If comedienne-actress Mo’Nique would tell it, the spirit and karma gods are in her favor.
I’ve you’ve kept up with OSF, then you know there had been a long-running wrangle between Empire and Precious director Lee Daniels and Mo’Nique feuding about Daniels having whispered in her ear that she was blackballed in the industry for not “playing the game.”
“You’ve gotta play ball. This is not just show — it is show business,” -Daniels.
Well Mo’Nique refused to accept Daniels’ generalization that the entire industry blackballed her and asserted that he was merely speaking for himself as, it’s said their problems began when Daniels paid Mo’Nique a very small amount for her role in Precious and (rightfully so) expected her to do what happens next: Promote the movie: interviews, red carpets, and the whole sha-bang.
“When people were saying those things, I understood it, but I knew it wasn’t true”
Well reportedly, Mo’Nique didn’t play that part of the game as, it was said that her manager-husband pretty much felt the amount Daniels paid Mo’Nique for such a box office smash was very small-all praises and popularity considered and despite her winning an Oscar for the role [2010].
Although alls been quiet on the feuding front, Thursday’s Emmy nom nods got Mo’Nique to shaking her noggin as a reminder to Daniels that the karma gods are in her favor as (although Taraji P. Henson for her role as “Cookie” in Empire was nom’d as Outstanding Leading Actress) Empire (the show itself) was snubbed from the nom’s list [much to Mo’Nique’s pleasure not-so-surprise].
She however was acknowledged for her performance in the biopic HBO movie Bessie co-starring Queen Latifah.
Mo’Nique says she had no idea she won until half way through breakfast before her morning dance class her husband Sidney said, “Mama. You just got nominated for an Emmy.”
Rather than to rub Empire or Daniels’ nose in the snub, Mo’Nique merely had this to say to The Wrap:
“In reference to ‘Empire,’ I believe that it’s one of the most amazing show in television history. It’s breaking all kinds of records. When it comes to that show, I stand up and applaud it I applaud Lee Daniels and his vision. Everything that’s happening to that brother right now, he deserves it,” she said.
“The truth never needs defending. We’re big believers in the law of nature, that what you put out is what you get back.”
