Queen Latifah is all smiles on the cover of Rolling Out magazine’s latest issue. With her latest film debuting later this week and with her popular VH1 television series making it’s way back, she has plenty of reason to be happy. In her interview with the publication, Latifah talked about how her new film, Joyful Noise is uplifting for everyday people, how music has changed her life and how she manages to stay grounded spiritually:
ON THE FILMS FOCUS ON WORKING-CLASS AMERICANS:
I think it’s always something that’s very necessary. The people in the film are dealing with the recession, personal issues and family issues. So to have God to lean upon is very important. 
Even if you are not a Christian, people can relate to the spiritual, uplifting, and inspirational aspects of the movie. When they walk out of the theater, it gives them a little hope for the future. You don’t get that in many films these days. It speaks to all ages and especially young people who are very spiritual and need movies like that to uplift them as well.
ON HOW MUSIC CHANGED HER LIFE:
It started with me writing down my thoughts and my feelings. That was important for me because my writings turned into poetry, which then turned into raps. But it started with me just writing my thoughts down. It really helped to release those feelings. It kinda kept me on a positive path and away from getting in trouble and acting out.
ON HOW HER FAITH KEEPS HER GROUNDED:
I do a lot of things that make me have to lean on Jesus. I’m definitely not perfect, but having that faith has allowed me to not become of Hollywood, of hip-hop or of the ‘hood. I step into those worlds and God quickly reminds me of what the truth really is. [Source]
Joyful Noise hits movie theaters on Friday, January 13.
( PHOTOS: Keith Major for Rolling Out )
With his television series acting debut just around the corner, Don Cheadle has been chosen to the cover this week’s issue of JET magazine. The House of Lies actor kept it light and humorous as he chatted it up with the publication about how he would play Dr. Conrad Murray if given the opportunity, how he managed 20 years of marriage and how he wishes Obama were more “gangster”:
ON PLAYING CONRAD MURRAY:
“(Conrad Murray) is actually my passion project. You hit it! I want to play Conrad Murray, but I want to do him in drag and somewhat mentally disabled because that’s what will get me my Oscar. Oh wait, for Black people you have to be like a prostitute or a gangster. I’ll do him as a prostitute and I’ll definitely get that Oscar!”
ON HIS 20 YR RELATIONSHIP W/ GIRLFRIEND BRIDGID COULTER:
“We were married in a pagan ritual,” jokes Cheadle. “No it just wasn’t planned. Our first daughter (Ayana, 17) wasn’t planned and it just happened. So we were like, we’re together. Are we supposed to get married now? After 20 years, I guess we could. It’s just never been a priority.”
ON OBAMA’S PRESIDENCY:
“I think he inherited an impossible situation. I wish he had not been so much of a consensus-seeker. I just wanted to see a more ‘gangsta’ president. Continue
Singer Jennifer Hudson is definitely making her rounds on these magazine covers. Ms. Hudson posed it up on the February 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping. Inside she talked about her new book, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down and shared how her cute 2-year-old son, David Jr. doesn’t recognize his mother in her previous pictures or movie scenes:
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ON HER SON NOT RECOGNIZING HER:
He’s never known me overweight. If he sees a clip of the old Jennifer from Dreamgirls, he doesn’t know who it is.
ON HOW MOTHERHOOD INSPIRED WEIGHT LOSS:
Everything changed the day my son was born. Motherhood brought tremendous responsibilities – none greater than the obligation I felt to get healthy and be there for my son. [...] David deserved to have a mama who could run after him without getting wounded or tired, to have a role model who could teach him to make healthy food choices. ‘I needed him to grow up with a mama who always would be there for him by caring enough about herself to take control of her health and her eating.’ [Source]
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Hudson’s weight loss success has rubbed off on the rest of her family, too: “Over 75 of them are on Weight Watchers, and they’ve lost over 2,000 pounds altogether. My cousin beat me – she’s lost 112 pounds!”
Be sure to check out a mini-preview to her upcoming interview with NBC’s Dateline’s Lester Holt, which is set to air on Sunday, January 8 at 10/9pm CST. Continue
Actress Gabrielle Union covers the newest 3D cover of ‘WMB: World’s Most Beautiful’ magazine. The magazine shot in full 3D for print and digital viewing and will be available on newsstands this week.
In related news, Gabrielle is set to host the 5th Annual BET HONORS. The show is expected air on February 13th.
