Queen Latifah made the 2026 American Music Awards a family affair.
The entertainer stepped onto the red carpet Monday night alongside partner Eboni Nichols, their 6-year-old son Rebel, and Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade’s daughter Kaavia James.
Latifah, who hosted this year’s awards show, last hosted back in 1995.
“It’s been a long time, but it was exciting then and it’s exciting now,” Latifah told Variety. “I’m just a little bit different person, but you know, we still gotta get it popping like we did then.”
For years, the actress and rapper has kept much of her personal life private, especially when it came to motherhood.
Back in 2019, shortly after the death of her mother Rita Owens, Latifah quietly welcomed son Rebel. The news surprised many fans since she had rarely spoken publicly about wanting children before becoming a mom.
Latifah also publicly acknowledged Nichols and Rebel during her 2021 BET Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech.
“Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love,” she said during the emotional moment.
Queen Latifah reflected on what the past seven years of motherhood have been like for her and her partner Eboni Nichols in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight.
“[Motherhood] makes you put one foot in front of the other no matter what,” the Hustle actress said. “I’m going to leave it at that. You got to put one foot in front of the other. There’s no quitting.”
“It’s a challenge. Everything gets real. Priorities change too. You know, you realize what’s really important and who’s really important,” she continued. “And it’s tougher on other people, because when you get an actual baby, the grown people you treat like babies have to grow up, cause sorry, you can’t get that.”
“But I thank God for the tribe, for the village. It takes a village and I really am thankful for mine,” Latifah concluded.
