Queen Latifah Covers 'Essence' Magazine's November Issue, Shares Her Secret To Success

For Essence's November career issue, the magazine invited a quintessential Renaissance woman to guest edit their pages: Queen Latifah. The singer, actress, CEO and daytime TV talk show host owns a Grammy and a Golden Globe, as well as an Oscar nomination for her decades of work. In an exclusive interview with Essence, the star shared her secret to success and how she juggles so many careers.

"I'm one of those people who has to stretch," she told Essence writer Audrey Edwards, "or I get bored, and I'm easily bored."

Currently keeping Latifah busy is a partnership with BET to produce original programming on the Centric channel through her entertainment company Flavor Unit. The channel will reprise the hit series Living Single as well as The Queen Latifah Show, but Latifah is most excited about creating and developing new programming for black women.

In regards to the partnership, BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra Lee said, "We are thrilled to be working once again with Flavor Unit Entertainment and Queen Latifah. She does it all and we are happy to have her join us as a creative force as we continue to grow Centric into a premiere destination for African-American women. We couldn't be more excited about what's ahead."

The 44-year-old actress will also portray 1920s blues singer Bessie Smith in an upcoming HBO biopic.

"She influenced rock 'n' roll, with an effect on everybody from Mick Jagger to Janis Joplin," she explained. "She was the first black performer to appear before an integrated audience. She chased away Ku Klux Klansmen when they tried to set fire to a tent where she was performing."

Latifah also mentioned she'll be taking The Queen Latifah Show in new and exciting directions. Now in its second season, she's happy with its successful ratings and how the community has embraced it, but she wants more from it.

"I want it to be a hit on my terms," she said.

Click here to read full story. Essence's November issue is on newsstands now.