Even though Mo’nique’s HuffPo interview was relatively short, I found it exhausting. She is an exhausting person. Mo’nique has been promoting a new film, which is why she’s giving so many interviews lately, but I also feel like… did she go off her meds or something? She’s been quiet for years, then all of a sudden, it’s like she’s trying to create some major war with Lee Daniels and she’s making these grand pronouncements about how she was offered this juicy role or that great part but everything’s fine because she loves herself and she has integrity and everyone is lying but Mo’nique (and yes, she refers to herself in the third person a lot).
The latest is that she’s still insisting that she was offered the role of Cookie in the new mega-hit TV show Empire. The role is being owned by Taraji Henson, who is always amazing. And even though everyone involved with Empire says Taraji was always their Cookie, Mo’nique still won’t shut up about it. And everything else. You can read the full HuffPo piece here. Some highlights:
The speculation that Fox executives said she was difficult to work with: “You know, it doesn’t disappoint me because I haven’t heard Fox say that. That came from Mr. Daniels. I can’t be disappointed in Fox for anything because it’s hearsay. It came from someone else; it’s just what it is. What I will say is, when you ask someone about things that they know are not true, I’m not the type of person that will just sit down and be quiet and allow you to do that. There are so many people that sit down and be quiet, and they will suffer in silence. I just refuse to be silent when you say that “Mo’Nique is demanding,” “Mo’Nique is difficult.” But you never say, “Well, what were her demands? And what was she difficult in?” Those questions have never been asked. We’ll just accept it and we’ll just put it out there. See, for me, you’ve got to explain what you’re saying. If you’re going to accuse me of something, you have to explain what it is that you’re accusing me of.
Empire director Danny Strong “questioning” whether Mo’nique was ever offered a role: “My baby, Danny Strong didn’t question it — he tweeted out a statement saying, “Mo’Nique was never offered it.” And as I said on “Access Hollywood,” “Guys, I have that email to show those communications.” The one thing I am not, I am not a liar. I take pride in the character of who I am, and I take pride in my integrity. So I’m not pulling anything out of the air. People want to make this a competition. “Is it Taraji? Is it Mo’Nique?” Taraji is my girl, and I’m so happy and proud of my sister. She is the best and baddest Cookie that the world could ever see. However, it has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with, “Mr. Daniels, you’re putting my character in a place where people could question me, and you and I know, along with my husband Sidney, that those aren’t the right conversations you’re putting out there.” Now, for Mr. Strong, I understand why he’s doing what he’s doing, because he’s believing his friend. His friend, Mr. Daniels, says, “We didn’t offer Mo’Nique those things.” Well, he’s going to be supportive of his friend and his business partner, and I respect people like that. Whereas I say to Mr. Strong, “Will you speak as loudly when you find out that you’re incorrect?”
She then goes on to say that she would work with Lee Daniels again, no problem. Which makes NO SENSE because she basically blames Daniels for everything that’s gone wrong with her career… except nothing has gone wrong with Mo’nique’s career, in Mo’nique’s mind, and she has the receipts to prove it. What is the point of all this? I have no idea. Even if Mo’nique is telling the truth about being offered Cookie in Empire (which is doubtful), why even bring it up? It’s unprofessional and rude to discuss what roles you were offered.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Monique is exhausting and messy…Lee Daniels is messy…so yeah…it is a mess.
Agree. She is trying to take Lee Daniels down.
Does she sound worse. No. We had already discounted her but we are second guessing Lee. Maybe she is winning.
I think it’s pretty obvious. Lee Daniels is blackballing Monique. Monique didn’t promote Precious and I think they felt she had a platform and should have done so (both he and Oprah felt that). So I’m sure Daniels is thinking why should I give a role to her in one of my projects when she won’t be doing the legwork to promote it and is only out for self. Personally I got why Monique sat that one out and felt like ‘Hey if the Academy wants to reward me for playing this monster fine…but I don’t want her to be the thing that I’m associated with.’ I got that.
It seems Lee is effing with her…because of how she played the Oscars.
I believe her version.
@Bugglez: Monique didn’t sit out the OScar season because she didn’t like the character she played. She tried to demand that she be paid for screenings and events. It wasn’t that she was above the politicking, she just didn’t want to do it for free. And that was her choice, but it had very real consequences for her professionally: not only did she miss out on the chance to network with producers, directors, and people that make projects happen (who do you think attends all those events?) but by declining to do any extra promotion for Precious she ticked off her boss. Not only that, but word was during that awards season that Monique treated people TERRIBLY and her husband/manager is no peach either. She is a grown woman, and this whole mess is her own fault.
