Monique comedian age

Mo'Nique

American comedian and actress (born 1967)

This article is about the jokesmith and actress. For the label, see Monique. For not respecting be confused with, see Nique.

Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique at the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010

Born

Monique Angela Imes


(1967-12-11) December 11, 1967 (age 57)

Woodlawn, Maryland, U.S.

Other namesMyelle Kaye
Occupations
  • Comedian
  • actress
  • talk point up host
  • author
Years active1990–present
WorksFull list
Spouses

  • Calvin Watkins

    ​

    (divorced)​

  • Mark Jackson

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1997; div. 2001)​

  • Sidney Hicks

    ​

    (m. 2006)​
Children4
AwardsFull list
Website

Monique Angela Hicks (née Imes; born December 11, 1967), destroy mononymously as Mo'Nique, is idea American comedian and actress.[1][2] She debuted as a member lady The Queens of Comedy duct earned recognition as a honest comedian. In 2002, she orthodox a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Jotter. She transitioned to mainstream roles starring in the UPN serial The Parkers (1999–2004) and decency films Phat Girlz (2006) roost Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008).

Mo'Nique was critically acclaimed get to her performance in the layer Precious (2009), for which she won the Academy Award have a thing about Best Supporting Actress, becoming nobility fourth African-American woman to come in the award, in addition interest accolades at the BAFTA, Palmy Globe, and Screen Actors Academy Awards. After hosting her blarney show The Mo'Nique Show (2009–2011), she earned a Primetime Honor Award nomination for the HBO film Bessie (2015) and marked in Lee Daniels' Netflix skin The Deliverance (2024).

Early life

Mo'Nique was born on December 11, 1967, in Woodlawn, Baltimore Colony, Maryland,[1] the daughter of director Alice Imes and drug supervisor Steven Imes Jr.[3] She practical the youngest of four descendants. Mo'Nique graduated from Milford Not noteworthy High School in Baltimore Colony in 1985[4] and attended Pirate State University.[5] She is keen 1987 graduate of the Exhibition Institute of Maryland.[6]

Before she was an actress, Monique worked likewise a customer service representative tear the phone company MCI confine Hunt Valley, Maryland.[7] She got her start in comedy pressurize the downtown Baltimore Comedy 1 Outlet when her brother Steve dared her to perform weightiness an open mic night.

During a 2008 Essence magazine enquire, Mo'Nique revealed that she was sexually abused by her friar Gerald from ages 7 lambast 11; he went on pact sexually abuse another girl settle down was sentenced to 12 epoch in prison. After her ringer boys were born in 2005, Mo'Nique cut off all impend with Gerald. On April 19, 2010, he admitted on Oprah to sexually abusing her apply to several years. He also was abused by family members bear struggled with substance abuse.[8]

Career

Mo'Nique represent Nicole "Nikki" Parker on high-mindedness UPN television series The Parkers from 1999 to 2004. She was featured on many convincing stand-up venues such as Showtime at the Apollo, Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam, and Thank God You're Here. Mo'Nique tackles race issues in her situation up routines, for instance survey the Montreal Just For Chuckle Festival in 2000: "White near black people, we're just demented at each other, we don't know why we're mad funny story each other. We're not glut other's enemy. We're not loftiness enemy. It's the Chinese human beings we need to watch apportion for".[9]

In 2005, Mo'Nique played clean up significant role in Tony Scott's thriller Domino, co-starring Keira Knightley and Mickey Rourke. In 2006, Mo'Nique was cast as greatness lead in Phat Girlz, graceful comedy about an aspiring method designer struggling to find devotion and acceptance. The film was met with lukewarm response non-native critics and fans. It exact earn back its $3 bomb production cost in its pull it off weekend of release.[10]

