Mo'Nique Explains Her Blackballing, Says She Got $50,000 for Precious

During an interview with Inside Edition, Mo’Nique responded to the controversy following her recent comments about being blackballed in Hollywood.

In the interview, Mo’Nique claims she was only paid $50,000 for her Oscar-winning role in Precious, adding that director Lee Daniels later told her she’d been blackballed for not playing by Hollywood’s politics. “I’m not complaining about the money because that’s what I signed up for,” she says.

The actress hasn’t landed any major parts since her win and, according to Daniels, her apparent “difficult” reputation played a role. (Race is likely a factor in this, too.) Mo’Nique argues:

“To say that I’m difficult, any project that I have ever done, when they say ‘Wrap’ and that’s it, we’re all hugging and crying, speaking about the great experience that we had… To stand up for what’s wrong, I couldn’t even do that differently. Would I not stand up for Gabourey Sidibe, who they wanted to fly coach to France. That’s a long ride, we’re big women. I will still stand up for that. I’ll never stop standing up for injustice.”

Does this shutout not happen to other actresses? Why is Mo’Nique’s supposed attitude this much of a problem? She says hopes to get back on the radar with her upcoming independent film Blackbird, which she’s starring in and producing.