In August it was reported that Queen Latifah was set to receive the Marian Anderson Award for philanthropy in Philadelphia at this year's annual ceremonies. However, in a new development, the organization has revealed that Latifah will not be accepting the award this year due to "personal reasons."
"The Marian Anderson Award will be rescheduling its 2018 Marian Anderson Award Gala originally scheduled for November 20, as Queen Latifah is unable to accept this year due to personal reasons," writes the foundation. "We look forward to honoring her in the future. A new date and other details will be announced shortly. Single tickets for the November 20 Gala Concert will be honored on the new date."
Queen Latifah was expected to join the ranks of past recipients that include Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Jon Bon Jovi, Dionne Warwick, Elizabeth Taylor, and Patti LaBelle to become the youngest ever to receive the award. It would have arrived on the heels of her hosting gig on BET's annual Black Girls Rock awards show in which notable Black women are honored and recognized.
"Queen Latifah is an excellent role model and clearly a well-deserving recipient of this prestigious honor," Mayor Jim Kenney told the Philadelphia Enquirer previously. "I can't think of anyone more vibrant and responsive."