You name it, Queen Latifah has done it. She’s an overall rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, and producer. Throughout her career, the phenomenon has chosen a plethora of iconic roles, from her Oscar-nominated portrayal of “Matron ‘Mama’ Morton” in Chicago, to “Ellie” in the “Ice Age” film franchise, to legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the television film “Bessie”, her range show’s no limit.
The Grammy Award-winning rapper’s film career started in the early 90s when she appeared in films like House Party 2, Juice, and Jungle Fever, playing supporting roles. Latifah also famously made appearances in Will Smith’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air twice. In 1993, the Golden Globe Award-winning actress began to star in the popular television sitcom Living Single as Khadijah James, both her role and the show receiving critical acclaim.
Over the years, the Queen has transformed in various ways throughout her career, in both film and music. One of her most famous and iconic performances was her starring role as “Cleopatra ‘Cleo’ Sims” in the 1996 film Set It Off. The legendary film shows four best friends who each have gone through bouts of racism, sexism, classism, and other struggles and when they have just about had enough, decide to become bank robbers.
The role of Cleo was special in that Latifah played a mischievous lesbian who is mistreated by her boss at her cleaning gig. Although the role was flawlessly played by the “U.N.I.T.Y.” rapper, she recently admitted some difficulties surrounding her decision.
Latifah had an interview with Girlfriends star Tracee Ellis Ross and the two spoke on various topics surrounding the mogul. Ross asked the Girls Trip actress if there were “any career decisions that were particularly hard to make” to which Latifah confessed that it had to do with her role in Set It Off.
“When I got the role of amateur bank robber Cleo Sims in Set It Off, I sat down with my younger siblings and told them, ‘Listen, I’m playing a gay character,” she admitted. “Your classmates might tease you or say negative things about it. But I’m doing it because I believe I can bring positive attention to the gay African-American community, and I believe that I can do a great job as an actor.’ They understood, and when those things inevitably happened in school, they were OK with it.”
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Who could imagine Latifah regretting her decision, as the film went on to be a critical and commercial success, making over $40 million at the box office against a $9 million budget. Her portrayal of Cleo would also gain her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture, and a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award in the Best Supporting Female category.
Interestingly enough, Jada Pinkett Smith has previously stated that she originally competed for the role of Cleo, but producers felt that she would be a better fit for Stoney. Also, Brandy was offered the opportunity to play T.T. However, the role inevitably went to Kimberly Elise after the singer declined to take it.
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