Queen Latifah’s Heterosexual Romantic Comedy Bombed. Why Is She Still Hiding Her Lesbian Relationship With Jeanette Jenkins?
According to Entertainment Weekly, Queen Latifah’s heterosexual romantic comedy “Just Wright” underperformed at the box office on Friday.
The box office numbers are that “Just Wright” made less than $3 million dollars on Friday. It appears black women did not support this film. The question is why didn’t black women watch this movie since they are the target audience ?
First, everyone knows Queen Latifah is a lesbian, the woman lives in a glass closet. Perhaps the public is sick of Queen Latifah hiding her lifestyle?
Everywhere Queen Latifah goes she is always with her lesbian lover Jeanette Jenkins. So why is Queen Latifah still trying to pretend that she is straight?
Maybe the black female audience rejected Queen Latifah’s film because they won’t support a liar?
One argument is, a celebrity’s private life should not matter in relation to their work.
If people didn’t care about celebrities private lives why are tabloids such as Us Magazine, In Touch Weekly, National Enquirer, Hello, OK, and Globe Magazine so successful? Why do tabloids make millions of dollars in profits?
Obviously, the public is intelligent enough to discern, that a celebrity’s private life relates to their public image. Queen Latifah is reticent about her lesbianism and this appears in her interviews.
The media never ask Queen Latifah about her personal life this is always off limits. Queen Latifah’s publicists probably instruct the media to not ask her questions about her lesbianism.
Meanwhile, Queen Latifah’s lying is hurting her career. The general public is very intelligent, people are not going to support a liar that always says she just hasn’t found the “right guy”.
When has Queen Latifah ever been linked to a heterosexual man? The answer is never! The reason is, Queen Latifah is not sexually attracted to men she prefers the company of other women.
So why in the year 2010, can’t Queen Latifah just come out of the closet and be a proud black lesbian woman?
Queen Latifah is very high-profile actress, she makes millions of dollars in endorsements and she wants to maintain her straight privilege.
The black audience already knows Queen Latifah is a lesbian, she simply hasn’t made a public declaration of her lesbianism.
Queen Latifah has been photographed enjoying herself at lesbian bars in New York City, hanging out with lesbian strippers, and her gay lover Jeanette Jenkins.
Since Queen Latifah lives in the glass closet, maybe the public refuse to support a closeted lesbian celebrity? Perhaps some people are thinking “why should I support this woman who lies about her private life and tries to pretend to be straight?”
It is important to point out, there are no high-profile black gays and lesbian actors out of the closet in Hollywood.
RuPaul is a drag queen, he doesn’t count as a high-profile black actor. RuPaul is a complete joke, he is a freak and a stereotype of a black gay man.
The black gay celebrities silence means they are ashamed to be gay or lesbian.
Black lesbian comedian Wanda Sykes is out of the closet but nobody cares about Wanda Sykes in the black community she is not high profile enough.
Will Queen Latifah end up like the dead black gay star Luther Vandross?
Vandross sang romantic love songs for straight black audiences, he also sold millions of records, won multiple Grammy Awards, and had sell out tours.
Luther Vandross also lived a lie.
Luther Vandross was gay, he kept his homosexuality a secret until the day he died. Luther Vandross life was a tragedy, because he thought if he did come out black people would stop supporting his career.
Is this still true? Will black people not support a high profile black gay and lesbian celebrity? The reticence of hollywood A list black gays and lesbians is very disturbing.
It is very discouraging that Queen Latifah refuses to come out. Queen Latifah claims she is a role model for black women. Maybe, some black women are tired of Queen Latifah’s deception about her lesbianism?
Tyler Perry is rumoured to be homosexual, but the black audience supports him. Why do black people support Tyler Perry and not Queen Latifah?
Perry has never been linked to a heterosexual black woman he just hangs out with Oprah and Gayle.
Another possibility, Just Wright bombed is because the movie’s writing, plot, and storyline is boring, stupid, and uninspired. The trailer tells the whole film so what is the point watching it?
Maybe some black women decided to save their money and they will watch this film on DVD?
A third reason this film bombed, Queen Latifah is not “feminine” enough to carry the film. Queen Latifah comes across as an assertive, butch lesbian, and this probably turned off the heterosexual black female audience.
Black women want to see a “feminine” black woman in a leading lady role not a closeted lesbian that is too afraid to come out of the closet. Perhaps, if Queen Latifah was more honest about her personal life she would garner more support from the public?
I used to be a fan of Queen Latifah, but I will never support her movies, her CDs, or her anything she does in the entertainment industry. Queen Latifah she is a such a disgrace to the black gay and lesbian community!
