Few stars can say they’ve survived an industry black-balling and landed on their feet the way funnywoman Mo’Nique has.
Despite earning quite the reputation for her outspoken nature, being cast as “difficult” and “demanding” by the likes of entertainment industry leaders Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels, Whoopi Goldberg, and more, and becoming the source of ridicule for her highly publicized battle with Netflix, the 51-year-old is celebrating a major comeback courtesy of a recently announced stint in Sin City.
Making history as the first Black comedienne to have her own Vegas residency, Mo took to our friends at Essence to not only dish on the major accomplishment but also reflect on the recent downfalls that have gotten her to this point (i.e. backlash received for supporting Roseanne, Netflix drama, and more).
On comediennes who paved the way for her:
“It’s so many that have gone unnoticed and unnamed,” Mo’Nique said with a sigh, “but because they kept inching forward, I’m able to have the residency.”
On her residency being “revenge” against naysayers:
“It doesn’t feel like revenge because I’m not out to get anyone,” she replied. “This is a part of what I do. I never stopped. Because people didn’t see me, they thought I had stopped, but I’ve never stopped being a standup comedian. Through all of this, I was still traveling the country, going to this city, this city, this city, this city because that’s my passion. That’s my baby. That’s my love.”
On relationship with Roseanne Barr:
“My sister Roseanne Barr called me [before the first show of the residency]. She said, ‘Hey, baby girl. Go kick them in the a-s.’ We laughed,” Mo recalled. “She was like, ‘I’m just so proud of you, baby.’”
On Roseanne’s support of her when Netflix offered a lower deal than her comedic counterparts:
“A racist would not have pulled me up after all the cameras stopped and said, ‘Listen here, baby. Don’t you let them use you up. You better know your worth, but don’t you let them take advantage of you.’ Now, I don’t know a racist that would do that. But that woman called me up. Yes, ma’am, she did.”
On standing by the embattled TV star:
“I could not throw my sister under the bus because I know her when the cameras aren’t rolling,” Mo’Nique explained of why she stood by Barr. “I know her when there’s nobody watching and there’s nobody listening.”
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