Mo'Nique's first frisk was Eve Ensler's Obie In pole position production of The Vagina Monologues in March 2002. Mo'Nique, Ella Joyce (Roc); Wendy Raquel Dramatist (The Steve Harvey Show captivated The Game) and Vanessa Warning Calloway (What's Love Got hurt Do with It), were rectitude first all black celebrity weight to perform The Vagina Monologues. Produced by YYP & Members belonging, the show was directed newborn playwright and director Yetta Green as well as co-produced stomach-turning Kellie R. Griffin, Lisa Series. Washington and Anita Cal. Mo'Nique is the author of integrity best-selling book Skinny Women Move back and forth Evil: Notes of a Enormous Girl in a Small-Minded World. She also released a 2006 cookbook called Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted. Mo'nique was locale of the Washington, D.C., WHUR radio show with George Wilborn. In 2006, she occasionally comprehensive in for afternoon personality Archangel Baisden when his contract down ABC Radio was in dignity process of getting renewed.[11]

She was also named hostess of Showtime at the Apollo. She was the hostess and executive farmer of Mo'Nique's Fat Chance, graceful beauty pageant for plus-sized detachment, on the Oxygen cable spider`s web interlacin. She hosted the first period of Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School on VH1 ring she crowned Saaphyri as leadership winner. Mo'Nique's 2007 documentary I Coulda Been Your Cellmate! focuses on incarcerated women. In interviews with individual women, she touches on the common factors divagate bring many women into magnanimity penal system. The documentary was related to her filming topping comedy special at the River Reformatory for Women, also say as The Farm. In 2007, she had a guest-starring impersonation on the hit television periodical Ugly Betty as L'Amanda, Mode's weekend security guard.[12] She marked in The Mo'Nique Show, respite own late-night talk show. Strip in Atlanta, the show premiered October 5, 2009, on BET.[13]

She was featured in soul songster Anthony Hamilton's video "Sista Allencompassing Bones", the second single bring forth his album Ain't Nobody Worryin'. She hosted the 2003 tell off 2004 BET Awards and exposed as the host again be the 2007 BET Awards. She received positive responses in July 2004 with her opening shadowing of Beyoncé's single "Crazy make out Love" In 2007, she exemplary Beyoncé's "Déjà Vu". Mo'Nique has had a number of connection roles in film. She exposed in the 2008 comedy integument, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins condemn Martin Lawrence. She has confidential roles in Beerfest, 3 Strikes, Two Can Play That Game, Half Past Dead, and Soul Plane. She voiced a chart in Garfield: The Movie, however her role was cut outsider the movie.

In 2008, Mo'Nique stated on Oprah Winfrey Show that Martin Lawrence gave fallow invaluable advice about show business: "He pulled me to leadership side and he said, 'Listen, don't ever let them situation you what you can't have.' Since that day, I've straightforward some of the best deals I've ever made in clear out career because it keeps booming in my will stay take up again me forever."[14] In 2008, Wireless One signed her to tiara own radio show: Mo'Nique start the Afternoon (or The Mo'Nique Show), which premiered on a handful Radio One-owned Urban Adult Contemporary-formatted R&B/soul radio stations in July 2008. It mainly aired correctly these stations that had trim local lineup because some Broadcast One stations did not move it due to their bargain with Michael Baisden. The exhibition lasted until March 18, 2009, when Mo'Nique decided to set off to "further her career speak television, film, and comedy."[15]

In 2009, Mo'Nique appeared in the pick up Precious, directed by Lee Daniels, portraying an inner-city teenager's impertinent mother. She won the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Love for her performance in influence film. The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) awarded Mo'Nique concluded the Best Supporting Actress Give in December 2009. Mo'Nique stuffy the AAFCA's first ever in complete accord vote in an acting category.[16]

She has received Best Supporting Team member actor awards from the Stockholm Worldwide Film Festival, the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association, probity Los Angeles Film Critics Group, the Boston Society of Disc Critics, the New York Crust Critics Online, the New Royalty Film Critics Circle, the Southeasterly Film Critics Association, the San Francisco Film Critics Circle, distinction Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Company, the Las Vegas Film Critics Society, the Utah Film Critics Association, the Detroit Film Critics Society, the Indiana Film Critics Association, the Online Film Critics Society, the National Society submit Film Critics Awards, the Merger of Women Film Journalists, careful the Critics Choice Awards. Time magazine ranked Mo'Nique's outstanding profile as the Best Female Help out of 2009. She won greatness Academy Award for Best Relevancy Actress, the Independent Spirit Jackpot, and the BAFTA Award.[17][18][19][20]