45 responses to “Queen Latifah’s Heterosexual Romantic Comedy Bombed. Why Is She Still Hiding Her Lesbian Relationship With Jeanette Jenkins?”
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- - Monday , May 17 , 2010
Gayblackcanada 
Well, I am going to watch it today. It looks like a nice little story and trust me, I don’t watch chick flicks. I guess because it isn’t the usual Hollywood crap, I am intrigued. It bombed because the general masses don’t watch black movies. I am not a big Queen Latifah fan but I will give it a try.
Wanda Sikes is not funny at all. I can watch her for hours and not crack a grin.
Colette, I have a question, why do black people support Tyler Perry’s heterosexual romantic comedies and not Queen Latifah’s movies?
Tyler Perry makes heterosexual romantic comedies specifically for black women and they support him.
I think there are several reasons for Perry’s success: first his long history of traveling stage plays which targeted the black community when no one else did; his movies have large ensemble casts with popular actors; and yes, he targets a specific audience.
Queens Latifah has had a lot of box office success. Last Holiday, Beauty Shop, and Bring Down the House (groan) did very well in the box office.
It is hard to compete with Iron Man 2 this weekend. I saw Just Wright and it was very cute. A bit corny though, but I enjoyed it. Common needs to take acting classes. I thought Latifah was very charming.
Hi Collete, thanks for your analysis and answer about Queen Latifah.
I haven’t seen the movie yet but I am going to see it. I have been a fan of Queen Latifah since Living Single days. I wouldn’t care either way if she was Gay or Straight it’s her life and if she wants to keep that private she has that right. I watched on BET the premier the week before the movie hit theaters and watching the interview with Queen Latifah, Phylisha Rashad and Common made me want to see it even more. i think the story line is good and the fact Latifah is the leading lady instead of a more stereotype female (slim waist, long hair, girly girl) says to the BBW out there they too can find love.
I wish I could have checked all of the above on the poll but I chose the lst statemanet.
I had a discussion with my l7 year old son, he knows I support Black films when they first come to the theaters and wondered why I wasn’t going to see this one.
I explained to him my reason was simple, as a woman I do not want to see a undeclared gay woman trying to act…like a heterosexual.
Now there are probably many, many in Hollywood who maybe fooling some of us…but Queen Latifah isn’t one of them.
But you know, it’s even more than just her trying to act hetero ( which in my opinion she just is not pulling off).
I told my son that in 2010 when so many young lesbian girls are looking for and needing positive lesbian role models, it is disappointing to me that a high profile Black woman like QL choses to perpetuate deception… The Dark Ages are over…
Now, maybe she doesn’t think she is a role model and perhaps doesn’t want to be one but it comes with the territory…so man-up Latifah…lol.
Help your young fans to be free to be who they are…
Freedom won’t kill ya…it will just make you STRONGER…
I agree Queen Latifah is fooling nobody she is a lesbian and she should come out of the closet. I believe it is a disgrace that Queen Latifah is hiding her lesbianism. Queen Latifah can be a role model for the black gay and lesbian community yet she chooses to hide. I feel sorry for gay people that hide in the closet because being in the closet means you are ashamed of yourself. Being a closet case means you have something to hide and are not living your life truthfullly as a gay person.
Ditto…
Life is difficult enough and doesn’t last that long. Art Linkletter who passed away today may have lived to be 97 years old would probably would say life went by to fast…lol
WHY NOT BE HAPPY BEING YOU EVERYDAY…
All the pretense is INSANE…
Young gay people don’t need to be ashamed but ACCEPTED.
I hope Queen Latifah somehow reads your article, poll and comments…I think you are on Point…
Yes, it is sad and pathetic that some gay people in the western world hide in the closet. I can understand if people from third world countries have to hide in the closet. In some developing nations, coming out as gay is a huge risk. However, in the western world there is no excuse for gay people to hide in the closet. I feel sorry for these closet cases because the silence and the shame only adds to their grief.
First of all, I do not ‘know’ if Tyler or Queen Latifah are homosexual (and it’s NOT for me or anyone else to “push them out of the closet”, in order to prove me or anyone else right by today’s standards), but it seems like this ‘title’ is given to those persons who also wish to “keep their private lives private” (celebrity and non), whether or not they ‘might’ seem to have gay tendencies.
It’s absolutely amazing how these ‘labels’ float around, mainly by persons whom it seems have nothing else better to do with their lives, I’ve had many single friends with NO male or female parteners go through the same thing (some who just wanted to be on there own, and who thank God could care less what others thought about them.). So, what’s written here is nothing new.
