Queen Latifah Reflects on 'Chicago' Triumph, Discusses Studio Feedback: 'The Challenge Arises When It Comes From Someone Lacking Creativity and Excessive Authority'

Queen Latifah drew an enthusiastic audience at the opening session of the Red Sea Film Festival's "In Conversation" series. During her discussion with Saudi podcaster Mo Islam of The Mo Show, she took a deep dive into her journey from being a trailblazer in hip-hop to becoming an acclaimed actor and producer. Latifah reflected on the artistic environment she grew up in, noting, "My home was filled with music, art, and books. There wasnt much you couldnt do in my family." This creative foundation eventually led her to explore acting, where she found both freedom and new challenges.

She shared a pivotal moment from her film career: "Getting nominated for an Oscar for Chicago changed everything for me. It opened doors to audiences and places I never imagined." That Oscar nomination helped propel her production company toward a focus on film, giving rise to projects like Beauty Shop and Bringing Down the House, where she took on roles as both an actor and producer. Latifah spoke about her method for selecting roles: "It all starts with a solid script. Or I look for something in a character I feel I can enhance." She emphasized that many of the roles she took on "werent originally written for a woman. Wed identify something in the character, adjust the role, and then it became a film." Latifah is drawn to characters that showcase strength, even through their vulnerabilities: "Strength means someone who is overcoming adversity."

When it comes to handling studio feedback, Latifah was straightforward: "Youll always encounter resistance. The real challenge is when the feedback comes from someone with no creativity but far too much authority." Despite this, she acknowledged the importance of teamwork, stating, "Sometimes, a helpful suggestion can truly enhance the final product for the audience." She concluded her talk by encouraging fellow artists to embrace life: "Nothing can replace living fully. Thats what makes art authentic."