Queen Latifah |

She's been on a mission to lose weight -- and Queen Latifah has done it! The formerly plus-sized singer/actress is sharing her weight loss secrets in a series of webisodes for Jenny Craig that reveal her post-diet bod. Click here to see the amazing transformation!
In June, Queen told us she'd already lost 5% of her body fat since following the program -- but she's doing it to be healthy, not skinny. Then in January, she told "Extra," "I would never have made it this far if I tried to be like everybody else. If I worry about trying to fit in someone else's mold, you are not going to like the person I become."

Former "American Idol" contestant Paris Bennett, 19, is preggers and due to deliver a girl this fall, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune, making five generations in her musical family.
The baby daddy is choosing to "not to be in the public eye" and has not been named, but they plan to marry. Queen Latifah may attend the August baby shower. Miss Bennett will name the girl Egypt, according to her MySpace page.
The big-voiced Princess P will be 20 when the baby arrives -- and her mother, Jamecia Bennett, is overjoyed, saying, "I'm proud of how she did it. I was 16 when I got pregnant... she has a ring!"
Paris' grandmother is R&B/Gospel star Ann Nesby.
"Jenny Craig" spokeswomen Valerie Bertinelli and Queen Latifah have been showing off their new bodies -- after each slimmed down on their weight loss plans!

The former child star has lost the most weight so far, shedding 40 pounds from her frame. The "Mad Money" star is catching up to Bertinelli though -- the Queen has already lost 5% of her body fat since enrolling in the program.
Denzel Washington won big at the 39th annual NAACP Image Awards last night, taking top acting honors for "The Great Debaters" and celebrating the film's win as outstounding motion picture.
The period drama, which Denzel directed, also scored acting wins for Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whitaker.
"I'm happy for everybody up here," Denzel said on stage at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. "I'm very grateful for this one, but in particular, just happy that some of these young people are recognized for their work."
Janet Jackson was also a big winner last night, taking the supporting actress trophy for Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" Perry's "House of Payne" television series also won outstanding comedy series.
Other major winners in TV were "Life Support," "Ugly Betty" and "Grey's Anatomy," with a win for Chandra Wilson for outstanding supporting actress.
Alicia Keys took home four awards, including outstanding music video, song, album and the oustanding female artist award.
Stevie Wonder was inducted in to the Awards' Hall of Fame and Aretha Franklin received the Vanguard Award.
Complete winners list:
Daniel Day-Lewis beat out George Clooney and took home Best Actor in a star-studded SAG awards ceremony that gave a serious boost to a sagging awards season.
With a waiver from the WGA, the stars brought the glitz and glamour back to the red carpet despite a downpour outside the Shrine Auditorium in L.A.
Acting legend Julie Christie beat out Angelina Jolie for Best Actress, while "No Country For Old Men" took the Best Picture honors.
As for "The Sopranos," the hits just keep on coming for America's favorite mobsters.
The HBO mob drama scored acting wins for both James Gandolfini and Edie Falco, as well as Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama.
The full list of winners:
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: "No Country For Old Men"
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood"
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Julie Christie, "Away From Her"
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Queen Latifah for "Life Support"
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Ruby Dee, "American Gangster"
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"Extra" has learned that the Academy Awards will not receive a waiver from the WGA. That means the Oscars will be picketed - and stars will likely not pass the picket lines.
"Extra's" Jerry Penacoli went one-on-one with the WGA-West President, Patric M. Verrone, and discussed the status of negotiations. If the Oscars do take place, Verrone said it seems "likely" that there will be picketing at the event, although it hasn't been "decided affirmatively."
The WGA is hoping to make an agreement with ABC before the show. Same goes for CBS with the the Grammy Awards.
Verrone told "Extra" that the fate of the Grammys is still undecided. "That decision hasn't been made [to grant a waiver]. Anything is possible. What's most likely to get the Grammys and Oscars on the air is a contract," he said.
When asked where the negotiations are in this strike, Verrone responded, "The conglomerates aren't talking to us. We're talking to dozens of independent companies. We're hoping that we get a call sooner, rather than later, from some of the majors. Until we do, we're just going to continue making some of these independent agreements that are putting people back to work."
George Clooney has mentioned setting up a mediation panel to help settle the strike - so will he be helping Verrone?
"I'm certainly a fan of his work. We're able to do this [negotiate]. We have been doing this with the independent companies without a mediator," he said. "I think what's needed is the resolve and determination of the conglomerates to bargain seriously and fairly...if Mr. Clooney can help us with that, we'd very much appreciate that."

