ILOSM family, in case y’all haven’t heard…Queen Latifah has taken on one of her favorite roles yet: being a mother to her son. In recent years, the Queen’s been loving her journey to motherhood, as well as discussing her desire to start a family, and why she chooses to keep her son away from the spotlight.
A Desire for Family
While Latifah is known for keeping her personal life on the low, she had previously openly expressed her desire to start a family. In a 2016 interview, she shared her readiness to become a mother and hinted at the possibility of a future with a little one:
“I think I’m ready… You’ll see when I’m lugging the baby on the hip that there is actually a youngin’ around here.” – Queen Latifah
For Latifah, the timing had to be right. She acknowledged that she’s a ‘late bloomer’ in some aspects of her life, and wanted to ensure that she had taken care of everything before taking on the role of motherhood.
A Lifelong Dream Fulfilled
Queen Latifah’s dreams of becoming a mother finally came true when she and her life partner — choreographer, Eboni Nichols — welcomed their now 4-year-old son, Rebel, into the world in 2019. Eboni reportedly carried their child during pregnancy. The birth of 53-year-old Queen’s first child marked a significant milestone in her life, and she confessed she wanted to have a big family, bracing motherhood wholeheartedly:
“I’ve always envisioned myself with a big family… I kind of needed to grow and mature and get everything kind of taken care of with everything before I was able to really deal with it.” – Queen Latifah
A Natural at Being a Mom
Before becoming a mother to her little mini-me, Latifah had plenty of practice in the parenting department. She shared a heartwarming story of helping two women with babies at the airport, showcasing her natural nurturing instincts. It was a glimpse into the kind of mother she would become.
“I mean I think I’m a natural at this thing.” – Queen Latifah
Keeping Her Son’s Life Private
Queen Latifah values keeping her son away from the spotlight, allowing him to have a quiet and normal childhood. In a world where celebrity children are often thrust into the public eye, Latifah’s decision to shield her son from the spotlight is a deliberate and thoughtful choice. But she and Eboni decided to take their lil’ man out for a Harlem Globetrotters game in 2023, where they sat courtside, and from the looks of it he had a blast.
A Proud Mom’s Shout-Out
When Queen Latifah received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, she took the opportunity to honor her son. In her acceptance speech, she gave him a sweet shout-out, marking the first public mention of him since becoming a mother. Latifah’s love for her son was evident in her words, and it was a momentous occasion for both her career and her role as a mother.
“Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love… Happy Pride.” – Queen Latifah
A Caregiver’s Love
Prior to welcoming her first child, Latifah had already stepped into a caregiver role, taking care of her mom, Rita Owens, after she was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2005. She spoke about the similarities between being a caregiver and being a parent, highlighting the importance of family and the moments that truly matter:
“As a caregiver — it’s just like being a parent, like some things really don’t matter… And when we go through these things together as a family, I realize, these are the important things, these are the important moments.” – Queen Latifah
Sadly, shortly before Queen became a mother, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her mother. Rita had been battling the autoimmune disease, scleroderma, and her passing left a void in Latifah’s life. She spoke fondly of her mother’s love and support, highlighting the impact her mother had on her life.
“Anyone that has ever met her knows what a bright light she was on this earth… She was always an encouragement… She believed in us as youngsters.” – Queen Latifah
Through It All…
Queen Latifah’s journey to motherhood has been filled with love, loss, and the joy of fulfilling a lifelong dream. Through it all, Latifah’s love for her son shines brightly, and her journey as a mother continues to unfold with grace and strength.
