For Queen Latifah, there's 'a renewed vigor'

By Donna Freydkin, USA TODAY

NEW YORK — Queen Latifah has more launches than Apple.

  • "I intended on retiring at 40," but Latifah, now 41, shows no signs of slowing.

    By Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

    "I intended on retiring at 40," but Latifah, now 41, shows no signs of slowing.

By Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

"I intended on retiring at 40," but Latifah, now 41, shows no signs of slowing.

There's her HSN clothing and lifestyle line, called the Queen Collection, on sale in August. Her hair extensions, also in partnership with HSN and available this fall. A live album she's recording now and is hoping to release by the end of the year. Joyful Noise, an uplifting flick co-starring Dolly Parton and scheduled for release in January 2012. Her CoverGirl ad campaign. And a new series on VH1 called Single Ladies, premiering Monday (9 p.m. ET/PT), she's producing through her company, Flavor Unit Entertainment.

Not bad for a woman who had planned to quit working last year.

"I originally intended on retiring at 40. Here I am beginning all these new ventures at 41. It's a renewed vigor," she says. "I'm just really optimistic about what we're doing. The irons in the fire will pay later, but they require the dedication now."

She's particularly proud of Single Ladies, VH1's first scripted series. It's a more urban Sex and the City, focused on three best friends (Stacey Dash, LisaRaye McCoy, Charity Shea) as they date, mate and commiserate. Latifah will appear rarely on the series ? she says it's supposed to showcase the three women, not her.

"We wanted the ladies to be able to talk about mature things. (Sex and the City) was an inspiration, but the real inspiration was real life," Latifah says as she goes through clips from the show at an edit studio inside the Viacom building. "We know independent women who are looking for love. These are virile women who have emotions and desires, and they will be out there looking, but they'll do it on their own terms." She starts laughing boisterously during a particularly amorous scene featuring McCoy and a paramour. "Get that kiss on! Don't be afraid!" Latifah cries at the screen.

Yes, she can be goofy and silly. Still, you get the sense with Latifah that she's always focused on the bottom line, and very little goes unnoticed by her. Latifah's business partner, Shakim Compere, has known Latifah for 30 years ? back when she was still known as Dana Owens in East Orange, N.J. He calls her "one of the smartest people I've ever met. I don't think anything gets by her. People may think that they got something by her, but that's only because she lets you think that."

The two run Flavor Unit Entertainment, the production company that released last year's Just Wright and 2005's Beauty Shop, as well as Single Ladies.

Latifah ? who earned an Oscar nomination for 2002's star-studded musical Chicago? isn't shy about her ambition or the fact that she views herself as a brand.

Her appeal, Compere says, is approachability. "Every woman can relate to her. The average person will see Dana walking in East Orange without bodyguards. She doesn't put on any airs."

Each project has to reflect what Latifah stands for. In the case of HSN: "good living, affordability, some sexiness and availability to the masses," Latifah says. The collection includes "cocktail dresses. Cool ponchos. Classic pieces. Handbags that are fly. Size 2-24. I want to make clothes for all women. We all want to look beautiful."

Work aside, Latifah says, she does see herself slowing down at some point. Could she ever picture herself living on a farm surrounded by a gaggle of kids?

"A farm. A yacht. An island," Latifah says. "I'm kind of raised in Virginia and Maryland, too, so farm is in my blood. Fresh produce in the spring."

And yes, bambinos are in her future, but she can't or won't say when.

"I won't be the first person who's had a career and had a family. When that happens, it will happen organically, and my business will have to adjust to my personal life.

"I'm not going to stop life for business. My life, my family, my friends ? those things are much more important than business."

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.
We've updated the Conversation Guidelines. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation on how to use the "Report Abuse" button. Read more.

Source: http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~r/usatoday-LifeTopStories/~3/yd7Onq9yZn0/2011-05-25-queen-latifah_n.htm

Christina Ricci Giulianna Ramirez Katie Holmes Gisele Bündchen Sofía Vergara