Queen Latifah gets Hollywood star

"I think the reason I am here is to inspire African-American women who are rappers and full-figured, to know that they can do it, too," Latifah, 35, said last Wednesday at the unveiling of the sidewalk's 2,298th star.

Family and friends cheered for Latifah -- an actress, singer, spokeswoman and producer.

Born Dana Owens, Queen Latifah made her debut in 1989 with the seminal hip-hop album All Hail the Queen. Her third album, Black Reign, earned her a Grammy award in 1994.

Her leap to TV in 1993 with the sitcom Living Single widened her appeal. She went on to star in such films as Set It Off, Bringing Down the House and 2005's Beauty Shop, which she also produced.

But it was the New Jersey native's stint as soulful prison matron Mama Morton in 2002's Chicago that earned her a supporting actress Oscar nomination and brought her singing acclaim.

Her latest release, The Dana Owens Album, a jazzy collection of blues, pop and soul classics, earned her a Grammy nomination last year.

She is also a spokeswoman for CoverGirl and its record label, CG Vibes, among other companies.

Her upcoming project is a film titled, Last Holiday, in which she plays the role of a woman with a terminal illness.