You’ve seen her dominate the screen as a jazz-age warden, a tough-as-nails vigilante, and the undisputed queen of hip-hop. But for years, if you asked anyone, "does Queen Latifah have kids?" you’d basically get a shrug and a "maybe?" in response. It’s wild how someone so famous can keep their personal life under such a heavy lock and key.
Honestly, she’s the master of the "no comment."
But things have changed. If you’re looking for a straight answer: Yes, Queen Latifah has a son named Rebel. He’s around six years old now, and while she still keeps him largely out of the paparazzi's crosshairs, the "Equalizer" star has finally started letting the world in on her life as a mom.
The Mystery of Rebel and the 2021 Reveal
For the longest time, the rumors were just that—rumors. People would spot Latifah (born Dana Owens) with her longtime partner, Eboni Nichols, and the tabloids would go into a frenzy. Was there a baby? Was Eboni pregnant? Latifah didn't say a word. She’s always been very clear about one thing: her private life is hers. Back in 2008, she told The New York Times that people don't "get that part of me."
And she meant it.
Then came the 2021 BET Awards. She was up there receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award—a huge moment for any artist. She’s wrapping up this emotional speech, and right at the very end, she drops it. "Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love. Peace. Happy Pride!"
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The internet basically exploded. It was the first time she had ever publicly named her child or her partner. It wasn't a press release or a staged magazine cover. It was just a simple, "my love."
Who is Eboni Nichols?
You can't really talk about Latifah's journey to motherhood without talking about Eboni. They’ve been a "thing" since at least 2013, though they actually met back in 2009 on the set of Dancing with the Stars. Eboni isn't just "the partner," though. She’s a powerhouse choreographer who’s worked with Beyoncé and Rihanna.
The two of them have built this ultra-private fortress in New Jersey. They aren't the type to post "day in the life" TikToks or reveal every milestone. That’s probably why Rebel seems so grounded when we actually do see him.
Does Queen Latifah Have Kids? Seeing Rebel in the Wild
Lately, the "invisible" wall has been thinning just a little bit. We aren't getting daily updates, but Rebel has been spotted at a few high-profile events that show he’s definitely following in his moms' footsteps when it comes to being a sports fan.
- Courtside at the WNBA: Just this past August 2025, Latifah took Rebel to a New York Liberty game. The kid looked like he was having the time of his life. He was wearing a seafoam green Liberty jersey—the "Rebel Edition," which is honestly a perfect coincidence.
- The Paris Olympics: In 2024, they were seen in the stands in Paris, waving flags and cheering on Team USA.
- NBA Nights: He’s been seen at Lakers games too. Since Eboni was a former Laker Girl, it makes total sense that the kid is practically growing up in an arena.
Seeing them together, it's pretty obvious that Rebel is the center of her universe. In older interviews, Latifah used to call herself a "late bloomer" regarding family. She always wanted a big family, but she wanted to make sure she was ready to give a child everything they needed.
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The "Late Bloomer" and the Path to Motherhood
There’s a lot of speculation about whether she gave birth or if they adopted, but the most widely reported detail is that Eboni was seen with a baby bump in late 2018. Rebel arrived in 2019.
Latifah has spoken about adoption in the past, specifically how much she admires people who take in older children. She’s always felt that being a parent is the "most unselfish thing you could do." For her, it wasn't about having a mini-me; it was about supporting a human being as they grow into an adult.
She lost her mother, Rita Owens, in 2018. It’s a bit bittersweet to think that Rebel arrived just about a year after that loss. Latifah was incredibly close to her mom—she often called her the "love of her life." Becoming a mother herself seemed to be the next natural chapter in her life, a way to pass down all that wisdom Rita gave her.
Why She Kept Him a Secret (Mostly)
In an era where every celebrity kid has an Instagram account before they can walk, Latifah’s approach is... refreshing? Kinda?
She’s always been protective. Growing up in the spotlight since she was a teenager probably taught her that once you give the public something, you can't take it back. She wanted Rebel to have a normal childhood, or as normal as it can be when your mom is a literal Queen.
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Does she have other children?
As of 2026, Rebel is her only child. She’s hinted in the past about wanting a "big family," so who knows? Maybe there will be more Rebels running around. But for now, it’s just the three of them—Latifah, Eboni, and their son.
What This Means for Her Legacy
Queen Latifah has always been a pioneer. She was one of the first female rappers to really demand respect. She transitioned into acting and became an Oscar nominee. Now, she’s showing a different side of "having it all." She didn't follow the "standard" Hollywood timeline. She did it on her own terms, in her own time, with the person she chose.
If you’re a fan, the takeaway here is pretty simple. She’s happy. She’s a mom. And she’s still the Queen.
Ways to stay updated on Queen Latifah’s family life
If you're looking for more, don't expect a tell-all book anytime soon. Your best bet for seeing how Rebel is doing is to keep an eye on courtside photos at WNBA or NBA games. That’s clearly the family’s happy place. You can also catch her occasional mentions of "family time" in interviews for The Equalizer, though she usually pivots back to the work pretty quickly.
To understand her perspective on motherhood better, look for her 2021 BET speech on YouTube—it’s the rawest she’s ever been about her private world.