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

U-n-I-t-Y dEsCrIbEs ThE 56th aNnUaL gRaMmY aWaRdS

The 56th annual Grammy awards this year sizzled as singer Beyonce, opened the show performing her latest sexy and sultry song, "Drunk in Love."

Queen Bey tantalized the audience using her seductive moves and at times orgasmic lyrics, eliciting strong reactions from onlookers that sat with their mouths wide open and eyes bulging out of ones head. Even actor Neal Patrick Harris commented that Beyonce, "Could turn a gay man straight! Now I'm worried..."

Rapper Jay-Z joined his wife on stage contributing his artistry to her performance, and looking thoroughly pleased and sometimes shy at the spectacle that stood before him, as Beyonce was decked out in an all black leotard that displayed her very fit "ass-ets" while Jay-Z, chose to don a luxury suit and fore-go the B-boy style that made him popular. 

After the husband and wife duo exited the stage hip hop group Macklemore, went on to win the Grammy for best new artist. Social media exploded with frustration over the fact that rapper Kendrick Lamar didn't win for best new artist, and Macklemore agreed that their group shouldn't have won. When Macklemore took to the stage to accept the award, the audience barely cheered; did this solidify the relevancy of the backlash that ensued on twitter?

Newcomer to the stage Lorde (seen-r)  who won multiple

awards for her song "Royals," really gave the audience a taste of something different as she presented with passion her unique vocal ability and performance. Lorde definitely has her own swagger as her sexy accent and fluid voice swerved on top of and underneath the melodies, using soft and then strong strides at precisely the right moments. Many collaborations to come in this young artist's future?

Singers Taylor Swift and Katy Perry gave great performances as always, with amazing stage theatrics that were most entertaining. Former R&B crooner who became a bonafide rock star and acrobat, singer Pink,  enthralled the audience with another rope swaying and air gliding performance making it clear that her artistry goes way beyond her music.

Then artist Kendrick Lamar hit the stage with rock band Imagine Dragons, and thoroughly rocked out the crowd using Kendricks powerful lyrics and the bands multiple instruments. The beat knocked hard, the theatrics were through the roof, the drummers and guitarists were intense, and at one point the power of the music became so extraordinarily overwhelming that you'd think the artist themselves were about to collapse from the massive amount of energy it took to elicit such a reaction. And the face expressions of fellow artists in the audience seemed as though they were witnessing a new kind of artistry for the very first time, as this performance was extremely mind blowing. Moments like this is why art exists.

Singer/producer Pharrell (who looked like a park ranger this evening) gave a smashing performance with legendary artist Stevie Wonder, while rock singer Steven Tyler -- blew singer Smokey Robinson's song out of the water as he belted out, "You really got a hold on me!"

The show ended with rapper Macklemore performing their infamous song "Same Love," in which singer/actress and new talk show host Queen Latifah, presided over all couples (same-sex and opposite sex) that wished to be married. The couples stood within the aisles of the theater and repeated what the Queen said, and as everyone kissed -- consummating their marriage, they received a special song from the one and only Madonna. I almost thought Queen Latifah was going to bust out singing her old rap song, "U-N-I-T-Y," and that comedian Kevin Hart was going to jump on stage yelling, "I woke up like this!"

Powerful, peaceful, full of love, hope and joy, is how I would describe this years Grammy awards.

2014 LA