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QUEEN LATIFAH CEMENTS HER STARDOM

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5 JANUARY 2006

Queen Latifah became a member of Tinseltown royalty on Wednesday afternoon when she was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The renowned hip-hop artist, who picked up an Oscar nomination for her role in Chicago, became the first person of 2006 to receive a plaque on the famous walkway.

With her parents Lance and Rita looking on, the 35-year-old shouted her delight as the star was unveiled. "I think the reason I am here is to inspire African-American women who are rappers, and full-figured women, to know that they can do it too," she declared.

Born Dana Owens, the New Jersey native had established herself as one of urban music's leading lights by her early 20s. She went on to release a string of hit albums, before making inroads into the movie industry with flicks like Hoodlum, The Bone Collector and Sphere.

More recently the statuesque performer, who is often dubbed "the first lady of rap", has made the move into producing, while also picking up a lucrative modelling contract with CoverGirl cosmetics. "Who would have known that in the Seventies, when a pink 8lb baby girl was born, this is where she would be today," said her mother Rita. "She came out screaming, 'Look out world, here I come'."