One Unit, a subsidiary of Queen Latifah’s production company Flavor Unit, is partnering with Carl Weber’s Urban Books Media to adapt novels from Weber’s library of 2500 titles for both film and television. “Great storytelling is what makes Latifah and I so passionate about this business,” said Shakim Compere (pictured), Latifah’s partner at Flavor Unit. “Carl Weber tells the stories we cannot get enough of and we are excited for this journey.”
Latifah will play The Wiz in NBC’s holiday special, The Wiz Live. She stars alongside Mary J. Blige, Uzo Aduba, Amber Riley, David Alan Grier and Stephanie Mills in what is set to be a lively, modernized and urbanized take on the classic musical. We’re absolutely ready to see Queen Latifah ease on down, ease on down the road!
Latifah’s role in the HBO biopic Bessie afforded her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. Though the rapper-actress did not take home the trophy, Latifah’s performance was not any less convincing. The film went on to win four separate awards, including Outstanding Television Movie, Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie, Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie or a Special and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or a Movie.
Latifah is producing two new shows for Centric this fall. Curve Appeal follows her stylist Timothy Snell as he transforms everyday women. From the Bottom Up is a 6-part docu-series following the journey of five women who were caught in the middle of scandals, as they make the changes to turn their lives around and redeem their careers. Latifah will be co-producing with R&B Divas Atlanta, Nicci Gilbert.
Latifah is returning to the big screen in Sony’s upcoming drama, Miracles From Heaven, based on a new novel with the same title. She will play an “earthly” guardian angel to a mother and her sick daughter. The faith-based film, co-starring Jennifer Garner, will premiere in March 2016.
Latifah will play the Master P’s mother in an upcoming biopic called King of the South. Keep an eye out for the flick next spring.
Nearly 10 years after signing on as a brand ambassador for Covergirl, Latifah has ushered the company’s much-needed revamp of its line of makeup for darker skin tones.
