Photo: Ebony
Queen Latifah recently announced that she is now up for discussions about weight and wellness.
The rap icon, who gained traction during the 1980s, had her share of encounters working with entertainment – both on stage or off – in a range of sizes.
In an interview with CNN, she said that she is aware that she has been a good role model for plus-sized women because of her success in an industry that particularly inspects women – even more on how they look.
“I have felt the pressure of representation throughout my career,” she revealed to CNN. “I’m glad that I decided to be me. I’m glad I had parents who raised me with enough self-love and constantly filled me with self-esteem.”
Queen Latifah is excited to work with Novo Nordisk in their campaign to realign the conversation about obesity: weight, and health, as she hopes to radiate the spirit of empowerment.
“There has been a lot of stigma attached to that world [obesity], a lot of history to that word, a lot of ignorance attached to that word … and a lot of negativity throughout people’s lives,” she added.
The “It’s Bigger Than Me” campaign will allow Queen Latifah to travel for conversations in cities such as Houston, New York City, and Los Angeles.
Obesity rates among Americans continue to rise. In a recent study, four out of five Black women were obese. So, Queen Latifah said she wanted to spread awareness of the effect of obesity on health and spend less time blaming and shaming themselves for their body size.
She stated that she has fought to have a change in perspective over the past years.
The Equalizer star said she had witnessed artists who have been one size before launching music only to rapidly transform their bodies when it’s time to promote their new releases that have become massive hits.
“When you’re someone that’s looking at that, it’s like ‘Ok, is this what I need to do next time I drop this album,'” she stated. “So, I contemplated that, and it really made me have a conversation with myself.”
Queen Latifah, who has lost a loved one due to obesity complications, stated that she has always considered the term to refer to someone who weighs hundreds of pounds and is immobilized.
Therefore, she was surprised to learn from her trainer that she would be obese at one point. However, Queen Latifah stated that she’s okay with answering questions regarding her own weight journey on tour to divulge it all.
“One of the scariest things is watching people secretly do surgeries,” she stated of those who have been hesitant to disclose their weight journey to the public. “Because a lot of people feel alone when it comes to this topic. They deal with their emotions alone, they feel alone.”
The star wants to urge people to speak to their doctors and take the wheels to their health.
“Information is power,” she stated.