Bridget, that’s a bunch of horse poop. Monique wasn’t seriously suggesting lee, Oprah and the studios PAY HER to promote her own Oscar campaign. Come on.
She didn’t feel like she needed to beg them and bribe them to give her an Oscar – she felt they should give it to her on merit not because of her PR flack’s machinations or glad handing or cake baking like some cheesey desperados (cough, Aniston, cough )….they agreed, and gave Monique her Oscar on merit.
I thought at the time that what she did was noble
The woman is a comedian, what she told them was – i have legal obligations and I’ve signed contracts to host my television show. I get paid for a M-F tv show that’s a lot of work..I don’t get paid for Oscar campaigns….THAT was her point….not that they should pay her but that she was legally obligated and had a job that took precedence.
She cracked wise about a paycheck but she wasn’t serious…her point was that she had a full time job that she had to show up to (yet they wanted her overseas, hosting parties, and events) and for a performance that though was supremely well acted she found depressing and repugnant perosnally….i don’t blame her.
@Bugglez: it looks like we interpret it differently. Though I’m going to point out that it doesn’t matter how either of us interpret her comments, becaus this whole mess started because she was unhappy that she didn’t get the ‘Oscar bump’ – she didn’t get the more lucrative offers, the bigger parts. She missed the opportunity to network, to promote her work and herself. She didn’t get the jobs because of this. Mo’Nique won the award because she was great, but she shot herself in the foot in the long term.
And I’m going to say it: she would have ruined Empire had she been Cookie. Taraji owns it, and it feels like Mo’Nique is just trying to horn in on her spotlight.
Yes! Completely agree.
Girl, take a seat!!!
Shut up woman
You’re right, she is exhausting.
I think it’s an excellent strategy to get hired: publicly complain about a previous boss. That’ll change his mind!
Yeah, I’m sure he’s slapping his forehead as we speak, saying “what was I thinking?!?”
I’m going to take a guess that she has major beef with Lee Daniels and is thus publicly shaming him?
She probably thought they’d be a lot of public traction on her ‘Hollywood blackballed me’ statement in which she name checked him. Since her statement didn’t cause the public humiliation she was looking for, she’s now calling him out outright?
If she keeps this up she’ll be doing CW shows for the rest of her life. She needs to shut it down, be grateful. Nobody will ever hire her again.
Forget Mo’nique. I’m still marveling at the career little Jonathan (aka Danny Strong) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer has gone on to have!
I know. Who would have guessed he’d be one of the most successful people on that show?
I’m so happy for him. Monique, stop being mean to Jonathan!
He’s doing so well – he won a slew of awards for Game Change, has a massive (and growing) hit with Empire, and still acts. He was on Buffy, Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, and Justified. The guy is killing it!
I was watching Mockingjay, and he was a script writer and that as well.
Does she think that calling people Mr. & Mrs and referring to herself in the third person makes her sound more sane or something? It doesn’t, Mo’nique…
Ok this will probably make people whine about body shaming but I don’t even care. There is NO WAY on this planet that she was offered the same role as Taraji. None. Period. Taraji is gorgeous and sexy and way more believable as a strong sexy lead opposite Terrence Howard. Monique is fine for some roles, but unless she really committed to shaping up, there is no way. None.
The thought of her being picked up in that sex scene 😳
When Cookie flashes her ass.
smh, Monique so damn loud I’d have to lower the volume.
I think she’s talented, but there are alot of ladies who are also very good actresses (TJP) who don’t make me want to take a nap after I read an interview w/ them.Im all for a woman standing up for herself in H’wood, but her statements are all over the place, and I’m still not sure what the hell she is talking about.
My question is: WHAT IS THIS MESSY BITCH SELLING US OR SHILLING WITH ALL THIS NONSENSE?? WHOOOO ASKED HER? what’s the Endgame here? to Shame someone into giving her a job?/ who is her audience? who wants to see this lady being sassy and shrieking (cause lemme tell you her voice is a grating experience)
+1,000,000
+1,000,000,000
OMG, she just won’t stop. She is digging a grave for herself
I’m sure other people were considered but I highly doubt she would have EVER been offered the part. Regardless they made the right decision with Cookie. I love the show & can’t imagine anyone else playing the part.
