Queen Latifah recently opened up about entering menopause and what that journey has been like for her.

She shared how, at around age 55, she was taken by surprise when a doctor informed her she was in perimenopause—an early stage of the transition toward menopause—because she didn’t notice many classic symptoms at first.

She described feeling “pretty normal,” and only began to recognize subtle shifts after seeing her hormone numbers and realizing that weight gain, changes in temperature sensitivity, and other small signs were likely tied to this new phase of her life.

She admits that hearing the word “menopause” initially felt scary. It’s a life stage that many anticipate with uncertainty, partly because of social stigma and partly because information is often limited or misleading.

 But despite that, she says she now feels empowered and more in control of her body and her health. She recognizes that this chapter is both inevitable and natural, and believes that having knowledge, resources, and supportive people can make all the difference.

Part of her empowerment has come from being able to talk openly about things that often go unspoken. She has joined as spokesperson for a new campaign called WeightWatchers for Menopause, designed to provide holistic support for women navigating menopause—covering physical, emotional, and mental wellness, not just weight or hormones.

She stresses that menopause isn’t just a medical event but a life transition that touches many aspects of identity, self‐care, and community.

Queen Latifah also talks about what has helped her cope better. Sleep, she says, is foundational—getting a full night’s rest (she aims for eight hours or more) helps ground everything else.

Movement, proper nutrition, strengthening bones, and keeping one’s mindset positive are other pieces in her strategy. Something as simple yet joyful as riding her scooter and feeling the wind, she says, gives her mental refreshment.

She’s especially mindful of the support systems around her—friends who have already walked this path, medical professionals, and people who understand the ups and downs. Having access to reliable information and communities that normalize what many women experience has helped reduce the fear factor.

Queen Latifah emphasizes the importance of removing shame and silence around menopause. She believes talking about hormone changes, symptoms, emotional fluctuations, body changes—all of these openly—can help more women feel seen and heard.

She’s using her platform to shift the narrative from menopause as something to endure quietly to something that can be approached with dignity, agency, and even a sense of new opportunity.

She does not say that everything is easy—adjusting to the changes takes effort. Hormonal shifts can bring weight changes, different energy levels, mood shifts, altered body temperature, and more.

Queen Latifah acknowledges these are real and sometimes difficult to accept. But she frames them as part of a continuum—not an ending, but a transformation.

Her hope is that by being open, she can help dismantle stigma and help other women feel less alone. Many don’t recognize early menopause symptoms, or feel they have to struggle in silence.

Her visibility, she hopes, encourages women to seek information, to be kind to themselves, and to demand care as they would for any major life shift. She wants people—women especially—to feel empowered to make choices, whether about lifestyle changes, medical interventions, or simply how they talk about their bodies.

Ultimately, Queen Latifah’s message is that menopause doesn’t mean loss of strength or value, but a recalibration. It’s about understanding one’s body, staying curious, and caring for oneself with intention. She describes the phase not just with acceptance but with optimism—looking forward to what this next stretch of life might bring.