*Speculation over Queen Latifah’s sexuality has been a running topic for a number of years.
Adding fuel to the fire is Latifah’s critically acclaimed role as Bessie Smith in HBO’s recent biopic on the bisexual blues icon. No matter her orientation, let it be said that Latifah is not going to spill the beans anytime soon about who she chooses to spend her spare time with.
“I know what I’m doing in my private life, and I know what I’m not, and I know me. And people who are not privy to that don’t know; they don’t know what they think they know,” she explained in a new interview with Variety while noting the difference between her life and the life Smith lived. “This is Bessie’s story,” she explained in a It has nothing to do with my life. There’s a difference for me between being honest and sharing my business with people who don’t need to know my business. So why would I start doing anything differently now because of ‘Bessie’?”
Latifah may not be willing to shed light on her sexuality, but she confessed that she does understand the discussion over it among folks.
“I think it’s human nature. People have curiosity about people’s sexuality, because we’re curious about sex, Latifah said. I think the problem is we don’t talk about it enough. We act like sex is bad sometimes. We act like love is bad sometimes, or makes you weak somehow.”
Overall, Latifah stated that she tries not to focus on tabloid stories about her, a point she makes to emphasize with those around her.
“At some point I told all my friends, ‘Don’t come to me with negative stuff in a magazine.’ Let them write whatever they want to write. I can’t control it,” Latifah said.
Latifah’s sexuality may be fair game for her since she’s used to the talk, but the former daytime TV talk show host is quick to draw the line on tabloids writing about her family.
“Then I’m ready to not only sue you, but put a knuckle sandwich in your mouth,” Latifah stated. “That’s where my Jersey roots come out!”
OK, you’ve been warned.
