​According to Hello Magazine, Latifah and Nichols first met in 2009 on the set of Dancing with the Stars. Nichols was working as knowledgeable choreographer, and Latifah was making an look to carry out. 

While their paths had technically crossed two years earlier throughout the filming of the 2007 film Hairspray—wherein Latifah starred as Motormouth Maybelle and Nichols was a featured dancer—it was their 2009 encounter that sparked a long-lasting connection.

​Reportedly, the couple started courting in 2013 and has maintained a deeply non-public relationship for almost a decade. In 2019, they welcomed their son, Rebel. During her 2021 BET Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech,  Latifah famously confirmed their relationship.

​”Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love,” Latifah mentioned. “Peace. Happy Pride!”

​Speaking with PEOPLE, Latifah spoke about beginning a household.

“I’ve always envisioned myself with a big family. I’m a late bloomer,” Queen Latifah defined.

“I’m a late bloomer with a lot of things, and you know – nobody’s perfect…I think I kind of needed to grow and mature and get everything kind of taken care of with everything before I was able to really deal with it.”

​An acclaimed dancer, Nichols has carried out with Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Usher, and Rihanna. She’s additionally choreographed for the likes of Snoop Dogg, Estelle, and The Dream.