“I didn’t know I was a girl, initially, I had to be told that. That had to be explained to me” – Queen Latifah is embracing her “honest and genuine” identity and celebrating the “freedom” to be herself

Queen Latifah is embracing her “honest and genuine” identity and celebrating the “freedom” to be herself! During an acceptance speech at TheGrio Awards, Latifah opened up about her evolving sense of identity.

The rapper and actress reveals she “didn’t know” she a girl. Latifah said, “I didn’t know I was a girl, initially, I had to be told that. That had to be explained to me…. ‘Cause I was running around with my T-shirt off like the boys … I wanted to play the sports and all these things had to be explained to me because I was free. And so my whole life would feel like I’ve been trying to maintain my freedom to be me.”

Latifah added, “I wear these beautiful gowns and dresses because I want to, because that’s part of me. I play in the dirt, I play basketball with the boys — ’cause that’s me. I love who I love because that’s me. I know me. I know what I’ve done and what I haven’t done. I realize that life is fleeting. And you just gotta do the best you can. Be as honest and genuine as you can. Don’t go for what people are trying to tell you about yourself. It’s not true. I said, don’t go for what people are trying to tell you about yourself.”