I guess ‘labeling’ seems alright, as long as it doesn’t apply to the person(s) doing the ‘finger-pointing’. As the saying goes, “can’t we ALL just get along” (despite our differences)??
May God/Jesus have mercy on us poor, messed up humans. “Learn how to pray for folks, rather than tearing them down”.
Bea K you need to look at the new fresh pictures of Queen Latifah and her lesbian lover Jeanette Jenkins in a close embrace. Jeanette’s hand is on Queen’s ass. Queen Latifah and Jeanette are lesbian lovers but she should come out of the closet and stop hiding.
my goodness gay people stay trying to out somebody. queen latifah is NOT GAY she and jenine were playing with the camera crew because they knew they were being watched. did you see them kiss or anything? of course not. leave her alone she loves men not women.
i agree Bea K, even if Queen Latifah is a lesbian (which I HIGHLY doubt btw) thats her business and if she decides that’s not a part of her life she wants to share who are we to judge that?
“I explained to him my reason was simple, as a woman I do not want to see a undeclared gay woman trying to act…like a heterosexual.”
are you homophobic or something? every time you go to see a movie you’re paying to see people act and convince as someone else. in the case that she is gay, what would it matter that she’s playing a heterosexual? thats the entire point of her profession. and how can you say she didn’t pull it off when you admitted you didn’t even watch the movie?
because Tyler is playing a role and not live ( i hope not) ,this is the difference. people will except a role more than a life style. i don’t want to homosexual movies. you can be mad at my views or not.
i meant to say “watch a homosexual movie”
I think it’s EASY to tell someone gay to come out the closet and tell the truth about their homosexuality, but UNLESS you ARE gay, you truly don’t understand what its like having to live with the problems and isolation that comes along with being OUT …being gay in the black community is not as socially acceptable as it is in the white community; our ancestors instilled in us the idea of the black church, men taking care of their families and being homosexual as taboo, thus even as time passes those deep rooted thoughts and ideas are still VERY present and if its hard for a non-celebrity to come out, I can only imagine what a high profile actress like Queen has to deal with..so just give her break guys..she is afraid and she has a right to be concerned about our status and how she will be accepted if she comes out…
meant to say “her” status
Medschool I am black and gay and I understand that coming out is harder for black gays and lesbians. However, I came out of the closet and so do other black people. I just think it is very important for A list black gay and lesbian celebrities to come out and say they are proud to be gay. Everyone knows Queen Latifah is a lesbian yet she continues to deny her lesbianism. Being silent about being gay is sending the subliminal message of being shameful and feeling ashamed of oneself. Queen Latifah should come out of the closet and advance black LGBT rights!
Queen Latifah is a very successful woman and wants to remain that way. Even though I don’t think that “coming out” would hurt her career in any way, maybe that is a risk that she is not willing to take. We all make sacrifices to protect our personal interests and “coming out” is probably just not worth it to her. At this point, does it even matter? We all know she is a lesbian. She doesn’t necessarily try to hide it. We never see her with men. Some celebrities, whether they are straight or gay, simply don’t want to discuss their private lives and I respect that. It doesn’t mean she’s shameful. As long as she knows who she is and is comfortable with that, it shouldn’t matter. As long as she’s not pushing an anti-gay agenda, it’s none of my business and I could care less who she sleeps with.
Also, the argument about people not seeing the film based on her closeted homosexuality is ridiculous. How is her playing a straight role any different than a straight person playing a gay role? We go to see those movies.
Valerie I understand your opinion about Queen Latifah having a right to choose remaining in the closet. But I am wondering if you also see my perspective there are no high profile black gays and lesbians out of the closet in pop culture? The question remains why? If Ellen Degeneres, Rosie O’ Donnell, Ricky Martin, Adam Lambert are out why can’t Queen Latifah come out? Everyone loves Queen Latifah as you say so why is she hiding her lesbianism?
Valerie a celebrity’s public and private image is very important to their careers. Why do you think the tabloid magazines are a multi million dollar business? The public knows Queen Latifah is a lesbian and her film Just Wright bombed because they weren’t convinced she can play the role of a heterosexual woman. In a perfect world the private lives of celebrities should not matter but we don’t live in a perfect world.
