Was Queen Latifah’s Partner Eboni Nichols the Cause of Her Last Breakup?
Dana Elaine Owens, known professionally as Queen Latifah, is fiercely private about her love life and has downright refused to answer questions about it during interviews. For the longest time, fans suspected she was a lesbian.
When asked about it during an interview with New York Times in 2008, she made it abundantly clear she did not care what anyone thought. “I don’t care if people think I’m gay or not. Assume whatever you want. You do it anyway,” said the actress.
In another instance, she told Entertainment Tonight she never had and would never deal with questions about her personal life in public. Despite her unwillingness to talk about her love life, a lot has been said about it.
Queen Latifah Allegedly Cheated on Jeanette Jenkins
Latifah was rumored to be in a relationship with her former partner and celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins for the longest time.
The duo had been acquainted since the mid-2000s, making everyone think they would spend the rest of their lives together.
There were rumors they were engaged in 2008 and had bought a house together in Hollywood Hills in 2010. RadarOnline reported that the rumored couple was spotted embracing at Alicia Keys's yacht following the RnB artist’s wedding to producer Swizz Beatz.
But when Latifah met her current partner, Eboni Nichols, they hit it off, allegedly driving a wedge between Latifah and Jenkins.
The duo drifted apart and eventually broke up. According to Radar, Jenkins moved on with a 22-year-old named Johnny and insisted she was not a lesbian.
The news of Jenkins’ new relationship had allegedly “stung” Latifah, but she was already committed to Nichols by then.
Queen Latifah and Partner Eboni Nichols's Relationship
Although the 'U.N.I.T.Y' rapper has never talked about it, several reports claim that Latifah and Nichols have been together for almost a decade.
Latifah met Nichols on the set of Dancing With the Stars in 2009 and reportedly became official in 2013.
Latifah's partner, Eboni Nichols. (Source: Queen Latifah/Instagram)
Nichols is one of the most sought-after choreographers in Hollywood, having worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Aaliyah, and Jennifer Lopez.
She choreographed a dance routine on the sitcom Jane the Virgin and worked with Britney Spears for ‘Toxic.’
In June 2021, Latifah was honored with BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and during her acceptance speech, she shocked everyone by addressing her partner.
With tears in her eyes, she thanked everyone who had inspired her and proclaimed her love for her partner and their son.
“I thank you so much for all of you, the fans, for supporting every crazy thing you have done through the years. And thank you for making 'Equalizer' number one. Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love. Peace,” said the actress.
Since the award show, the duo has been photographed in public multiple times.
In April 2022, they were spotted in Manhattan for the opening night performance of the Broadway music Strange Loop. They seemed comfortable as they posed for the cameras with wide smiles.