Meet Queen Latifah's Longtime Partner – Inside Their Private Life

Even though the star is known to be quite private when it comes to her personal life, she has referenced her beloved on rare occasions and has posed with her at industry events.

She's a hip-hop legend, a Hollywood powerhouse, and an undisputed icon, but when it comes to her personal life, Queen Latifah plays by her own rules.

The actress and her beloved partner, Eboni Nichols, have been together for some time. According to several sources, the pair met in the early 2000s, but reportedly only started dating years later, and have been together ever since.

The Star's Unshakeable Wall of Privacy

Queen Latifah's steadfast commitment to keeping her personal life out of the public eye is nothing new....

In a candid 2008 interview with The New York Times, she addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding her relationships — particularly her sexuality — with a firm yet composed stance.

"I don't have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life," she said at the time, making it clear that her boundaries were non-negotiable.

"You don't get that part of me. Sorry. We're not discussing it in our meetings, we're not discussing it at Cover Girl. They don't get it, he doesn't get it," she added, gesturing toward a publicist's office.

The actress continued, "Nobody gets that. 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. Assume whatever you want. You do it anyway."

From 'Hairspray' to the Heart: The Beginning of Something Beautiful

Still, even with her unyielding dedication to privacy, details about Queen Latifah's relationship with Eboni gradually found their way into the public domain.

According to several reports, the two first crossed paths in 2009, when Latifah appeared on the results show of "Dancing With the Stars" and Eboni worked as a dancer on the show.

However, their connection may stretch back even further. In 2007, both women were involved in the film adaptation of "Hairspray," where Latifah played the memorable role of Motormouth Maybelle, while Eboni was one of the credited dancers in a scene set in Maybelle's store.

Whether or not they interacted at that time remains unknown, but it wouldn't be the last time their professional paths aligned.

By 2013, whispers began to swirl that the two were more than friends. While neither Latifah nor Eboni confirmed a relationship, sightings of the pair together became increasingly frequent, leading many to speculate that their romantic journey began that year.

Still, without public acknowledgment, their bond remained largely off the radar, just as Latifah had long intended.

Whispered Romance Turns to Silent Devotion

While the pair remained tight-lipped about their status, 2015 marked a quiet yet meaningful shift in their public presence. That year, Queen Latifah and Eboni made what many consider their unofficial red carpet debut as a couple.

The occasion was a special screening of "Bessie," hosted by Film Independent at LACMA in Los Angeles on May 9 — a fitting event, given Latifah's starring role in the HBO biopic. Standing side by side, the two exuded a natural ease and understated glamor.

Latifah, dressed in a chic black tunic with golden accents, smiled warmly beside Eboni, who wore a striking navy and coral print dress paired with orange heels.

Though neither commented publicly on their appearance together, the moment spoke volumes, offering a rare glimpse into a relationship long shielded from the spotlight.

A Baby, a Basketball Game, and a Beautiful Life

Four years after that elegant red carpet moment, Latifah and Eboni quietly embraced a new chapter in their lives — parenthood. In 2019, the couple reportedly welcomed their son, Rebel, into the world. True to form, they chose to keep this milestone as private as the rest of their relationship.

Their decision echoed Latifah's earlier remarks in a 2008 interview with SF Gate, where she had shared, "I will probably be six months pregnant before anyone knows about it, and I won't talk about the baby until after it's born."

Consistent with that sentiment, Rebel has largely remained out of the public eye, shielded from media attention. Still, on rare occasions, the family has stepped into the spotlight, offering fleeting, heartfelt glimpses into their world.

One such moment came in March 2025, when Latifah and Eboni were spotted courtside at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena. Seated beside them was their young son, Rebel, whose appearance marked a rare and tender public outing.

Though the family didn't make any formal statements, the moment captured on camera spoke volumes, not just about their unity, but about the quiet confidence with which they choose to share parts of their life, entirely on their own terms.

Long before their courtside appearance captured attention, Queen Latifah had already offered a deeply personal and public acknowledgment of her family.

In 2021, while accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards, the multi-hyphenate star took a moment during her closing remarks to honor the two people who matter most.

"Eboni. My love. Rebel. My love," she said, her voice filled with quiet emotion as she wrapped up her powerful speech. "Peace. Happy Pride." It was a rare but poignant gesture, one that resonated deeply with fans who had followed her journey for decades.

Though brief, those few words served as a meaningful affirmation of the life she's built privately, away from the spotlight, yet filled with love and intention.

Date Night Magic at the 2024 Met Gala

By the time the 2024 Met Gala arrived, Queen Latifah and Eboni had grown more comfortable sharing subtle glimpses of their life together, and they did so with charm and authenticity.

Dressed to the nines for fashion's biggest night, the couple turned heads on the red carpet before sharing a lighthearted exchange with Vogue's Emma Chamberlain during an interview that felt more like an intimate chat than a formal Q&A.

"You both look amazing," Emma began, before playfully asking if the evening doubled as a date night. Without hesitation, Latifah beamed and replied, "Well, Eboni asked me out on a date, right Eb?" Eboni laughed, chiming in, "We're going to the Met. Make it happen."

It was a refreshingly candid moment, with Latifah joking, "I wanted to be a hero in my household. And so Thom Browne invited us, and here we are." From there, the two opened up about their getting-ready routine — separate glam, shared space — and the balancing act of parenthood and red carpet prep.

A Powerhouse in Her Own Right

Beyond being Queen Latifah's longtime partner, Eboni has built an impressive career of her own in the entertainment world.

A California native and Chapman University graduate with a BFA in Theater and Dance, Eboni first found success as a dancer, performing in music videos and touring with megastars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Usher.

She later transitioned into choreography and production, becoming a respected force behind the scenes. Eboni has produced and choreographed for the Kennedy Center Honors (2022–2024), the 95th Academy Awards, and served as segment and associate producer for Quincy Jones tributes at both the Oscars and the Grammys.

Her credits also include "Freakier Friday," "Oh Happy Day!" at The Public Theater, and Jamie Foxx's special "What Had Happened Was."

Her work, which includes commercials, continues on television with shows like "Government Cheese," "Everybody's Live with John Mulaney," "FUBAR," and "BOATS." Quietly powerful in her craft, Eboni mirrors Latifah's blend of talent, grace, and a steadfast commitment to keeping what matters most — family — at the center.

Together, Always: A Love Built to Last

Together, Queen Latifah and Eboni Nichols have built a life grounded in love, respect, and quiet strength, and a lasting partnership that thrives not in the spotlight, but in the spaces they've chosen to protect and cherish as their own.