Queen Latifah is poised to host the American Music Awards this Monday night. The last and only time she served as host was in 1995, alongside Tom Jones and country singer Lorrie Morgan.
“It’s been a long time, but it was exciting then and it’s exciting now,” Latifah reflects. “I’m a bit of a different person now, but we still have to make it as lively as we did back then.”
Taylor Swift leads the event with eight nominations.
“I don’t know if I call myself a Swiftie, but I’m definitely a fan of Taylor Swift,” Latifah says. “I’ve always been. I think she creates great, catchy songs that we all love.” Latifah is not surprised by Swift’s success.
“She managed to get her records played on the radio. That’s the first step. Can you get your record played?” Latifah explains. “Once her records were on the air, many girls who resembled her connected with those songs. She wrote about what many young girls were feeling, and young people in general. Moreover, as you hear her speak, she comes across as someone who wants to support others rather than belittle them.”
Are you going to perform during the show?
This isn’t the Queen Latifah show. It is the American Music Awards, and the talented nominees deserve to have the stage and truly shine. I’m here to support their greatness, that’s my role.
But you are American music royalty.
Thank you, but I’m always ready for anything. If a piano or guitar suddenly appears, I’m sure I can figure something out.
How do you prepare for a night like this? Do you do a deep dive on every nominee?
I can’t claim to be such a musicologist that I’m familiar with everyone’s work, but of course, I’ll listen to their music to get acquainted with those I might not know. With some artists, I realize I know their music, I just didn’t know their names. I’ll definitely get more familiar with everyone’s songs, and perhaps some of their stories—where they come from, what they’re about—as that can be very engaging too.
How many outfit changes will you have?
A girl doesn’t reveal her outfit changes, but let’s say no less than three.
What was the last song you really belted out?
I was singing in the mirror last night. There’s a girl who made this version of “I Will Survive,” and I just watched it on Instagram. Bray’s Anatomy is her name. I watched her singing with all these harmonies, and before you knew it I was singing “I Will Survive” with her.
Your last album was “Persona” in 2009. Any plans for a new album?
I am planning to release something this year. I guess I have to start sharing some of the music I’ve been holding onto on my computer for so long. I play it so much that it feels like it’s already out. I think I will actually share it with everyone this year. There’s nothing out there that sounds like me or is my style. There are bits and pieces here and there, but there’s only one me, so I think I need to release some of this music.
Will it be hip hop, jazz, soul?
It’ll be a mixture.
When will we see you in a musical again? (Latifah earned an Oscar nomination for her work as Mama Morton in 2002’s “Chicago.”)
You have to call the people and say, “When are you going to put Queen in a musical again?” They listen to you! I don’t think there’s any type of movie that I enjoy making more than a musical because, honestly, I love rehearsal. You don’t get to rehearse on everything else; you get proper rehearsal when you do a musical. And it’s wonderful to make those kinds of movies, and audiences really enjoy them when a great musical comes out.
How about a musical on Broadway?
That has been an option, so it’s always possible.
We gotta get the Jersey girl on Broadway.
I can shoot through the tunnel real quick and make it happen for the people.
Dick Clark Productions and CBS are bringing back the AMAs on Memorial Day, May 25, airing live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT. The ceremony will also be available for streaming and on-demand viewing through Paramount+.
Be sure to check out Variety‘s social channels for our red carpet coverage starting at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.
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