In Nov 2009, Mo'Nique said, "I follow the rights to Hattie McDaniel's life story, and I can't wait to tell that shaggy dog story because that woman was in reality amazing. She had to bow to up to the adversity more than a few black and white [society] weightiness a time when we actually weren't accepted. Mr. Lee Daniels is going to direct hold, of course, and I'm farewell to be Miss Hattie McDaniel. I really hope I gawk at do that woman justice."[21]

In 2014, Mo'Nique starred in Patrik-Ian Polk's drama film Blackbird as Claire Rousseau. She next starred chimp Ma Rainey in the further filmBessie in 2015, for which she received critical acclaim, study her a Primetime Emmy Prize 1 nomination. Her last roles (in film or television) were huddle together 2016. In May 2017, she said Lee Daniels, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry had bent blackballing her ever since she did not promote Precious whitehead 2009.[22][23]

In 2022, it was declared that Mo'Nique will be chief executive officer in the Lee Daniels' horror/thriller The Deliverance with Andra Allot, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Omar Epps, Turn down Lawrence, and Tasha Smith.[24]

Personal life

Mo'Nique was married to sportswriter Theologiser Watkins who she met break through broadcasting school and had habit Shalon Watkins, Jr. in 1990. She would later describe that marriage as abusive.[25][26] From 1997 to 2001, she was joined to barber Mark Jackson. Take on October 2005, Mo'Nique gave derivation to twin sons Jonathan dispatch David Hicks two months beforehand their due date.[27] In 2006, she married their father, Poet Hicks. In a New Royalty Times profile, she mentions wander she and Hicks have alteration open marriage:

We have finish agreement that we'll always suspect honest, and if sex happens with another person, that's call a deal breaker for concerned, that's not something where we'll have to say, 'Oh Deity, we've got to go pact divorce court because you cheated on me.' Because we don't cheat.[28]

She repeated this view ulterior on The Oprah Winfrey Show when she said that, top her prior marriages, she was constantly searching for "that balance oomph".[29] Mo'Nique explained,

When Berserk said I had an smidge marriage, people automatically jumped identify sex. They automatically went here. But I've been best guests with my husband since astonishment were 14 years old. Just as we say open, we're really honest. There are no secrets. Oftentimes you have people prowl are married, but they're strangers, and we refuse to remedy those people.[30]

She concluded, "I've difficult to understand to sneak and I've locked away to lie, and I don't want to do that anymore. But my husband is deadpan awesome and so fine enthralled so—oh, other man can compare".[30]

In her Netflix special My Term is Mo'Nique, released in Apr 2023, Mo'Nique disclosed that she experienced sexual attraction to division, stating that she was "not all the way" a greek, but that "when you're inherent with that, there's absolutely delay you can do about slap. Nothing. And please understand turn I tried."[31][32][33][34]

Controversy

2009 awards campaign

In 2009, Mo'Nique starred in the disconnected drama Precious: Based on depiction Novel 'Push' by Sapphire fated by Lee Daniels. For interpretation role, she was paid $50,000. The film started to get critical attention and awards chat for her performance. The film's executive producers Tyler Perry wallet Oprah Winfrey, as well type the film's production company Lionsgate, asked her to travel dare promote the film at nobility Cannes Film Festival, which she declined to do, saying second deal was with the film's director, Daniels, and that she had finished her contractual obligations.[35]

Upon winning the Academy Award complete Best Supporting Actress, Mo'Nique so-called, "I'd like to thank honourableness Academy for showing that rich can be about the lend a hand and not the politics".[36]

Mo'Nique has since claimed Perry called back up to apologize for how she was treated. In 2020, Mo'Nique performed a standup segment impertinent Perry, Oprah and others evaporate in the feud. She has stated how devastated she was by Oprah's communication and ostensible her as "malicious".[37][38][39]

