Queen Latifah

Jenny Craig Inc. today announced that it is a co-sponsor of Queen Latifah's 2007 Trav'lin Light tour. Queen Latifah and Jenny Craig will use the sponsorship to increase awareness about the health risks associated with obesity (e.g., diabetes) and to promote Jenny Craig's "Healthy Curves are Beautiful Curves(TM)" campaign. Queen Latifah is not currently participating in the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program, but she believes it is one of a range of ways people can reduce their weight and thereby enhance their health. Jenny Craig's CEO, Patti Larchet said "Queen Latifah is a tremendous performer with broad appeal that spans genders and races. She's also a powerful role model for women's self-reliance and self-esteem. We are proud to help bring her talent to America." Queen Latifah personally understands the severity of obesity-related illnesses -- having lost her great-grandmother to diabetes. Diabetes is named by the World Health Organization as "the global health hazard of the 21st Century" and is often a direct result of weight gain. She said "Jenny Craig's sponsorship of my tour will allow me to begin a dialogue with my fans about healthful living. My hope is to educate people on the simple nutritional steps they can take to have a positive impact on the length and quality of their lives. "Do you know," Queen Latifah added, "that by losing just 5%-7% of their body weight, an overweight person can lower their risk of developing Type II diabetes by 58%?" According to the American Diabetes Association, "nearly nine out of ten people with newly diagnosed Type II diabetes are overweight and losing that weight could better manage their diabetes." The Trav'lin Light tour will take place between September 29 and November 20th. Queen Latifah will travel across the United States, making dozens of stops at intimate venues. She will perform songs off her newest album "Trav'lin Light" along with tracks from the Great American Songbook.