Queen Latifah may have won a Golden Globe for her performance in "Life Support," but there's one thing she's still missing: the pomp and circumstance sacrificed due to the writers strike.
"To me, the Golden Globes are like one of those fun awards shows to go to," Latifah told "Extra." "There are people like Meryl [Streep] and Jack [Nicholson] and Diane [Keaton] there. I'll miss it. I'll definitely miss it."
Katie Holmes is opening up about how she lives life under the intense spotlight of the paparazzi.
"What is normal for us is normal for us, and everybody has a good day and a bad day," Katie said. "I mean, we all have our days."
The 29-year-old wife and mother sat down with "Extra" and her "Mad Money" co-stars Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah to talk about their crime caper comedy. For Diane, filming the heist scenes weren't too much of a stretch!
"Long time ago, I went into Bloomingdales and I stole two belts. I felt so guilty," the legendary actress admitted. "Because then I realized the belts weren't worth it, so I mailed them back to Bloomingdales anonymously."
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The Golden Globe Awards are underway, but in a stunningly different context: Winners are being announced via press conference.
There is no red carpet, no photographers, no limos and glamorous gowns. The entire ceremony is being announced in one hour.
The Globes are the second casualty of the 10-week-old writers strike. The People's Choice Awards aired Jan. 8 in a similar news magazine format, with host Queen Latifah announcing the winners. The ceremony drew only 6 million viewers, whereas last year, it pulled in 11.3 million.
Queen Latifah has officially begun her reign as Jenny Craig's newest celebrity client, but she wants women everywhere to know that she's not doing it to fit a certain image.
"I do not want to get skinny I do not need to fit into a bikini," she said, "but a tankini could work."
Her campaign isn't about weight loss - it's about being healthy. That's why she signed on and joined the likes of Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli.
"I'm not depressed or anything, like I felt I was eating myself to death," she said. "It's not that for me."
It was a cold night in Westwood but Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes brought the heat tonight for the premiere of her new movie, "Mad Money."
Katie strolled the red carpet in a silver beaded Armani, perfectly complementing her infamous bob.
"I enjoy the cut because it's very easy," Katie told "Extra."
Tom caressed her lower back and kissed her passionately on the cheek, but he soon left to sign autographs and let Katie bask in the glow of her first movie since having baby Suri.
"It gets better and better every day," Katie said about marriage to Tom.
As for Suri, "She's talking so much - more and more every day. It's beautiful to watch. And she's running around. We're painting. We're coloring. It's incredible."
So what does Katie think about seeing her toddler grow into a mini version of herself?
"I see it and then see a lot of Tom, and then I think she's her own person," Katie said.
In "Mad Money," Katie joins Diane Keaton and Queen Latifah as three women out to steal big bucks from the Federal Reserve. Latifah told "Extra" that Tom was frequently on set, bringing little Suri along.
"Yeah, all the time," she said. "He's the daddy!"

