Many people were taken aback by comedienne-actress Mo’Nique’s profanity-laced and vulgar tirade against director Lee Daniels (“Empire” co-creator), studio owner/director Tyler Perry and billionaire Oprah Winfrey a few weeks back. Interesting choice of targets considering the three are among the most influential figures in not only Black Hollywood but the movie/TV industry, as a whole.
After all, Mo’Nique won an Academy Award for her acclaimed performance in the gritty film Precious, which Lee directed and Perry and Winfrey produced. But that movie is nearly a decade old and Mo’Nique hasn’t had many film or TV roles since — and she holds this powerful trio responsible for her desert patch of on-screen creativity.
“The Real” discussed the matter on their show this past week, with Adrienne Bailon being particularly vocal about the “classless” manner in which Mo’Nique chose to articulate her grievances, which was during a comedy routine at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Mo’Nique got wind of Bailon’s critique of her and this is what she had to say in response:
@theGrio @AdrienneBailon My loves. This BABY gets a pass. She is to young to even begin to understand. However @AdrienneBailon if you would like to discuss we open.
— Mo’Nique Worldwide (@moworldwide) May 24, 2017
@theGrio @AdrienneBailon @AdrienneBailon we await your reply sister. This is Mo’Nique. I hope I’m not being to loud for you. Lol.
— Mo’Nique Worldwide (@moworldwide) May 24, 2017
Mo’Nique added that women like her are paving the way for a more equitable playing field in Hollywood for the Bailons of the world.
@theGrio @AdrienneBailon @AdrienneBailon by the way I am fighting for young sisters like you who haven’t won an Academy Award.
— Mo’Nique Worldwide (@moworldwide) May 24, 2017
@theGrio @AdrienneBailon @AdrienneBailon if u really want 2tell us something, my husband and I would b more than happy to come on the show, you can tell us directly.
— Mo’Nique Worldwide (@moworldwide) May 24, 2017
Time will tell if Bailon and the rest of the crew at “The Real” will take up the Oscar winner on her offer to appear in person. But it seems curious that Mo’Nique would have to bring her husband to the show. It is, after all, Mo’Nique’s words that started this brush fire in the first place, and it will be her career that will be impacted.