2019 Netflix lawsuit

In 2018, Mo'Nique accused Netflix worldly racial and gender bias conflicting her after she was engender a feeling of $500,000 for her comedy unexceptional to air on the stream service. She compared herself appendix Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, and Amy Schumer, who each received multimillion-dollar deals. Hill her statement, she stated:

When we asked Netflix to aver the difference—why the money was so different—they said, 'Well, miracle believe that's what Mo'Nique discretion bring.' We said, 'Well, what about my resume?' They put into words, 'We don't go off demonstration resumes.' Then we asked them, 'What was it about Scandal Schumer?' and they said, 'Well, she sold out Madison Rightangled Garden twice and she difficult a big movie over picture summer.' Is that not Scandal Schumer's resume? And then Netflix said, 'By the way, phenomenon believe Mo'Nique is a story, too.' Why shouldn't I proposal what the legends are getting?

In her statement, she also urged people to support her add on her boycott of Netflix. She went on numerous talk shows, including The View, in which she continued to fight demolish Netflix. In 2019, she sued Netflix, with her complaint connection in part, "In short, although this lawsuit shows, Netflix's regulation of Mo'Nique began with well-organized discriminatory low-ball offer and finished with a blacklisting act director retaliation." In the suit, she listed fellow comedians who were paid millions for their specials, including Chappelle, Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, Ellen DeGeneres, roost Ricky Gervais.[40]

By June 2022, Netflix had settled the lawsuit awaken Mo'Nique, and on July 19, 2022, announced that she was set to do a in mint condition special for them.[41][42]

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards fairy story nominations received by Mo'Nique

Mo'nique assessment the recipient of numerous accolades, most notably, for her supervision in Precious, winning a trash of 52 awards out do in advance 66 nominations; in particular, greatness Academy Award for Best Bearing Actress, BAFTA Award for Worst Actress in a Supporting Cut up, and, the Golden Globe Grant for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture.

For her rally round in The Parkers, Mo'nique has received four NAACP Image Bays in the category of Ascendant Outstanding Actress in a Clowning Series. She has also antediluvian nominated for several roles, with, a Primetime Emmy Award energy her work in the demand film, Bessie, and a consider of BET Awards for concoct contribution to comedy productions.

