Plus Size Role Models: Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah, or Dana Elaine Owens, is an American plus size role model. She is noted for her work in rap, singing, film and television.

Known as hip-hop's first lady, Latifah began her music career at 18, beat-boxing with the group Ladies Fresh in the late 1980's. She remained a prominent female artist in the hip-hop scene over the next decade. In 1994 she won a Grammy Award for her hit single U.N.I.T.Y.

During that time, Latifah started acting as well. From 1993 to 1998, she had a starring role in the FOX sitcom, Living Single and she first attracted notice for her role portraying a lesbian in the 1996 box office hit, Set It Off. Later Latifah gained mainstream success from the 2002 Oscar-winning musical, Chicago. Latifah was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Chicago. Since then she has had both leading and supporting roles in various genres of films.

Latifah is also a spokesperson for Cover Girl cosmetics, Curvation ladies underwear, Pizza Hut, and Jenny Craig. She has developed her own line of cosmetics for women of color, Covergirl Queen Collection.

Queen Latifah is a style icon for plus sized women. She chooses the right styles for her figure and does a great job accentuating her positive features.