Queen Age
In the time it took you to read this sentence Queen Latifah has amassed another grand from residuals from old Living Single episodes or those damn Pizza Hut commercials. Ok, maybe that’s a gross exaggeration (depending on how fast you read), but you have to admit for a big girl from the bricks, the Queen has amassed some loyal subjects.
Take into account Latifah’s latest film endeavor, Beauty Shop. She flexes her Hollywood muscle power on a fresh (considering no one saw Nora’s Hair Salon) comedy about a neighborhood beauty shop featuring Alicia Silverstone, Kevin Bacon, Mena Suvari and a bevy of black actors you haven’t seen on film in a long time or ever (Alfre Woodard, Sherri Shepard and Keshia Knight Puliam aka Rudy).
What’s truly amazing is Latifah’s penchant for bouncing back despite her often dubious product. This is the same woman who peddled merchandise like Taxi, Barber Shop, The Cookout, that souless Dana Owens Project, and that horrid Talk Show on a forgiving public that still believes in her talent.
Although Latifah’s latest incarnation in shop up the block is unlike anything I would have ever imagined or produced, yet I am still strangely intrigued with her appeal and the eventual film. Here’s to a healthy monarchy!
Mint Martini