Queen Latifah Surprises College Student With Hollywood-Worthy Gift

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — On Wednesday's "Queen Latifah Show," it was college student LuLu Favela who got the royal treatment.

The young college student has overcome adversity and shares her experience and advice to help other young women. She is a mentor with the group Step-Up, an organization that helps at-risk girls stay career-focused and college-bound.

CBS2's Stephanie Simmons was there when the Queen held court and surprised Favela with a beauty makeover from CoverGirl and tickets to show off the red-carpet looks at Friday's Hollywood Film Awards, conveniently being hosted by Latifah herself.

Favela, 20, grew up in South Central LA raised by a single mother.

When she was young, Favela lost her brother to gang violence.

"If it wasn't for Step-Up," she says, "I honestly don't know where I'd be right now."

She's a junior at Cal State Northridge studying for a degree in communications.

Because she goes to school and works full time, the talk show wanted to give Favela a nice surprise for her efforts.

"They picked me up in a limo," Favela says. "I've never had that. They gave me the full red-carpet treatment. I felt like a celebrity."