The Equalizer’s Queen Latifah and late Kristina Jones had a ‘great relationship,’ uncle reveals as show pays tribute

THE Equalizer’s Queen Latifah and late assistant Kristina Jones had a great relationship, her uncle told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview.

The Equalizer paid tribute to Kristina in the season 4 premiere episode, which aired on February 18.

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Fans have questioned what role Ms. Jones had on the crime drama, since her part was undisclosed to the public.

The U.S. Sun has learned Kristina Marie Jones of Newark, New Jersey, passed away on May 23, 2023, at the age of 53 after battling cancer.

According to her uncle, Lancelot Owens, she went by Tina and she was well-known on the set of The Equalizer.

The show's leading actress, Queen Latifah, was the closest to her and treated her like family.

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Kristina was one of Queen Latifah's assistants and she also helped the Covid team with testing at the time, per her uncle.

"She was on call for whatever Latifah wanted," Lancelot told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview.

"Sometimes she had to do different runs for her off-set. She was like her Girl Friday," referring to a woman who wore many hats.

Lancelot, who also works on the show as an advisor, went on to say that Kristina and Latifah "loved each other" and "had a great relationship."

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He continued: "Tina affected everybody [on set] with her approach and how she did everything.

"Her daily slogan was she loved everybody, even if I don't shake hands."

Lancelot shared that "everybody came together" at the time of her death and assisted as much as they could, even Queen Latifah.

"Well that's a family member... she did what she could. She was there to help," he remarked.

'GOOD PERSON'

Lancelot said Tina worked on at least two seasons of The Equalizer and, she loved her job and the people on set.

Without naming other shows and movies she worked on, Tina's uncle told The U.S. Sun that she was in the background on other sets.

He and her family were glad that the show shed light on the "good person" she was and hopes people can grow from her story.

Not only was she hands-on behind the scenes, she also was charitable off-set and volunteered at a church in the Poconos in Pennsylvania.

She helped feed the homeless and mentored young activists.

According to her obituary, her family came together to celebrate her life days after her passing.

"Tina, as she was affectionately called, was a beautiful soul who cared deeply and brought happiness to the many lives she touched," the obituary read.

MORE DRAMA

The Equalizer kicked off its fourth season on Sunday with the return of Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, Liza Lapira as Mel, Adam Goldberg as Harry and Tory Kittles as Detective Marcus Dante.

Season three ended with Robyn being held hostage by a Venezuelan rebel group, according to Paramount. 

It was revealed that her former friend Michelle - played by Ilfenesh Hadera - whom viewers thought was dead, was still alive and leading the Venezuelan group.

Latifah told Entertainment Tonight about the new season: "We are so happy to be back... and we are going to give the people what they need.

"You will get the family, the love, [and] you will get all the action you can handle. You are going to get explosions. You are going to get people diving and ducking and all that good stuff."

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At the end of the season 4 premiere, before credits rolled, a dedication title, "In Memory of Kristina Jones," paid tribute to the passing of Tina.

The Equalizer airs every Sunday at 8pm ET on CBS and can be streamed live or on-demand on Paramount+.

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