Inside Queen Latifah’s Quietly Powerful Relationship With Eboni Nichols: A Decade of Privacy

Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, has long been a powerful force in music, television, and film. On March 18, 2025, the multifaceted entertainer celebrated her 55th birthday, marking a significant milestone in a career that has spanned over three decades. While her impressive achievements were highlighted by fans and media outlets, the focus on her personal life remained as private as ever, particularly in regards to her relationship with choreographer and dancer Eboni Nichols.

A Milestone Celebration

March 18, 2025, saw media outlets like Global Grind and The Source reflecting on Queen Latifah’s cultural impact and trailblazing career. As her 55th birthday was met with accolades, fans and media outlets alike joined in celebrating the Queen’s journey through entertainment. However, there were no public mentions of Queen Latifah discussing Nichols on her special day, a continuation of the couple’s tendency to keep their relationship away from the spotlight.

Despite no direct statements or public acknowledgments emerging on this birthday, Queen Latifah’s past comments and rare public gestures have offered a glimpse into her relationship with Nichols. The privacy the couple maintains is consistent with Queen Latifah’s longstanding approach to sharing personal details—especially when it comes to her romantic life. As she told The New York Times in 2008, “I don’t feel like I need to share my personal life, and I don’t care if people think I’m gay or not.”

The Quiet Strength of Their Partnership

Queen Latifah and Eboni Nichols are believed to have met around 2009, with their relationship becoming public around 2013. While their relationship has largely remained out of the limelight, their rare joint public appearances reflect the strong bond they share. Notable outings include walking the red carpet at the 2024 Met Gala in coordinated Thom Browne designs, and more recently, appearing together at the 2025 Oscars and the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. These appearances suggest that, while their personal life is kept private, Nichols is undoubtedly an important figure in Queen Latifah’s life.

In keeping with her dedication to protecting their family’s privacy, Queen Latifah rarely discusses their son, Rebel, born in 2019. Rebel has been shielded from the public eye, with only a few public sightings, including a visit to Erewhon Organic Grocers in October 2022, as reported by YEN.COM.GH. In previous interviews, Queen Latifah has joked about keeping pregnancies private until after the birth, and this has held true for Rebel’s early years.

Rare Public Acknowledgments

While Queen Latifah did not publicly address her partner on her 55th birthday, she has expressed her love for Nichols in rare, heartfelt moments. During her acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 BET Awards, Queen Latifah made an emotional acknowledgment, saying, “Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love. Peace. Happy Pride!” This moment, highlighted by The Mary Sue, provided a rare public glimpse into the significance of Nichols in Queen Latifah’s life, underscoring the depth of their bond.

In 2022, Queen Latifah also spoke to The Cut about the importance of family in her life, noting that she was prioritizing time spent with Nichols and their son. Such statements, while private, underscore the central role Nichols plays in her world.

Conclusion: A Private Celebration of Love

The absence of a specific public statement from Queen Latifah regarding Eboni Nichols on her 55th birthday is perhaps unsurprising given the couple’s consistent preference for privacy. The lack of a birthday mention does not diminish the evident strength of their partnership, which continues to thrive out of the spotlight. As Queen Latifah celebrates over 30 years in the entertainment industry, it is clear that her relationship with Nichols is a cornerstone of her life—just as important to her as her groundbreaking career.