By Lisa Durden
Hey my sweet babies, it’s your girl Lisa Durden, back again to keep that Women’s History Month energy alive with a spotlight on the queens who aren’t just making movies, but making money moves! Today, let’s talk about another Hollywood legend shaking things up – Mo’Nique! Everybody knows, I love that Bitch Mo’Nique, cause she’s always got receipts! So, buckle up butter cups, because we’re about to spill the strong, hot Lipton tea, on how she’s been sounding the alarm about ‘The Big Pay Gap’ in Hollyweird!
I’ve heard it time and time again – “Mo is a real one.” Years ago, shortly after the movie “Precious” premiered, I met her behind the scenes of the Dr. Oz Show and her warmth and generosity were unforgettable. She greeted all of us with the biggest hugs and words of encouragement. Her authentic kindness brought women to tears. Mo’s bold generosity and respect wasn’t a surprise, however, she gives as much respect as she expects to get!
So, did Hollywood think they were gonna just play in her face and silence her?? Let’s get into it. Mo’Nique’s journey to stardom hasn’t been all glitz and glamour. She’s been slaying the game for decades, from her role on The Queens Of Comedy, to her unforgettable, powerhouse performance on the big screen in the film “Precious,” Mo’Nique has been a force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately, despite her tremendous talents, Mo has had to fight tooth and nail to get the recognition and respect she deserves. And sadly, one of the biggest battles she’s faced? You guessed it, ‘The Big Pay Gap!’
MoNique has been fighting very publicly on several financial fronts for nearly a decade! She’s been unapologetically sounding the alarm loud and proud about ‘The Big Pay Gap,’ long before it was popular or acceptable.
In fact, Mo got “whiteballed” and canceled for speaking her truth! For those of you who have selective amnesia, it all started in circa 2017 when MoNique was on the Apollo stage during her Mother’s Day stand up show, where she shocked audiences saying, ‘Mr. Lee Daniels, Mr. Tyler Perry, and Ms. Oprah Winfrey could suck my d@ck if I had one.”
Chiiiile..That clip went ultra viral! I learned later that they had all allegedly asked her to attend the Cannes Film Festival to promote ‘Precious’ for ZERO pay for the distributor Lionsgate, although she was not contractually obligated to do so…which is what sparked the drama.
Mo also called for a Netflix boycott and in 2019, she sued them for racial and gender bias, claiming that an executive at Netflix only offered her $500,000 dollars for her comedy special, while paying her white counterpart Amy Schumer $13 million dollars. But what was most disappointing to me, was that the Black community swooped down in support of the oppressor. I wasn’t surprised at prominent Black folks like Steve Harvey who gaslit MoNique, helping to orchestrate her being summarily canceled.
However, I was super disappointed in Whoopi Goldberg, because she too is a Black woman who definitely struggled to be treated fairly in Hollywood. But be real clear, I am throwing ZERO SHADE! I love love love love, Ms. Goldberg. She deserves all of the flowers, but I would be remiss if I didn’t address Mo’s 2018 appearance on The View, where the legendary Whoopi told her, “I could have called you and schooled you on what was expected.”
I was thinking…naw sis, why would you advise MoNique to take the same low pay from back in the day?? I was taught that our elders should encourage us to do better than them. So, Aunty Whoop was a little out of pocket for trying to discourage Mo, in my humble opinion. #OMGIsItOnlyMe??
In 1962, MalcolmX said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”
Fast forward, it’s 2024 and unfortunately, not much has changed. Now CBS is in the hot seat! Mrs. Hicks and her former co-star Countess Vaugh are suing the media conglomerate for fair pay for “The Parkers,” alleging that the sitcom costed under $70 million dollars to produce it’s 5 year run, which ended in 2004, but by 2009, her “husbanger” Sidney Hicks proclaimed, “we see profit participation statements that shows the program made over $700 million dollars.” Well dayum!
My Spidey sense tells me they are gonna have to run them their money, just like Netflix did when the streaming giant settled their lawsuit with Mo for an undisclosed amount and probably had to make her whole by giving her a comedy special, which she appropriately titled: “My Name Is MoNique.” And y’all know I was in the house front and center with my VIP PRESS PASS! YAAAASSS!
Mo is still keeping the block hot with her recent viral appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay Podcast, where she continued to sound the alarm about ‘The Big Pay Gap!’ Mo’Nique isn’t just a fighter; she’s a trailblazer.
So as we celebrate Mo’Nique’s legacy, let’s remember her as a warrior, a champion, and a sista who paved the way for generations to come. But her fight isn’t over, and she’s not alone.
She’s standing on the shoulders of giants like Hattie McDaniel and Eartha Kitt…paving the way for actresses like Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson, who are not backing down either! They are STANDING ON BUSINESS! Stay tuned for their stories in this four-part series, because we’re not done yet! #ClapForThat!
Lisa Durden is a prominent National Media Contributor and TV Personality, renowned for her appearances on prestigious platforms such as ABC 20/20 as an ABC News Contributor, Revolt TV’s ‘Revolt Black News,’ and Fox Soul’s ‘Being Black With Tammi Mac.’ Her contributions extend to CBS News, The Dr. Oz Show, and as an #APlusPanel Contributor on #TheOpinionZone for the former ‘Chasing News Series’ on the My9 Network. Her distinctive voice and activism echoes through her storytelling, establishing her as a vocal Social Justice Journalist and thought leader, recognized by media outlets like Newsweek, Ark Republic and Our Time Press. #ClapForThat!
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