Queen Latifah is gearing up to host the American Music Awards on Monday night. Her last and only time as host was in 1995 as part of a trio that included Tom Jones and country singer Laurie Morgan.
“It’s been a long time, but it was exciting then and it’s exciting now,” Latifah told me. “I’m a bit of an oddball, but I still have to play like I did back then.”
Taylor Swift led the way with eight nominations.
“I don’t know if I’d call myself a Swiftie, but I’m definitely a Taylor Swift fan,” Latifah says. “I’ve always been that way. I think she makes great songs. She makes really great, catchy songs, which we love.”
Latifah isn’t surprised at all by Swift’s star status.
“She was able to get those records played on the radio, and that’s the first step: Can you play your records?” Latifah explains. She wrote what many young girls, and by extension, young people, feel. And when I listened to her talk, she seemed like someone who would do more for the people than look down on them. ”
Will you be performing during the show?
This is not a Queen Latifah show. It’s the American Music Awards and there are some lovely people nominated and they deserve to get on stage and really rock the stage. I’m here to promote their greatness, that’s all I’m here for.
But you are American music royalty.
Thank you, but I’m always ready for anything. When you bring in a piano and a guitar appears out of nowhere, you know you’re on to something.
How do you prepare for a night like this? Have you researched every candidate in detail?
I can’t claim to be a musicologist enough to know everything about everyone, but of course I’ll play their music to familiarize myself with people I don’t know very well. I realized that with some people I didn’t know their names, but I knew their music. I’ll definitely be getting more familiar with everyone’s songs and maybe some of their stories. Because where they come from and what they sing can be very fascinating.
How many times do you change costumes?
Girls don’t tell you to change your outfit, but say at least three things.
What was the last song you really sang?
Last night I was singing in the mirror. There was a girl who made this version of “I Will Survive” and I saw it on Instagram. Blaze Anatomy is her name. I watched her sing in harmony and before I knew it I was singing “I Will Survive” with her.
Your last album was Persona in 2009. Do you have any plans for a new album?
I’m thinking of dropping something this year. I think I should at least start releasing some of the music I’ve had on my computer for a long time. I’ve been playing with it so much that I think it’s already gone. I think this year I’m going to really share that with people. There’s nothing out there that really sounds like me or has my style. There are bits and pieces here and there, but I’m the only one, so I think I need to get this music out.
Is it hip hop, jazz, soul?
It will be a mixture.
When can we see you again at the musical? (Latifah was nominated for an Oscar for playing Mama Morton in 2002’s “Chicago.”)
You have to call people and say, “When are you going to put Queen in a musical again?” They will listen to you! To be honest, I don’t think there’s any type of movie I like more than musicals because I like rehearsals. I don’t rehearse everything else, but when you’re doing a musical, you need proper rehearsal. And it’s so good to be able to make a movie like that and people love it. Audiences really enjoy it when a great musical is released.
What about Broadway musicals?
It’s optional, so you can always do it.
We need to bring Jersey Girl to Broadway.
I can quickly break through the tunnel and make it happen for people.
Dick Clark Productions and CBS will bring back the AMAs on Memorial Day, May 25th, to be broadcast live on CBS at 8pm ET and 5pm PT. The ceremony will be streamed by Paramount+ and will also be available on demand.
Also, be sure to check out Variety’s social channels for all of our coverage from the red carpet starting at 1pm PT/4pm ET.
