performance in The Help, but the actress now reveals that she faced stiff competition from some former Oscar winners for the role as sassy maid Minny Jackson.
Spencer, 41, told Anderson Cooper during an interview on his talk show set to air Tuesday that other actresses considered for the part included Queen Latifah, Mo'Nique and Jennifer Hudson.
"There were a lot of big name people who were out there and being considered for this role. How did you get this role?" Cooper asked.
 |
Queen Latifah Wants to 'See a Little Ruggedness' in Kate's Look
Originally posted 08/28/2011 08:00AM
Since she's a designer and a queen, it seems as if Queen Latifah is the perfect person to ask about the Middleton sisters' buzz-worthy style. So how would the star, whose clothing line debuts on HSN this weekend, dress the girls if given the chance?
"I wouldn't change a thing," she tells nymag.com's The Cut. "Pippa's still kind of up and coming to me – she should get to wear whatever she wants."
In fact, Latifah says the younger sis should be taking fashion risks. "It's the time to experiment with the kinds of things she wears," she explains. "Her sister's a princess so [she can't do that]."
 |
Queen Latifah Offers Advice to Princess-to-Be Kate Middleton
Originally posted 12/30/2010 05:35PM
Queen Latifah has some advice for Kate Middleton from one royal to another: Brace yourself.
"Make sure you have a sanctuary, because everybody in the world is going to be in your business," Latifah advises Middleton in the new issue of Parade. "[Prince William] happened to be born a prince; you happened to go to college and meet him. You're two kids who fell in love. I just hope you have a happy life."
Latifah's top tip for Middleton, who is set to marry William in April, is simple: "Don't take anything personally.”
 |
Robert Downey Jr., Katy Perry, Tina Fey, Chris Rock and More to Appear at Kids' Choice Awards
Originally posted 03/23/2010 08:45AM
What do Robert Downey Jr., Katy Perry and a few hundred gallons of green slime have in common?
The stars – along with Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Chris Rock, Jackie Chan, Jonah Hill, Queen Latifah, David Spade, Lea Michele, Dev Patel, Miranda Cosgrove, Shaun White and more – are set to help host Kevin James dole out Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kids' Choice Awards this Saturday.
In addition to Rihanna and Justin Bieber performing, eight-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno will attempt to set a new world record for being catapulted into the show's trademark green slime via the Kids' Choice Awards Slime Slingshot.
The awards will be telecast live from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion on March 27 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). Until then, kids can cast their votes online in 19 categories including favorite couple, movie actor, singer, athlete and reality show.
 |
Queen Latifah Comes to Jada Pinkett Smith's Rescue
Originally posted 03/05/2010 12:05PM
A loving friend is someone to lean on, as Jada Pinkett Smith experienced first hand.
While presenting Queen Latifah with the Power Award at the third annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, Pinkett Smith became choked up over the recent passing of her father, who succumbed to a heart attack.
"My father died last week, and I'm flying tomorrow to bury him," said Pinkett Smith, 38. "But I wanted to come because when those types of losses happen a lot of things get illuminated and your priorities fall in line."
 |
People's Choice Awards Kicks Off Hollywood Trophy Season
Originally posted 01/06/2010 08:00AM
Award-show season kicks off Wednesday night, as Queen Latifah returns to host the 36th Annual People's Choice Awards.
Taylor Lautner, Ryan Reynolds and Carrie Underwood are among the celebrities expected to attend. A record 60 million-plus fan votes have been counted, according to producers.
New categories this year include favorite Web celeb, which features nominees Andy Samberg, Ashton Kutcher, Miley Cyrus, Diddy and Will Ferrell, as well as favorite on-screen team, in which the Twilight trio of Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will compete against The Proposal's Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, among others.
 |
Queen Latifah Ready to Shed Holiday Pounds
Originally posted 01/07/2009 09:55AM
As Queen Latifah gears up to host Wednesday's People's Choice Awards, the singer-actress is also getting her diet back in gear after some serious holiday play.
"I'm glad I re-signed [with Jenny Craig] because I had a little fun over the holidays, as most people do," says Latifah, 38, who announced this month that she would continue as the spokesperson for the weight-loss program.
"I went to Trinidad and I indulged in everything," she says, admitting to falling off the wagon temporarily while on vacation. "It wasn’t that I wasn’t eating healthy stuff. It was just a lot of it. There's always a beach barbeque."
|
Queen Latifah to Continue as Jenny Craig Spokesperson
Originally posted 01/05/2009 09:15PM
Queen Latifah will reign another year at Jenny Craig
The Grammy-winning singer and Oscar-nominated actress, who became spokesperson for the weight-loss chain last year, will continue through 2009, PEOPLE confirms exclusively.
"We are proud of Queen Latifah's achievements and are excited to continue the relationship," says Scott Parker, vice president of marketing for Jenny Craig. "Queen Latifah embodies the healthy lifestyle principles and character that Jenny Craig stands for and we look forward to another great year."
After following the footsteps of Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli as spokeswoman, Latifah, 38,
shed 20 pounds in 2008. Famous for her curves, she has said her goal was never "about getting skinny" but to have a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and fitness.
– Jennifer Garcia
 |
Jennifer Hudson Kisses Her Mother Goodbye at Funeral
Originally posted 11/03/2008 06:50PM
Jennifer Hudson kissed her mother goodbye at a private service for her slain family members in Chicago on Monday.
The Oscar-winning actress spent a few moments at the caskets of her brother and nephew, and gently touched the body of her mother before leaning down to kiss her, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Toward the end of the service, American Idol season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino sang a rousing rendition of the gospel classic "Your Grace and Mercy," grasping Hudson's hand.
As mourners including Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah and music producer Clive Davis left Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God, Jennifer, 27, joined in the chorus of the recessional, "I Go to the Rock," a longtime family friend told PEOPLE.
|
Queen Latifah: 'I Don't Care if People Think I'm Gay'
Originally posted 10/08/2008 08:40AM
Rapper, movie star, Cover Girl ... Is there anything Queen Latifah can't do?
Yes – discuss her sexuality.
"I don't have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay," she told the New York Times. "But I do have a problem discussing my personal life."
Queen Latifah's sexuality has been a topic of persistent speculation, the paper notes, "particularly a supposed romance with a female trainer."
But the Oscar-nominee – whose newest film, The Secret Life of Bees, opens Oct. 17 – has never discussed her relationships.
"You don't get that part of me. Sorry," Latifah, who recently spoofed the vice presidential debate on Saturday Night Live, told the paper. "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."
"Assume whatever you want," she added. "You do it anyway."
People Top 5
Top 10 News Categories
The most buzzed about stars this minute!
Treat Yourself! 4 Preview Issues
More On People.com
Got a News Tip?
Send it to our People.com editors!
News Archive
Today!
