RENOWNED comedian and Oscar award-winning actress Mo'Nique is calling out Netflix for allegedly offering her US$500,000 (£350,380) for a stand-up comedy special while offering millions to Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle.
In an Instagram video (below), Mo’Nique called for a boycott of Netflix on the grounds of colour and gender bias. The comedian explains that her team ask why Amy Schumer, who was recently offered $11 million, was offered significantly more than Mo’Nique, who referred to herself as 'the most decorated comedian alive'.
Netflix allegedly explained that they don’t factor CV experience when making offers, however used Schumer’s sold-out Madison Square Gardens arena and a big blockbuster movie over the summer as justification for her offer.
“Is that not Amy Schumer’s resume?” Mo’Nique rhetorically asked in her video.
Mo'Nique says the streaming service said she was a "legend" like Chris Rock and David Chappelle, who were both offered $20 million for their specials, but still didn't offer as much to them.
"Why shouldn't I get what the legends are getting? Please stand with me on this boycott of Netflix," she said.
Since Mo’Nique’s call for a boycott, Wanda Sykes has joined in saying she was offered less than half of Mo’Nique’s $500K.
.@moworldwide [4], thank you for speaking out. @netflix [5] offered me less than half of your $500k. I was offended but found another home. #EPIX [6]
— Official Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) January 21, 2018 [7]
BLACKBALLED
Mo'Nique has claimed that she's been 'blackballed' since her Academy award win for her role in 'Precious' (2010), directed by Lee Daniels, for "not playing the game".
In a recent radio interview on Sway's Universe on SIRIUSXM, the 50-year-old actress claimed that this is because of her refusal to promote 'Precious' without payment. This saw a disagreement with Daniels, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey - who all allegedly encouraged her to "work for free".
Consequently, Mo'Nique told Sway, "these low offers started coming in".
Mo’nique, real name Monique Angela Hicks, first appeared on the scene in 1999 as a comedian. After guest featuring in American sitcom Moesha, in which she played the bubbly Nicole ‘Nikki’ Parker alongside singer Brandy Norwood, she found global fame in 1999 at the fore of her very own sitcom 'The Parkers'. The series ended in 2004.
Read every story in our hardcopy newspaper for free by downloading the app.