Same here. That show is my guilty pleasure. No way in hell anyone but TH could play Cookie. And people who refer to themselves in the third person can go f@ck themselves.
Well she’s right. He lied or was misinformed and was corrected. She has the right to defend her integrity. Happy Women’s Day.
Lee Daniels didn’t have the authority to legally offer her role.Lee is used to working in film as an independent director where he is the top dog.I believe he said I have a role for you and sent her the script.When he went to Fox studios they said “Hell to to No” .
I have it happen in my life when my uncle basically said a job was mine.Well the OWNER of the company said no.My uncle was just the manager and he was overruled by the owner who hired his granddaughter.
I think she was to the point. Her comments fall in line with the backstabbing and lack of integrity known to exist in the industry. I salute professional women who tell the truth, don’t sell out, and keep it moving… as in FORWARD.
Monique has a don’t-take-no-shit, around-the-way-girl type persona. She could bring in the street creds. So I could see her in that role well before Halle Berry, Sanaa Lathan or Queen Latifah. In regards to sex appeal… well, that would depend on who would play Luscious Lyon beyond Terrence Howard.
BTW, outside of Taraji, I could also see Jada Pinkett or Tasha Smith playing the role.
She stated facts and was probably offered the part. In the end, and thanks to politics, Cookie is played by TPH and the show is a success.
Gabrielle Union made it a point to inform us that she FIRST was offered the part of Olivia Pope of Scandal. Now no one can see that part played by any other woman other than Kerri Washington.
Gabrielle Union “auditioned” for the role of Olivia Pope on Scandal, but Kerry Washington won the part. Lee Daniels offered the part of “Cookie” on Empire to Monique, but she never auditioned because she never heard from him again.
If she was complaining about being blackballed why oh why is she still burning bridges???
Monique has always made my freak-dar ping. I want to support a non-traditional woman trying to make it in Hollywood, but I have always found this particular woman problematic, unfortunately. A lot of her stand up is just gross and disturbing (check out her spiel on what a woman has to do to keep her man–just…..UGH!), all of her statements about her marriage smack of him having a permanent hall pass while she remains faithful, and she’s just an irritating personality overall who doesn’t seem to understand when a good shutting up is needed. Why won’t you let me support you, Monique?!?
Why is she talking so much all the sudden? She fell almost completely off the radar for years, and now suddenly she wants spotlight again?
Monique is not promoting Blackbird.I have watched several interviews on CNN, GMA,Access Hollywood , Inside Edition.Blackbird was barely mentioned.GMA specifically said she would be back on in April TO promote Blackbird.
This is her ” Call out Lee Daniels” tour.Fortunately he hasn’t mentioned her since he did CNN interview on Feb 24 when he was asked about her.He was just on The View last week but Monique wasn’t mentioned.
Monique has done over dozen interviews , mostly about Lee Daniels, including with TMZ and a couple of radio stations.Empire’s ratings keep going up for unprecedented ninth consecutive week.Keep talking about Empire and Lee Daniels, Mo
I must admit, I’d never heard of Empire until all this blew up.
It’s nice of her to finally promote something.
What’s that incessant banging I hear?? Ah yes, it’s the last nail in the coffin that was once her career.
She’s just making things worse for herself. At some point you have to be an adult and just move on and make the best of things, but she just keeps harping on Daniels and a show she has nothing to do with.
“Empire director Danny Strong “questioning” whether Mo’nique was ever offered a role: “My baby, Danny Strong didn’t question it — he tweeted out a statement saying, “Mo’Nique was never offered it.””
If Mo’nique was offered the part, then is she saying she turned it down?? Oh Really?!? I seriously doubt it.
…………………………
In the HuffPo interview, it says she has no regrets with what happened re the Oscars. So she’s saying she would not thank Lee Daniels and the studio all over again? This on top of backtracking on saying that Daniels said she was blackballed? Come on now. She is being very difficult. Get a clue.
And if Empire wasn’t successful, would she be causing such a stink about it now?
And how are you blackballed if you were offered one of the biggest roles this season? Does this make sense? Nope.
“She then goes on to say that she would work with Lee Daniels again, no problem. ”
re her ever working again with Daniels – Pretty sure that ship has sailed.
Danny Strong isn’t the director of the show, he’s the co-creator. I trust his version of events more than some has-been actress with an attitude problem.
Mo’Nique, If you got the “receipts” put Lee “on blast”, and show us the receipts, and let this story die. If you cannot definitively prove that the part of Cookie on Empire was first offered to you, shut up about it already!