Noted private person Queen Latifah stars in HBO’s new biopic on legendary blues singer Bessie Smith, who history tells us was bisexual. Unlike the Queen, Bessie doesn’t skirt the issue of Smith’s sexuality — she enjoyed liaisons with both men and women as blues singers of that era were wont to do.
Queen La had previously played a lesbian in 1995’s Set It Off, for which both she and Jada Pinkett-Smith were robbed of Oscar nominations. And while she has been an ally for ages, Queen has been notoriously cagey about her own orientation despite persistent rumors. When asked about the movie’s sex scenes, however, she was made her feelings very queer clear.
“People feel a type of way when they see any sexuality on-screen. I think its almost human nature. People are so fascinated by it. It shouldn’t even be a discussion,” Latifah told BET’s Clay Kane. “But it is, because people are still curious, and people still wonder how they feel about things. At the end of the day I don’t really care if someone feels uncomfortable about it. It is what it is, and it’s life. So you either deal with it or not. It’s just part of who she is, and I had to tell the story honestly.”
Well all right then. You can catch Queen Latifah as the Empress of the Blues — along with Mo’Nique as Ma Rainey and Tika Sumpter as Bessie’s lover Lucille — in Bessie, debuting May 16 at 8 p.m. on HBO. Below, Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique’s sit-down with BET:
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Les Fabian Brathwaite — t’aint nobody’s biz-ness…but I did.
Captain Obvious
Art imitates life, eh Queen?
Thad1527
And who could forget Queen Latifah’s greatest film role – in Sphere? Marga Gomez (lesbian comic who also “died” in that film) reenacts her climactic scene in her comedy act. So great.
Kangol
Her greatest role was in Set It Off. It was clear she was only barely “acting” as that superbutch.
I wish she would stop dancing around the fence and just come out, though, since her reluctance suggests shame, fear, or something else.
There is NOTHING wrong with being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer, Queen Latifah. Nothing!
mmichael_24
@Kangol: I’m pretty sure if she wanted to come out she would of already.
jwtraveler
Did Queerty produce or invest in the movie “Pitch Perfect”? The last couple of weeks it seems Queerty has been a non-stop ad for this stupid bimbo flick. And why, of all films, would Queerty sponsor a movie about a group of young women who seem to have nothing to offer the gay male readers of this site? Very odd!
lauraspencer
Queen Latifah is pushing 50 and she still isn’t out even though she has more than enough money to live the rest of her life comfortably. She annoys me. Sad that she still isn’t true to herself even in 2015.
It isn’t as if she gets cast in traditional leading lady roles and it is unlikely that men view her as a sex symbol so what is the problem with her coming out?!??!?
jwtraveler
@lauraspencer: ” it is unlikely that men view her as a sex symbol”
WTF?!! She’s not skinny, white and 22, so she’s no longer attractive?
For your sake, I hope you stay thin and die before you reach 40. Wouldn’t want you to become an ugly old fat guy.
BTW, Latifah’s 45, which I would say is a few years’ away from “pushing 50”.
Clark35
When is she going to come out? Pics of her and her GF/partner have been published and around for years.
cflekken
Why does she, or any homosexual, need to “come out”? Why is that a requisite for the gay community? She’s living her life, true to herself. She doesn’t need to be true to you or anyone else. She’s not married to or dating a man as a cover. Then you have the other have of the gay coalition wondering why celebrities need to make a big deal about coming out? WTF. No one is ever happy. I’m so sick of this narrative. It’s unnecessary. Not every famous gay person need be a spokesperson for the LGBT community.
The whole idea of someone being closeted and needing to come out is part of why young gay teens feel the pressure of not being able to be who they want to be. The approach that gays are required to be covert until they come out gives young gays the impression that we need to be hidden first, then uncovered later. No. Gays should be allowed to be gay just like straights are allowed to be straight without declaring their straightness.
lauraspencer
@jwtraveler:
The point I’m making is that she has NEVER EVER been the kind of woman that men fantasize about. She isn’t a sex symbol. Men aren’t dreaming about banging her just like women don’t fantasize about having sex with Kevin Spacey.
Latifah is talented. Great voice and good with comedy. That is why people pay to see her movies. Not because she is a leading lady that is cast as the romantic lead in films.
She is 45. She isn’t pushing 40 since she is past it. She is pushing 50! We are the same age actually and I am pushing 50 as well.
JaredNorthcutt30
I don’t blame lauraspencer. She’s a caged animal imprisoned by heteronormative constructs and amorphous beauty standards. You can’t liberate people completely, jwtraveler. Just drop a few crumbs and hope they wake up eventually.
Blackceo
Queen Latifah is like Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper and Jussie Smollett and countless others. They are out to the people they care about and who care about them. She doesn’t have to make a declaration to satisfy you nosey ass heifas. Stay in your fucking lane.
NJjoe
Why would she? She is right in her own realm. I just wish she’d “come out” already!
Clark35
@Blackceo: Don Lemon, Anderson Cooper, and Jussie Smollett came out publically. But for decades Cooper was deeply closeted despite how everyone knew he is gay and pics of him with male partners would always get published, and he was ashamed of being gay.
Blackceo
@Clark35:
Yeah eventually they did but the point was to those who are claiming she’s not out. No she hasn’t declared her sexual orientation publicly, but she is out to the people who matter. That is my point. Jussie would still have done what Jussie did for years if Malik Yoba hadn’t slipped in that interview. The point is that Anderson, Don, and Jussie were out to who mattered in their lives at the time. Queen Latifah not declaring doesn’t make her any less of respect because she didn’t satisfy the judgmental desires of some of the gay community who think if you don’t take out a fucking billboard ad that you are ashamed or trapped in the closet.