Five years ago, Mo’Nique won Best Supporting Actress for "Precious," marking one of only two Oscars the indie movie won out of five nominations, and naturally you might think that only bigger and brighter things were ahead. But she hasn’t hasn’t had a movie role since, except for a part in the upcoming indie "Blackbird." So what gives? According to the actress, the industry shut her out.
For some context, during the run-up for the Oscars in 2010, Mo’Nique came under fire from some quarters for not doing enough press for the film, and even reportedly asking for money to do promotion. “…it’s like, guys, I also have this show called ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ where I tape six shows a week. I have twins who are 4, so I have babies, I have an amazing husband and a son who’s 19. What I can participate in I’m more than happy to,” she told The New York Times five years ago.
But in response to THR’s article this week, Daniels released a statement clarifying what he meant. “Mo’nique is a creative force to be reckoned with. Her demands through ‘Precious’ were not always in line with the campaign. This soured her relationship with the Hollywood community," the filmmaker said. "I consider her a friend. I have and will always think of her for parts that we can collaborate on. However, the consensus among the creative teams and powers thus far were to go another way with these roles.”
Indeeed, Mo’Nique reveals he did reach out to her since for roles, but nothing came of it. "I was offered the role in ‘The Butler‘ that Oprah Winfrey played. I was also approached by ‘Empire‘ to be on ‘Empire.’ And I was also offered the role as Richard Pryor‘s grandmother in [Daniels’ upcoming Pryor biopic]. Each of those things that he offered me was taken off the table. (Laughs.) They all just went away. But that’s just part of the business, you know? I can’t be upset at anybody, ’cause life is too good. It’s just what it is," the actress said.
Certainly a lot to mull over, and clearly there is a disconnect between Mo’Nique and the industry around her. Let us know what you think below.
Lee Daniels was on Don Lemon\’s show tonight and he clarified things. Despite her immense talents, she is apparently demanding and not a team player. That\’s not good for a "beginner." She certainly doesn\’t have the resume yet to be a diva. So even if Daniels wanted her for a project, her reputation as a diva will affect casting. She needs to find some humility and be someone people actually want to work with.
Um she was not blackballed, because of her onset demeanor – did you read the story? And Mo\’nique has been around a long time. She may need to get rid of her loser husband if anything. And Lee Daniels is full of it. If Mo\’nique was his friend and her numbers were out of whack and she didn\’t do right – he should have been a man and told her 5 years ago. And I don\’t blame her for not working for free. Promote your own damn movie – you\’re the one who will reap the benefits.
I saw Monique in a hotel lobby shortly after the Obama Inauguration. You would\’ve thought she was Michelle Obama the was carrying on in the lobby of that hotel because she didn\’t feel they were "respecting her." I just shook my head. I\’m very glad they taught her loud, arrogant a$% a thing about humility. Now go back to your twins, husband, and now-grown stepchild.
she got blackballed.. so Mel Gibson got whiteballed ??
She got the big head. I remember seeing her after winning the Oscar. She was arrogant and pompous rather than showing humility and keeping it all in stride. All she had to do was keep her big mouth shut and keep making movies and making money. She was barely on the scene and wanted to act like she had been around the block forever just because she won an Oscar. Now Hollywood is teaching her a lesson. Never bite the hand that feeds you Monique.
I don\’t know if this is exactly a race issue. I\’m a black man who used to work in production and hers is a name that came up regularly among assistants and crews alike – she is absurdly demanding. I heard the same stories about Katherine Heigl or Mike Myers and they have been seemingly shuffled away to smaller and smaller screens as well. Talent only gets you so far. You have to be a good person or at least able to make people think you are capable of being one.
I am not sure what happened behind the scenes with contracts, campaign, and Hollywood. However, I must say that it saddense to see such a great talent be pushed out because we are missing Great entertainment, African Americans s talent because we do not make up a great percentage of Hollywood as it is.