Queens must get their due. For the artist formerly known as Dana Owens, that time has come.
On Monday, Feb. 1, Queen Latifah will be honored – along with Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Sean “Diddy” Combs, neurosurgeon Keith Black and educator Ruth Simmons – at BET Honors’ annual award ceremony. Actress Gabrielle Union will host the third annual event, taped at Washington D.C.’s historic Warner Theater earlier this week.
Latifah, who turns 40 in March, is feted in the media category, which recognizes her diverse history of achievement in music, TV and film. The rapper/singer/actress, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in the 2002 film version of the musical “Chicago,” has also had her own talk show and sitcom, as well as starring roles in films like “The Secret Life of Bees,” her most recent, and telefilms like HBO’s “Life Support.” Despite not fitting the conventional notions of Hollywood beauty, Latifah has managed a sustain a career that has spanned two decades and sent her from the streets of Newark, N.J., to Hollywood’s most hallowed enclaves.
As someone who started her career via rap videos shown on BET, it’s only fitting that the company celebrate her. “Each of our celebrants are dedicated to reaching back to help bring more forward and represent integrity, perseverance, fortitude and outsized talent,” said Stephen Hill, president of Music Programming and Specials for BET Networks. “We also hope to encourage our viewers to embody and emulate the passion and drive of these individuals.”
Performers on BET Honors include India.Arie, Jennifer Hudson, Jazmine Sullivan, Maxwell, Ryan Leslie, and Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz (who duets with Stevie Wonder on “I Invented Sex”) and a special musical tribute to the recently-deceased soul superstar Teddy Pendergrass. The show will encourage viewers to donate to Haiti earthquake relief. Viacom, BET’s parent company, will donate matching funds for employee donations to the Red Cross, reports AP.
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