Why Was Queen Latifah's Show Cancelled?

Queen Latifah courtesy of People.com

The second time talk show host Dana Owens known as Queen Latifah, had her talk show cancelled on Friday, although repeat episodes will continue to play until Spring of 2015.

Apparently, the cancellation wasn't a surprise to the mega Hip Hop star and actress, who wrote a personal thank you note on her Facebook page, "Dear Dana," she began, addressing herself. 

"Just a little note to say Thank You…Thank you for your strong work ethic and great effort in getting The Queen Latifah Show off the ground and running. Your dedication and sacrifice was crucial to the entire team, and in the face of intense challenges, you displayed 'True Grit!' Your Family, Partners, Staff and Crew showed up with you every step of the way. Be very proud of that! Not everyone can say the same."

"You can also say you have been a blessing to and been blessed by amazing guests and incredible audiences for this show," the Oscar nominee continued. "We truly changed people's lives for the better. So… STAY POSITIVE, STAY STRONG, and most importantly, STAY OPEN… There is so much more God has in store! Lovingly, You!"

She went on to address her colleagues and collaborators, writing, "P.S. This letter is for me, my staff, my crew, and everyone who was by my side for this incredible journey. The most important thing in life is that you wake up every single day and take chances. No matter what the outcome… believe in yourself and continue to fly."

Sony Entertainment Pictures also released a formal goodbye to Queen Latifah's fans as well as the show, "We want to thank Dana, the producers and the entire staff of The Queen Latifah Show for creating a program that we are all very proud of," Sony said in a statement. "Thank you also to our terrific station partners and advertisers who supported the show."

Personally, Queen Latifah is an amazing talent who seems to excel at everything that she does; she excels at rapping because she speaks her truth with passion, she excels at acting probably because she's been through so much emotionally -- that acting is an easy seg-way to express her feelings, she excels at singing because it's naturally apart of her, she excels at modeling because she's a beauty, and she excels at hosting because she has a dynamic and charismatic personality.

However, regarding why her show may have been cancelled; talk shows can be deeply personal and can almost demand that one be completely vulnerable to ones audience -- this appears to be what Queen was lacking. She seemed to have a hard time being vulnerable while walking in her truth and yes, her show helped many people financially and physically -- and she even had a long list of celebrity friends to make surprising appearances...but it still wasn't enough for the ratings which left me wondering, did she officially/unofficially come out of the closet in order to boost her ratings? 

Did she finally allow cameras to get a sneak peek of her personal life as a last attempt to hang onto her show? 

If it was...she went about it completely wrong; my suggestion would've been for her to come out on her talk show -- to make an entire show of her coming out and maybe have on guests who also had difficult times coming out as well. This action would've showcased her vulnerability as well as her personal truth, and let's keep it real who doesn't like a great story?!

Queen is already a self-made brand all on her own and millions of people would've flocked to her talk show as a means of relating to her story. 

Wendy Williams and Ellen DeGeneres are two people that have amazing talk show ratings because both are vulnerable in their truth with (Wendy's dramatic truth and Ellen's humorous truth), as people like when they can relate to someone on various levels. 

But if you only skim the top of the surface without attempting to delve into the core, eventually people will notice and become bored -- as we all appreciate when someone or something can hold our attention long enough to pay attention.

Dana probably doesn't think of this cancellation as a failure (and rightfully so), but simply a lesson on how to get it right the next time.

Thanks for the effort Queen. 

#Onward #Upward

2014 LA

ThE sEcReT lIfE oF bEeS

Run quick and run fast everyone! This movie is a must see, for real for real. 

Having high expectations of this film, was in part due to the extraordinary cast. The movie exceeded my expectations and the lovely cast of women gave amazing performances.

With the current presidential election happening this movie couldn't have come at a better time. 

The film talks of the segregated past, slavery, and racism and shines a bright light on the fact that white America, did whatever they could to keep black people from the voting booths. I thought this to be significant, especially since stealing the American vote has always been an agenda among certain political figures, and still happens today.

Fourteen year old actress Dakota Fanning, had her first onscreen kiss -- and with a brotha! Singers Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson definitely proved themselves to be talented actresses, we already knew rapper turned actress Queen Latifah was gonna bring it home, and every time I think Sophie Okonedo can't get any better -- she takes it to another level.

This movie was excellent and besides the fact that I wished I was cast in it (smiles), I give the director Gina Prince-Bythewood and executive producer Jada Pinkett-Smith, HUGE props for making this masterpiece. 

2008 LA