The Sad Truth About Queen Latifah’s Life Story

Dana Owens, better known as Queen Latifah, has enjoyed massive success as a rapper, singer, actress, producer and songwriter. She has received some of the top accolades in the game and has millions of adoring fans. Despite her accomplishments, the New Jersey native has experienced some major struggles.

Here are some things you might not know about her life story.

A neighbor took advantage 

Latifah told Essence magazine that at the age of five, a male teenage babysitter violated her. For years, she didn’t tell anyone what happened and it affected her relationships with other people. She said, “I kept people at an arm’s distance. I never really let a person get too close to me.” She explained that the situation also gave her commitment issues, which is part of the reason why she has never gotten married. 

She told Good Housekeeping it took her years to confront her past. After going to therapy, she was able to speak up and she realized what happened wasn’t her fault. She has since encouraged others to speak up if they’ve faced a similar situation. 

Growing up in the projects

Her parents Lancelot and Rita Owens separated when she was eight and divorced soon thereafter. From there, she, her mom, and her brother Lance Jr. moved into a public housing project in Newark, New Jersey. She told The New York Times because the rent was so low and the utilities were included, her mom was able to save enough money from her two jobs to put Latifah and her brother through private Catholic school. 

But things were hard for Latifah and her brother, who were still dealing with the aftermath of their parents’ divorce. She told Barbara Walters there were many days they would cry on each other’s shoulder because they didn’t understand why their parents were living apart.

Living the fast life

The Queen is known for her beautiful figure, but it was difficult when she was growing up because she began developing at the age of 11. She told Good Housekeeping kids would tease her about her chest. But after feeling awkward about her body for so long, she grew up and learned to accept her curves.

In her memoir, entitled Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman, Latifah wrote about one of the most regrettable moments during her teen years. At the age of 16, she slept with a 40-year-old man for $50. She wrote that afterward, she felt really low and couldn’t believe she had done something like that with a man she hardly knew and didn’t even like. Looking back on the incident, she still has regrets and realizes it was a terrible mistake.

She used and sold illicit substances

In her memoir, Latifah wrote that she tried cocaine when she was in high school. But not only that, when she was 17, she started selling illegal substances as well. Her time as a small-time dealer only lasted one day. She called it “one of the scariest and craziest things” she had ever done. The amount of shame she felt was enough for her to decide to give up dealing for good.

The loss of her brother

Latifah and her brother Lance, who went by the nickname Winky, were very close. They were best friends and would spend a lot of time together. In 1992, Latifah decided to surprise her brother, who worked as a police officer, by buying him a motorcycle for his birthday. According to People magazine, just two months later, her brother took the motorcycle out for a ride. He collided with a car and lost his life at the age of 23.

According to Good Housekeeping, Latifah took her brother’s motorcycle key, had it dipped in gold, and wore it on a chain around her neck for many years. 

The accident took a heavy toll on her and she fell into a depression. In her memoir, she admitted she got into the routine of drinking excessively and smoking substances until she passed out. Eventually, she turned to music to help with her grief and dedicated a song to her brother called “Winky’s Theme.” She also went to counseling and strengthened her relationship with God to help deal with his passing.

The victim of a carjacking 

In July 1995, her life took another unexpected turn. She, a friend named Lynn Mayo, and her bodyguard Sean Moon, were inside Latifah’s 1995 BMW in NYC waiting for a group of friends who were following them in another car. According to The Baltimore Sun, while they were stopped, two teenage boys approached. One of them had a weapon and demanded Latifah and her crew to get out of the car. They all complied, but for unknown reasons, one of the teenagers shot Latifah’s bodyguard in the stomach. The teenage boys then jumped into Latifah’s BMW and sped off. 

Latifah sprung into action and flagged down a cab which took them to a nearby hospital. Because she acted so swiftly, her bodyguard survived his injuries. 

The suspects, Ricardo Rodriguez, and Rashin Fortune were eventually apprehended. According to AP News, Ricardo was sentenced to 18 years in prison and was eligible for parole after nine years. Rashin, who was the teenager who pulled the trigger, took a plea deal and was sentenced to 21 years. He was eligible for parole after serving seven years. 

The Queen told Good Housekeeping that she turned to self-medication after the incident. She said, “Drinking a bunch of alcohol, numbing myself. Every day I would be faded. I wasn’t living my full life.”

Busted for possession

In February 1996, Latifah was pulled over for speeding in L.A. According to The LA Times, the officer discovered a loaded weapon in the car. He also noticed an odor and asked Latifah if she had been smoking. Latifah admitted she had been and was arrested on the scene. MTV reported she escaped jail time and paid a fine for speeding and possession.

She later admitted to Good Housekeeping she started carrying the weapon because of the carjacking incident.  

Charged with a DUI 

There was more trouble for the entertainer in November 2002 when she was pulled over for making an unsafe lane change. According to CBS News, the officer suspected Latifah was under the influence. After failing a sobriety test, she was taken into custody on a DUI charge.

Two months later, she pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless driving. MTV reported she received three years probation, was ordered to attend an alcohol education program and paid $300 in fines.

Losing her mom

The National Enquirer published a story in October 2013 that her mom was in poor health, but Latifah insisted she was fine and said the story was incorrect, although she did admit her mom was experiencing some health challenges.

Two years later, her mom revealed she had been diagnosed with heart failure about 11 years prior. According to People magazine, her mom had a defibrillator implanted in her chest and required oxygen 24/7 to help manage the disease.

Latifah explained that she and her mom got much closer after her diagnosis, which included Latifah sharing in the care of her mother. 

Unfortunately, her mom lost her battle to heart disease in March 2018. Latifah released a statement to Essence. Part of the statement read, “I am heartbroken but know she is at peace.” She also called her mother the love of her life.

Battling rumors

Throughout her career, the Queen has dealt with questions, rumors, and innuendos about her private life. In 2012, the world thought she had officially come out after she performed at Long Beach’s Lesbian & Gay Pride Event. Latifah shot that rumor down by telling Entertainment Weekly that she wouldn’t be discussing her personal life in public. 

In 2014, Latifah and her supposed partner, choreographer Eboni Nichols, were photographed kissing on an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Neither publicly acknowledged they were in a relationship despite constant hounding by the media and the public. 

In 2015, they were spotted again when The Daily Mail ran pictures of Latifah and Eboni walking arm in arm in NYC. And in 2019, rumors swirled that she and Eboni had a baby together. Blogger LoveBScott confirmed in January 2020 that Eboni had given birth to a baby boy named Rebel, however, Latifah and Eboni have never addressed the rumor.  

While there’s always speculation about Latifah and when she’ll come out, is it really anybody’s concern? In her memoir, Latifah pointed out it’s insulting for people to ask about her preference, and in a 2007 interview with People magazine, she simply stated, “My private life is my private life. Whomever I might be with, I don’t feel the need to share it. I don’t think I ever will.”

What’s next for Queen Latifah?

Her days of growing up in the projects are long gone. She has racked up numerous accomplishments, from being one of the first female rappers to win a Grammy, leading the cast of the hit show Living Single, being nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy, to releasing numerous albums. 

The author, entrepreneur, and CoverGirl spokeswoman continues to take the world by storm, all while giving back to her community through a $14 million dollar development deal to build affordable housing in Newark, New Jersey. 

Despite all the ups and downs of her life, this Queen deserves to be celebrated and honored for all of her contributions to the music industry, the entertainment world, and beyond.

Let us know your thoughts on Queen Latifah’s life story or drop us a comment on our YouTube channel!