By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Queen Latifah, who is featured on 'Black Enterprise' magazine's Hollywood Power list, is ready to show the world what she has in store with 'Wifey.'
The Academy Award nominated, Grammy Award winning hip-hop superstar is making major moves with a groundbreaking new production deal with BET and Vh1.
A forthcoming show -- an hour-long drama about a newly widowed wife of a hip-hop mogul making power plays -- will premiere simultaneously on both networks.
Latifah (legally known as Dana Owens) will executive produce the show, whose pilot will be directed by BET President Reginald Hudlin and written by 'Brown Sugar' creator Michael Elliot.
Hudlin, who previously helmed 'House Party,' 'Boomerang' and 'BeBe's Kids,' offered, "This project represents a first on several levels: BET has never jointly developed or produced a program with any other network, the premiere/revenue structure is unique, and I imagine it's the first time that a network head has directed a pilot."
His most recent directing gig was the pilot for 'Everybody Hates Chris,' just a few months before he joined BET.
Maybe some of that ole black magic can rub off -- 'Everybody Hates Chris' was a runaway hit.
"I've always wanted to do a series like this," Latifah, who starred on the hit sitcom 'Living Single,' added. "My first business was the music business, so doing this show with the networks Vh1 and BET about the music industry is exciting for me. It's going to be a fun show."
Casting and airdates are forthcoming.
1. Go on Queen! You stay representing an articulate, beautiful, relatable and affirming image of an African-American female. Your community stands by you and we are all proud of you.
NAthon at 3:38PM on Feb 16th 2007