Why Queen Latifah Is 'Exploring' Adoption

"I've wanted to adopt since I was 18," she told Jet magazine.

ByABC News
April 1, 2014, 11:18 AM
Queen Latifah is pictured on March 29, 2014 in Las Vegas.
Queen Latifah is pictured on March 29, 2014 in Las Vegas.
Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

April 1, 2014 -- Queen Latifah is notoriously quiet about her love life, but she's not afraid to say that she wants to start her own family.

The daytime talk show host revealed in the April issue of Jet magazine that she's thinking of expanding her family through adoption.

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"It's something I'm exploring," Latifah said. "I've wanted to adopt since I was 18 because I grew up with friends who could've used good parents. Maybe it's my romanticism of after-school specials where someone would adopt a child and life would be great afterward. I have a lot of love to give."

The 44-year-old actress says her mother, Rita, provided the perfect example of how to raise children.

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"Thank God I was blessed to have the kind of mother she is. She taught me about how to be a lady, but also how to be independent," Latifah explained. "She taught me things I should never allow a man to do, like put his hands on me. She gave me everything a girl needs to inspire confidence."

Confident is a good word to describe the actress, who is currently focusing on her self-titled syndicated daytime talk show, which she's determined to make successful. She's also working on music and looking into another possible stint on Broadway. And, like most people, she's looking forward to a much-needed vacation -- at some point.

"During my hiatus, if I need to relax, decompress or just live life then that's exactly what I'll do," she said.