Queen Latifah is one of my favorite celebrities. When I first watched reruns of Living Single, where she played Flava Magazine publisher and journalist Khadijah James, I saw a woman with so much aura who had the best lover boys.
Throughout her career, Latifah has played characters with many love interests, including in the 2010 romantic comedy Just Wright. I know the movie received mixed reviews, but it’s one of my favorites. The triple threat shared the screen with Academy Award winner and fellow rapper Common, Paula Patton, Pam Grier, Phylicia Rashad, and James Pickens Jr., all of whom were part of the main cast.
Just Wright is a film that has me rooting against the love interest after every watch
You know you’re watching a romantic comedy from the early 2010s when you find yourself being annoyed with the male love interest. Leslie (Latifah) is a physical therapist with a good heart and a love for basketball, but has no luck finding the right guy. After helping basketball player Scott McKnight (Common), he invites her to his birthday party, and Leslie brings her godsister, Morgan (Patton), who dreams of being a lavish WAG.
Morgan has her heart set on ‘snagging’ Scott, doing all types of things to get his attention, especially acting uninterested. Eventually, they start dating and he proposes after three months (way too fast, right?!). Scott gets injured during an All-Star game, and guess who is asked to be his live-in physical therapist? Leslie!
As Leslie works tirelessly to help Scott recover, Morgan decides it’s time to end the relationship with a letter. Unmotivated and unhappy with his life, Scott starts moping, and Leslie becomes his bright spot. After spending time together, Leslie’s feelings for the athlete grow as he gets back to himself. They share an intimate moment, and all of a sudden, Morgan returns to “fix things” with Scott.
See where this is going? If you’ve watched the film before, you know what happens. Without spoiling it for those who haven’t (I said a lot already), just know Scott and Leslie’s family could’ve treated her better. The ending is a bit cheesy, but that was the recipe for a good romcom back then.
This role adds on to Queen Latifah’s versatile resume
Throughout her career, Latifah has starred in many of my favorite films, from Set It Off to Beauty Shop and the underrated Just Wright. Those roles brought more eyes to her acting abilities (plus additional roles), and now she has an Emmy and a Golden Globe. Not to mention, the Grammy winner was the first rapper to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Photo credit: Queen Latifah on Fallon Tonight in 2023/Instagram/@QueenLatifah