First and foremost, I love this blog! 🙂
I completely see your perspective. Like you said, it would be a big step forward for the community if she did come out. However, at the same time I just feel like coming out is a very personal experience. It’s something you have to do when you feel comfortable and the time is right for YOU. No one should dictate that for you. And let’s face it, it’s much harder to come out as gay or lesbian in the black community than it is others. Come on now, we live in a world where even though you’re gay, you’re STILL not always accepted by other gay people simply because you’re black. I believe we all should be proud of who and what we are. I’d personally love for her to come out, but that’s easy for me to say because I don’t walk in her shoes. I don’t know her life. She’s in the public eye and has put herself in a position to be judged by the entire world.
Hello Valerie, glad you like the blog. It is true black queer people we do encounter discrimination due to race and sexual orientation so that’s an issue and to add on sexual orientation that’s another issue too. I guess I was just hoping a high profile black gay celebrity would have the courage to come out. Perhaps race is a factor as you say because I can’t think of any A list black gay stars out of the closet compared to the A list white gay stars that are out.
The writer of this article is an idiot, plain and simple. If someone is gay and choose not to wear it on their sleeves so what, there are bigger things in the world to worry about. Let’s solve the socio-economic issues in many Black communities as a starting point.
Kevin Coleman there is no need to make immature statements and name calling to advance your argument. Your comments reeks of heterosexual privilege. Homophobia is a serious issue in the black community just like poverty, racism, education, housing are also important.
As much as it may be, the great thing is that we are going to promote sexual freedom from harassment and discrimination, we must be opened the notion that Queen Latifah, Tyler Perry and others who may be in the closet about their sexuality, as their freedom to not disclose what they do SEXUALLY! We have to embrace those who are both open about their sexuality as well as those who are in the closet. They are the right as well as the freedom to disclose or not to disclose. I am afraid that the Gay Community is too much involve into the personal lives of so called Closet People. If these celebrities will NEVER want to be the spoke person(s) of sexuality or be a role model regarding sexuality. we must accept that there are those who are above coming out and speaking on the issue. We have to accept that!
Have yhu ever thought there might be a reason why she “prefers the company of other women”? She has had some pretty bad experiences with males in her life: molested at 5 and that fucked up all her relationships in her adult life. I’m not making excuses for her, all im sayin is that maybe if you’d try and see things from her view point, you’d understand.
she may be in the closet but she is happy, so let her be it doesnt matter what the world thinks because even if she comes out, as some of you wish she can, some will hate her for it even though they could see she is lesbian after all but they denying the fact. so QL should just stay in her closet if it keeps her warm and the rest of us mind own biz!
Thank you. I don’t care who she’s doing, i only care WHAT she’s doing!! I love her no matter what!
Hello Peaches I understand your argument that Queen Latifah has a right to her privacy and not disclose she is a lesbian. However, Queen Latifah isn’t hiding she is a gay she lives in a glass closet.
I don’t even understand what HER sexuality has to do with YOU or anybody else? Just because someone may have the lifestlye practices of a particular group doesn’t mean they have to be a poster child for that group due to their fame and wealth. I’m so tired of people trying to force their beliefs upon others or trying to act as if other people must live the way other people do. I have many gay friends and they don’t walk around acting like other homosexual people owe them something just because they all have the same sexual preferences. This should have been a REVIEW of the movie itself rather than a personal attack on Queen Latifah. And for the record, most romcoms in general don’t do well at the box office compared to dramas and action flicks, so keep it about the industry and not your own personal preferences.
I totally agree with u 100%. I believe that a lot of ppl in the gay community contradict themselves. Their argument is that being gay is no different and just as “normal” as being heterosexual (I’m a straight female and I believe u should love who u want) but feel that every gay person should be waving banners to let it be known that their gay. Well I don’t know any “normal” heterosexual that runs around screaming I’m straight!!!!
I didn’t see the movie because I am not a fan of “romantic comedy”, no matter who’s starring in it. With that said, when you question whether or not Black people would have supported Luther’s “coming out”, you know darn well the answer is, for most, no, they wouldn’t. I don’t know if it has anything to do with the blind belief of going to Hell that so many of us were taught growing up; that irrational fear that if you are honest with yourself, you will still be somehow punished for doing so. Face it, as a race, we can be really ignorant to things which are not commonplace or socially accepted by our community. It’s a shame and embarrassing that we STILL barely have all of our rights yet we have no problem attempting to oppress others. We seem to live to drag others down and I cram to understand this mentality. If she never comes out, that’s her business just as no one needs to know what colour bra I’m wearing or the last time I took a dump. It’s nobody’s business and has nothing to do with who I am, what I can and cannot do or if I am a good person or not. That she is happy, successful, generous, kind and healthy, everything else is irrelevant.