The People's Choice Awards went on as planned last night with a strike-friendly, revised format, and Johnny Depp and Reese Witherspoon have emerged the big winners.
The two won favorite male and female movie stars, though their acceptance speeches were prerecorded. Host Queen Latifah carried the show through in a newsmagazine format, directly addressing the cameras and walking around an empty stage.
"I know this show's a little different than last time," she told the viewers. "But we have what's important - you, the people, and all your favorites all night long."
Newlywed Katherine Heigl won favorite female TV star, while Justin Timberlake picked up favorite male singer.
Here's the complete list of winners:
The People's Choice Awards ceremony is being revamped in the midst of the writers strike.
As "Extra" first reported, plans to televise some form of the show on CBS on Jan. 8 are scheduled but no press is allowed and no red carpet.
Queen Latifah will act as "host" for the pre-recorded show, which will include acceptance speeches from winners via video. Winners will also answer questions emailed by fans, and there will be no live audience.
The ceremony is the first to be affected by the WGA strike.
"Obviously, we realized there are pressing issues facing the entertainment industry," said show spokeswoman Jeannie Tharrington. "Out of respect for all the people involved, we decided we would use this opportunity to use a new format."
Queen Latifah is the new spokeswoman for Jenny Craig.
"We officially confirm that Queen Latifah will join the Jenny Craig program in January," Scott Parker, Jenny Craig's Vice President of Marketing, told "Extra." "We are thrilled to have Queen Latifah support our mission of improving health by taking her first step toward achieving a more healthful lifestyle."
He added, "Queen Latifah joins forces with Jenny Craig to communicate the importance of how small lifestyle changes, in the areas of diet and exercise, can have positive effects on overall health."
Latifah, real name Dana Owens, has been vocal about not getting involved in the Hollywood image game.
In July, the "Hairspray" star, 37, told "Extra," "I lose weight when I feel like it. If the proportion size gets too big and the gym gets too infrequent then I sort of try and balance it back out. I never try to lose weight for someone else."
Queen Latifah is getting candid about her weight, and she's blasting back at those who want her to change.
The Oscar-nominated actress and rapper is also revealing why she went under the knife.
Queen Latifah was honored in her home town of Newark, New Jersey yesterday during a special premiere of "Hairspray."
After she was presented with her own special plaque on the New Jersey Walk of Fame, we caught up with the Queen and asked her if she would ever become a permanent replacement on "The View."
See her surprising reaction below!
In eight months, Katie Holmes has gone from shy girl next door to the confident wife of superstar Tom Cruise.
The change is obvious - she's wearing designer clothes, sporting a sleek bob haircut and showing off a proud new outlook on life.
Now, with baby Suri, she's gracing the cover of People Magazine and answering the question everyone wants to know: What is it like to be Mrs. Tom Cruise?
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It was a night of show-stopping surprises at the star-studded Big Apple "Hairspray" premiere, and "Extra" was right in the middle of the mayhem!
"This is wild!" Queen Latifah told us. "New York - everybody comes out!"
One of the night's biggest surprises was Mrs. Cruise, Katie Holmes.
She strolled the red carpet with her new, sleek haircut and a stunning basic black dress showing off her legs!
Queen Latifah starred alongside Katie Holmes in the upcoming film, "Mad Money," and she's telling "Extra" what it was like working with Mrs. Tom Cruise.
Plus, why she may keep the blonde wig long after her "Hairspray" premiere.
Movie theaters everywhere are about to get a lot louder thanks to Queen Latifah when she turns up the volume in "Hairspray."
But the rapper-turned-actress revealed that she almost never made it to the big screen in the first place.
"I was always that kind of kid who wanted to be involved in student government," she said. "If there was a way I could change the world, then I wanted to be involved in it."
The gowns, the glamour and the smoking hot guys!
"Extra" was right in the middle of the hottest red carpet of the summer for the BET Awards.
But no one was hotter than Beyoncé - who showed up in a heavy metal dazzler, literally!
"It's heavy, I have to balance on you guys," Beyoncé said of her 50-pound gown.
It was slime time in Hollywood on Saturday, as host Justin Timberlake made a high flying entrance at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
JT got the blimp for Favorite Male Singer, "Irreplaceable" Beyoncé won for Favorite Song and Female Singer, while we hoped Nicole Kidman, whose "Happy Feet" movie took honors, had a change of clothes on hand!
"Well, I managed to get slimed in a little way!" Kidman said.
Outside the show, Jessica Alba, Steven Spielberg and Queen Latifah were all smiles when they spotted our kid correspondent, 12-year-old Josh Flitter, by the side of our own Tanika Ray.
| Click on an image to view the Kid's Choice Awards photo gallery! | ||||
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"Extra" has your VIP ticket to the 79th Annual Academy Awards.

