All hail her royal highness! During Sunday’s BET Awards, Queen Latifah was presented with the well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award and got a little more personal than usual in an emotional acceptance speech. After thanking family and colleagues, including her longtime work partner Shakim Compere, Queen Latifah said, “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. And thank you for making Equalizer number one. Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love. Peace. Happy Pride!” Happy Pride, indeed.
Queen Latifah is famously private about her personal life, having previously told the New York Times, “You don’t get that part of me. Sorry. We’re not discussing it in our meetings,” in response to questions about her relationships and sexuality. There’s long been speculation about Queen Latifah’s sexuality — which is truly nobody’s business — especially when she was first linked to now-partner Eboni Nichols in 2013. The two were rumored to have welcomed a son in 2019, the aforementioned Rebel. However, Sunday’s awards ceremony was the first time Queen Latifah publicly confirmed or even talked about any of the above.
Queen Latifah doesn’t owe anyone details on her personal life. It is, again, nobody’s business. Still, it’s nice to get a little peek and feels especially poignant given how private she’s been in the past. To quote the Queen once again, happy Pride to all!