Queen Latifah is basically the blueprint for how to be a superstar while keeping your private life under a heavy-duty lock and key. For decades, fans have been asking the same question: is Queen Latifah straight? Honestly, the answer was "none of your business" for about thirty years. She didn’t just dodge the question; she dismantled the idea that she owed anyone an explanation.
But things changed. Not in a loud, "I'm on the cover of People magazine with a headline" kind of way, but in a very Latifah way. Gracious. Solid. True.
If you grew up watching Living Single or blasting "U.N.I.T.Y." in your car, you’ve probably heard the rumors. They’ve been circling since the 90s. Some people pointed to her role as Cleo in Set It Off—which she played with such raw, authentic intensity—as "proof." Others just looked at her style and her refusal to play the Hollywood dating game and made up their own minds.
The BET Awards Moment That Changed Everything
In 2021, the world finally got a concrete answer, and it happened on one of the biggest stages in Black culture. Latifah was accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards. It was a huge night. She brought her father on stage. She held a picture of her late mother, Rita Owens.
Then, right at the end of a deeply emotional speech, she said it.
"Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love. Peace. Happy Pride!"
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Just like that. No big manifesto. No tearful sit-down interview with Oprah. She just acknowledged her longtime partner, Eboni Nichols, and their son, Rebel. By ending with "Happy Pride," she effectively stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight of the LGBTQ+ community.
Who is Eboni Nichols?
You've gotta understand that Eboni isn't just some "plus one." She is a powerhouse in her own right. Eboni is a professional choreographer and a former Los Angeles Lakers Girl. She has worked with the absolute best in the business—we’re talking Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Usher.
The two of them reportedly met back in 2009 on the set of Dancing with the Stars. They didn't start dating immediately, but by 2013, they were a regular item, even if they were keeping things on the low.
They are the definition of a low-profile power couple.
- Met: 2009 (DWTS set)
- Started Dating: Around 2013
- First Child: Rebel, born in 2019
- Public Debut: amfAR Gala in Cannes, 2023
Why She Kept Quiet for So Long
It’s easy to look back now and wonder why she didn't just say something sooner. But you have to remember the era she came up in. In the late 80s and early 90s, the hip-hop world wasn't exactly a safe haven for queer artists. Latifah was building an empire. She was a rapper, a sitcom star, an Oscar-nominated actress, and a face for CoverGirl.
She once told the New York Times in 2008, "I don't have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life."
She was drawing a line in the sand. Basically, she was saying: You can have my talent, but you can't have my house. In a world where every celebrity's lunch is posted on Instagram, there's something incredibly badass about the way she protected her peace. She didn't want to be a "lesbian rapper" or a "gay actress." She just wanted to be The Queen. And she earned that title by outworking everyone else, regardless of who she was going home to at night.
The Role of Cleo in 'Set It Off'
We have to talk about Cleo. In 1996, Latifah played a butch, out-and-proud lesbian in the heist film Set It Off. It was a revolutionary performance. At the time, very few A-list stars—especially Black women—were willing to take on a role like that.
People assumed she was "playing herself."
Latifah’s response was always professional. She maintained that she was an actress doing her job. Looking back, that role was a gift to a community that rarely saw itself on screen with such complexity and heart. Cleo wasn't a caricature; she was the soul of that movie.
Life as a Mother and Partner
Fast forward to today, and the privacy wall has thinned out just a little bit. In early 2026, we've seen her and Eboni at more events. They attended the Oscars together, and they've been spotted at New York Fashion Week looking incredibly stylish in coordinated Thom Browne outfits.
Then there's Rebel. Their son was born in 2019, and Latifah has kept him almost entirely out of the public eye. Occasionally, photographers catch them at a basketball game, but for the most part, he’s growing up away from the cameras.
It’s clear that motherhood has softened her stance on "never" talking about her family, but she’s still not the type to do a reality show.
Breaking Down the Labels
Is Queen Latifah straight? No.
Does she use the word "lesbian" or "bisexual" to describe herself? Not really. She seems to prefer just living her life. In her 2015 role as Bessie Smith in the HBO film Bessie, she played a woman who was openly bisexual. During the press tour, she talked about how Bessie was "just free."
That seems to be the Latifah philosophy. Freedom.
She doesn't want to be boxed in. Whether it’s her music—moving from hardcore rap to jazz singing—or her identity, she’s always been about breaking boundaries rather than building them.
What This Means for Fans
For the LGBTQ+ community, specifically Black queer women, Latifah’s journey is huge. She represents a generation that had to be quiet to survive and thrive. Seeing her now, at 55, walking red carpets with her partner and shouting out "Happy Pride" is a full-circle moment.
It tells people that you can have it all. You can be a respected mogul, a beloved household name, and still be true to yourself.
Actionable Insights from the Queen’s Journey
If there is anything to learn from Dana Owens, it’s these three things:
- Protect Your Peace: You don't owe anyone the "inside" of your life. Social media makes us feel like we have to share everything, but Latifah proved that mystery has a long shelf life.
- Timing is Yours: You don't have to "come out" or explain yourself on anyone else's schedule. Whether it takes you ten years or fifty, it’s your story to tell.
- Labels are Optional: Living your truth is more important than finding the "perfect" word to describe it. Sometimes just saying "my love" is enough.
The rumors are over because the truth is finally out there, and honestly, the truth looks really good on her. She’s happy, she’s a mom, and she’s still the most respected woman in the room. Long live the Queen.
Next Steps for You:
If you're interested in more stories of icons who paved the way, you might want to look into the history of Black women in early 90s hip-hop or the impact of the film Set It Off on modern cinema. Understanding the landscape of that era makes Latifah’s journey even more impressive.