Nina Metz: ‘Queens’ star Nadine Velazquez never intended to be an actor. Fate had other plans

CHICAGO — On the new ABC dramedy “Queens,” an all-female hip hop group from the ‘90s is poised for a comeback in middle age. A lot of life has been lived since their first brush with stardom, which has dimmed in the intervening years, and it’s not entirely clear if they’re prepared to step back into the glare of the spotlight. But is anyone ever really ready?

Created by Shondaland alum Zahir McGhee, the series premiered last month and stars Chicago native Nadine Velazquez alongside music industry veterans Eve, Brandy and Naturi Naughton.

Of the four, Velazquez — who first made her mark as a cast member on “My Name is Earl” and whose credits include everything from “The League” to “Hart of Dixie” to “Major Crimes” — is the only performer in real life who doesn’t have professional experience on the music side. “It’s