Who cares who a person. Love as long as they. Love
What the hell was this rant all about? I’m a heterosexual female and personally I could care less who the next person is screwing, same sex or not. It seems to me gay ppl are more harsh towards each other. Please speak 4 urself and not black woman. I’m not a big Latifah fan but it has nothing to do with her sexual preference. It’s because she sucks at playing happy azz roles. You yourself said everyone knows she’s gay. Do u seriously think she doesn’t know everyone knows she’s gay?! Maybe she’s secure enough to not feel the need to shout it from the rooftops.
Absolutely… I am straight, also, but living in New York City, I have many friends who are gay and they tell people they know but don’t walk around broadcasting their business. America has become so obsessed with celebrities that the concept of “mind your own business” has pretty much become a dead philosophy, and that’s really sad.
You know it’s really sad that people can’t seem to mind their own business!! Queen Latifah is a great actress, people love her music but just because she chooses to not talk about her personal life should be her choice. No one outside of her personal life needs to know nothing about her life. If she’s sick or celebrating something wonderful in her life then it would be great to share it with her fans for support. But outside of those reasons, gay/straight, fan/not a fan need not know what or why she chooses to share only certain aspects of her life. No one needs to share anything in their life that they don’t want to, irregardless if you are a celebrity or not! And for those of you who did not see the movie, “Just Wright” missed a really good one.
Fools shut the fuck up! I prefer gays who keep their sexual matters private not in my screen telling me whatnot! So you know she is gay why do u still want her to specifically tell u? who the heck are u? I wonder who put up this idiotic write up!…BTW how do u act heterosexual? so y’all want her to b like the overdramatizing fools? idiots mind ur damn business, you dont see polygamous men all over the place how many wives they hv, or girls with multiple lovers screaming all over the place for whoever cares to listen that they must be accepted
I bet another gay fool wrote this? y’all are simply trying too hard to garner support to have ur asses accepted, why do y’all want majorities to accept y’all anyway? live your gay lives and live others out of it!
Whats with the hate to Rupaul? Rupaul is not a freak, he is actually very talented and an inspiration to many, because of his message of peace and love. More gay people need to worry less about what other gay people do, this isnt Cuba. If Rupaul wants to wear a wig thats his prerogative and you are nobody to judge that.
With all due respect, this was of the least thought out arguments I’ve ever come across. Regardless of what you think you know about her sexuality and her love life you do no clear analysis connecting her perceived lesbianism to how bad this movie did at the box office. Regardless of how you feel about her behavior, I’m going to need you to not transpose your feelings about her onto an entire box office audience. First, most entertainment fans don’t spend time reading gossip magazines. That’s why movie studios don’t care if an actress or actor has a scandal that’s JUST being reporting on the internet blogs/message boards or in celebrity gossip magazine’s because it won’t reach the majority of movie goers. They didn’t pull this information out of their behind, they’ve RESEARCHED consumer behavior. While there are enough people who buy gossip magazines to and visit gossip blogs/sites to keep them in business they are in no way shape of form a majority of the movies market. So the general public (let alone the general black public) don’t know ANYTHING about her supposed sexual orientation.
Furthermore, I’m going to need you to not pretend to be an astute cultural/social critic and say things like “she doesn’t act straight enough to carry a comedy” or “I like TJ Holmes more than Don Lemon because he’s more masculine”. You do realize you lost all credibility as someone who understands the nuances of masculinity and sexuality with both of those comments, right? There are women who carry themselves JUST like Queen Latifah and are VERY heterosexual. It sounds as if you don’t really care about those women being represented and you assume that everyone is just as narrowed-minded as you’ve presented yourself in this post.
Also, since when is RuPaul a freak? RuPaul has, quite frankly, done more to public image of gay black individuals than most others in the public eye. Is he a freak because he makes his living wearing a dress? Again, you’re proving yourself to not exactly be the forward thinking individual you’re trying to present yourself as.
Why do people expect a gay or lesbian person to come out and confirm their sexual preferences? When heterosexuals are not ask to confirm their sexual preferences.
This article is a crock of shit. Jodie Foster lived a lie for years and her movies didn’t suffer. Elton John writes and sings love songs for women.
While I do hope she can come out and live an open life, I think you’re way off base on blaming her movie attendance on her being in the closet.
I mean, she’s an actress, after all. You suggested she was a “liar” for playing a heterosexual role. No, she isn’t. She’s an actress.
Apparently, you have trouble differentiating the two.
I still like her. I think she make some good movies.I don’t care if she gay or not. What she do in her personnal life is her business.