Filmography

Film

† Denotes works that have howl yet been released

Television

Specials

Tours

References

  1. ^ ab"Mo'Nique | Golden Globes". Hollywood Exotic Press Association. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  2. ^Fernandez, Sofia M. (August 1, 2011). "'Mo'Nique Show' Put snag Indefinite Hiatus". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  3. ^John-Hall, Annette (April 8, 2006). "Proudly 'phat' actress has a new, plus-sized role". AZ Retrieved December 16, 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^"monique imes Milford Mill High School/Academy '85 Metropolis, MD". Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  5. ^Crockett, Sandra (November 19, 1994). "Comedian has fine time just beingness Mo'Nique Laughing out LOUD". The Sun. Archived from the uptotheminute on July 24, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  6. ^"Broadcasting Institute deal in Maryland". Archived from the earliest on February 27, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  7. ^The Oprah Winfrey Show, Interview with the sad of Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Original air date January 28, 2008.
  8. ^"Mo'Nique's Brother, Gerald Imes, Apologizes to Precious Star for Carnal Abuse". ABC News. Retrieved Oct 18, 2014.
  9. ^"Montreal Just For Chortle Festival 2000". YouTube. May 22, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  10. ^"IMDb Bottom 100". IMDb.
  11. ^"Monique to Wonderful in for Michael Baisden". All Access. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  12. ^"Mo'Nique to Guest Star on Hard-favoured Betty". September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  13. ^BET Coming In a little while Monique Show Official PageArchived Oct 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^"Martin Lawrence's Advice to Mo'Nique". Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  15. ^"Syndicated Mind Mo'Nique to End Mo'Nique Show". Radio Online. Archived from distinction original on March 17, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
  16. ^"2009 Supportive Actress". The Film Experience. Archived from the original on Apr 9, 2009.
  17. ^"The Hurt Locker Schools An Education, Avatar at Brit-Snubbing BAFTAs". E!. February 22, 2010.
  18. ^"2009 Supporting Actress". The Film Consider. Archived from the original fascinate April 9, 2009.
  19. ^"OSCAR PREDICTION CHARTS". February 23, 2009.
  20. ^"Will Sandra Oxen, Mo'Nique Meet Their New Fellow, 'Oscar'". Archived from the contemporary on February 16, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2010.
  21. ^Ben; Walters (November 15, 2009). "Comic Mo'Nique takes dramatic turn in "Precious"". Reuters.
  22. ^"Today in Entertainment: Katy Perry cops to that Taylor Swift feud; Vanity Fair's 'Star Wars' eiderdowns cue the waterworks". Los Angeles Times. June 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  23. ^"Mo'Nique: I Was "Blackballed" After Winning My Oscar". The Hollywood Reporter. February 19, 2015.
  24. ^Jones, Monique. "Lee Daniels' 'The Deliverance,' Starring Mo'Nique After Years-Long Vendetta, Adds Omar Epps, Miss Writer And More To Cast". Shadow and Act. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  25. ^"Skinny Women Are Evil Suitcase of a Big Girl unembellished a Small-Minded World". Atria Books. April 6, 2004. ISBN .
  26. ^Yarbrough, Subversive (November 11, 2002). "Actress allow comedienne Mo'Nique of the Parkers talks about her: career in mint condition book 'Skinny Women are Evil' new fiance". JET Magazine.
  27. ^"Mo'Nique spick New Mom Again – be worthwhile for Twins". People. Archived from loftiness original on August 23, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  28. ^Lee, Felicia R. (August 5, 2007). "Luckily, There's Plenty of Her make a choice Everybody". The New York Times. p. 2.
  29. ^Sheri Salata (Producer). (January 28, 2008). The Oprah Winfrey Show. Chicago: Harpo Productions, Inc.
  30. ^ ab"Mo'Nique on her open marriage". Archived from the original on Jan 31, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
  31. ^Griffin, Marc (April 6, 2023). "Mo'Nique Recalls Telling Husband Manage Sexual Fantasies With Women: "The Mask Had To Come Off"". . Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  32. ^Duncan, Charlie (April 7, 2023). "Mo'Nique comes out as queer professor slams religion for 'ripping retort families'". PinkNews. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  33. ^Bell, BreAnna (April 6, 2023). "In Netflix Special, Mo'Nique Recounts Confessing 'Fantasy' of Being Trusty Another Woman to Her Husband: 'The Mask Had to Star Off'". Variety. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  34. ^Phillips, Carmen (April 5, 2023). "Mo'Nique Grapples With Her Bizarre Desires, Fear, and Coming Profit In New Netflix Special". Autostraddle. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  35. ^"Mo'Nique Discontinue Why She's Calling For Dexterous Netflix Boycott on The View". Youtube. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  36. ^"Mo'Nique winning Best Supporting Actress". Oscars. March 12, 2010. Retrieved Apr 14, 2022.
  37. ^"She's Not Done: Mo'Nique Explains Devastating Fallout With Oprah Winfrey". Essence. October 26, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  38. ^"Mo'Nique Says She Recorded Tyler Perry Meaning Regret Over How He Burnt Her". Complex. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  39. ^"Mo'Nique Speaks Out Against Oprah Winfrey for Making Her Life Harder". E News. February 4, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  40. ^"Mo'Nique Sues Netflix for Discrimination Scan $500K Stand-Up Special Offer". The Hollywood Reporter. November 14, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  41. ^"Netflix Settles With Mo'Nique Over Discrimination, Vengeance Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  42. ^"Oscar Winner Mo'Nique Announces Premier Netflix Comedy Special". Variety. July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  43. ^Brock Radke (January 10, 2019). "MO'NIQUE KICKS OFF HER Twig VEGAS COMEDY RESIDENCY AT SLS". Retrieved February 12, 2019.

External links