5:30 p.m.: This year's Oscars are officially here, and the show opens with a candid, quickly edited montage of the nominees talking about their prestigious nominations.
The evening's host, Ellen DeGeneres, starts off the show in a purple velvet suit and reminisces about her life long dream of hosting the Academy Awards.
Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig are the first presenters of the night, announcing the winner for Best Art Direction, "Pan's Labyrinth."
5:53 p.m.: Back from commercial break, Will Ferrell opens with a performance in which Jack Black and John C. Reilly join in. Definitely a crowd pleaser.
They then announce the award for Best Makeup, won by "Pan's Labyrinth's."
Ellen picks up backstage and hands the show off to "Little Miss Sunshine" starlet Abigail Breslin and Jaden Smith from "The Pursuit of Happyness," who are ADORABLE.
The two Hollywood youngsters present the award for Animated Short, won by "The Danish Poet." Okay, now they're presenting for Best Life Action Short Film, awarded to "The West Bank Story."

6:14 p.m.: Steve Carrel and Greg Kinnear take to the stage to present the award for Best Sound Editing; the Oscar went to Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman for "Letters of Iwo Jima."
6:20 p.m.: BIGGEST SHOCKER OF THE NIGHT SO FAR: Alan Arkin wins Best Supporting Actor, beating out frontrunner, "Dreamgirls" star Eddie Murphy.
A visibly shocked Arkin thanks everyone for recognizing his independent film.
6:25 p.m.: Ellen then waltzes through the crowd, and chats with "The Departed" standout Mark Wahlberg and the film's director Martin Scorsese, to whom she hands a screenplay of what she called a cross between "Big Momma's House" and "Goodfellas."
Ellen seems like quite the choice to host this year's show. Great job.
6:30 p.m.: Coming back from the commercial break, James Taylor performs "Our Town" from the hit animated film "Cars."
Melissa Etheridge follows, singing her nominated song "I Need to Wake Up," from Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
Leonardo DiCaprio then joins former Vice President Al Gore on stage (anyone else think this may be an odd combo?). The duo thanks the American public for supporting the campaign to go green and fight global warming.
6:42 p.m.: As we come back from yet another commercial break, Ellen introduces Cameron Diaz, who looks modern and funky in a white Valentino frock. Looks like the single life agrees with her.
Diaz presents the award for Best Animated Feature to "Happy Feet."

Helen Mirren and Tom Hanks introduce the films nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay.
And... "The Departed" kills off the competition, as writer William Monahan storms the stage in awe, and gets a standing ovation from a newly bald Jack Nicholson.
6:59 p.m.: Ellen hands off the stage to "Devil Wears Prada" co-stars Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway, who have rains of praise for their famous co-star Meryl Streep before presenting the award for Best Costumes. Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette" is announced as the Oscar winner.
Tom Cruise honors successful producer and philanthropist Sherry Lansing; she receives a standing ovation for her Lifetime Achievement Award.
7:10 p.m.: Ellen takes to the crowd again, and she asks Clint Eastwood to pose for a picture to put on her MySpace page, before handing the show off to former Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow.

The blonde beauty, who looks amazing in a peachy hue, announces the nominees for Achievement in Cinematography; the Oscar goes to "Pan's Labyrinth," the film's third win of the night.
7:19 p.m.: And we're back with Naomi Watts and Robert Downey Jr., who are on hand to present the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
Downey Jr. makes a reference to his own visual effects of the early 90's, alluding to his battle with drug abuse of the past before announcing "Pirates of the Caribbean" as the winner.
As we pan back to the stage, we see a glowing Nicole Kidman sitting next to husband Keith Urban... we were wondering where he was....
Clive Owen and Cate Blanchett present the award for Best Foreign Language Film; the Oscar goes to "The Lives of Others" out of Germany.
7:32 p.m.: Ellen comes back wearing a white suit, and introduces the elusive and always sexy George Clooney.
But what everyone really wants to know is what the envelope in George's hand says: who will get the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress?

