Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens, spent three decades deflecting questions about her sexuality before finally acknowledging her partner, Eboni Nichols, and their son Rebel at the 2021 BET Awards. The rapper, actress, and producer accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award and used her speech to thank her loved ones, including Nichols and their child. This moment marked a significant shift in Latifah's approach to her personal life, as she had previously avoided discussing her relationships publicly.
For years, Latifah consistently refused to make any public statements about her sexuality, instead choosing to focus on her career and music. In a 2008 New York Times Magazine profile, she told Alex Witchel that she didn't have a problem discussing the topic of someone being gay, but she did have a problem discussing her personal life. Latifah emphasized that she didn't care what people assumed about her sexuality, and she maintained this stance for many years.
In 2012, Latifah performed at the Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride event, which led to speculation that she was coming out as a lesbian. However, she quickly clarified that her performance was not a signal of her sexuality, but rather a celebration of the event. Latifah explained that she had performed at gay pride shows before and enjoyed the experience, having first performed at a gay club on New Year's Eve in San Francisco.
The 2021 BET Awards speech was a pivotal moment for Latifah, as she used her acceptance speech to acknowledge her partner and child. She said, "Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love. Peace. Happy Pride!" This moment was seen as a public acknowledgment of her relationship with Nichols and their son Rebel, and it marked a significant shift in Latifah's approach to her personal life.
In a 2026 interview with broadcaster Angie Martinez, Latifah explained why she decided to publicly acknowledge her partner and child at the BET Awards. She stated that she was getting a Lifetime Achievement Award and didn't want to leave out the people who were part of her life. Latifah framed her acknowledgment as a simple act of appreciation rather than a carefully orchestrated statement.
Eboni Nichols is an accomplished performance producer and choreographer who has worked with a range of entertainers, including Aaliyah, Usher, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. She has also produced award shows through her E. Nichols Productions company and has contributed to acclaimed films and television programs such as Night School, Jane the Virgin, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Queen Latifah and Eboni Nichols have been in a long-term relationship since around 2013, and they share a son named Rebel, born in 2019. While the couple is not married, they have been photographed at events together and have been rumored to be engaged, with Nichols wearing a large diamond ring in 2018.
Key points
- Queen Latifah publicly acknowledged her partner Eboni Nichols and their son Rebel at the 2021 BET Awards, ending speculation about her sexuality.