"Dreamgirl" JENNIFER HUDSON! Okay, at least that one wasn't an upset. The dream year will continue for this newcomer.
7:44 p.m.: Jerry Seinfeld is alive! And he's on the Oscar stage to present the award for Outstanding Documentary Feature, won by Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
Gore gets a standing ovation, as he thanks his wife and family before encouraging everyone to fight the global warming crisis; "It's a moral issue, not a political issue," he tells the supportive crowd.
7:50 p.m.: The legendary Clint Eastwood presents an honorary Oscar to five time Academy Award nominee, composer Amian Mokomy.
The show then moves into the world premiere of Celine Dion's "I Knew I Loved You."
7:58 p.m.: We're back to Clint, who introduces the composer to the stage; and, again touching on the universal language of film, he accepts the award in his native Italian, which Eastwood translates.
8:06 p.m.: A beautiful Penelope Cruz and dapper Hugh Jackman announce the nominees for Best Original Score; "Babel" wins.

8:11 p.m.: "Spiderman" co-stars Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire present Best Screenplay; and while each story nominated this year is worthy of Oscar gold, "Little Miss Sunshine" outshines the competition.
8:20 p.m.: It's time for the highly anticipated performance from the "Dreamgirls." AMAZING. These three gals can sing.
8:28 p.m.: John Travolta and Queen Latifah team up to present the award for Best Original Song; the Oscar goes to Melissa Etheridge's "I Need to Wake Up" from "An Inconvenient Truth."
Melissa thanks Al Gore. Looks like he's the real winner tonight.
8:35 p.m.: Oscar nominee Will Smith takes his turn on the Kodak Theater stage to reveal how America can be defined through its movies; and this Oscar night, we're looking at classics produced and directed by Michael Mann.
8:40 p.m.: Kate Winslet, who shines in a mint green one-shouldered silk number, presents the Oscar for Best Film Editing; "The Departed" wins.

8:52 p.m.: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, decked out in a black suit and electric blue tie, takes the stage to present Best Actress.
And the Oscar goes to... HELEN MIRREN! All hail "The Queen!" (No surprise here.)
9:00 p.m.: Looking beautiful in navy blue, last year's Best Actress Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon presents the Oscar for Best Actor.
But Reese knows who's taking home Oscar gold, and announces "Last King of Scotland" star Forest Whitaker as the Oscar winner. Again, not a big surprise here.
Just as he did as the Golden Globes, Whitaker chokes up as he accepts his prestigious award.
9:06 p.m.: Steven Spielberg, Francis Coppola and George Lucas, the original "Three Amigos," unite to announce this year's best director. Very cool.
Will Scorsese be ignored again? NO! MARTY wins for "The Departed," and the A-list crowd rises to their feet to honor the director.
As he takes the stage he jokes, "Will you double check the envelope?" And as Scorsese exits the stage, Jack is waiting with a congratulatory hug.
9:12 p.m.: Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson have the honor of announcing the winner for Best Picture; and "The Departed" wins! Martin Scorsese, this year's Golden boy, will celebrate his win with a bang!
9:16 p.m.: Ellen closes the show with a "Good Night," as "Extra" sends our congrats to this year's Academy Award winners!
Click on an image to view arrival photos from the Oscars
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The Spears shears news was undeniably the big story at the NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas over the weekend.
Our special correspondent Summer Sanders teamed up with Carlos Diaz to ask, and sometimes hear, the question everyone wants answered.
"It may symbolize a change for her, so it may be a positive thing," Diddy suggested.
While James Denton asked, "Why, why'd she do it?"
It was a super weekend for Hollywood's hottest couples, as the stars heated up Miami for Super Bowl XLI!
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes stole the spotlight Saturday night, as the twosome danced the night away with son Connor in tow.
Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez undeniably heated things up at their block party concert with a steamy duet and fireworks display.
Happy clan Bruce Willis, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher showed up for the game decked out in Bears gear, while "Extra" spotted Justin Timberlake and John Travolta going back and forth between their luxury suites in between plays.