Oscar-winning actress and comedian Mo’nique and Oprah Winfrey have been involved in a battle for years now and it doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon. In a recent open letter to the media mogul, the actress lets it all hang out.
“The Parkers” actress and Winfrey first worked together on the movie “Precious” (Oprah and Tyler Perry were announced to be promotional partners and served as such), and all seemed to be going well with the Oscar buzz surrounding both the Lee Daniels directed-film and her performance. Ultimately winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the relationship between the two began to deteriorate when Mo’nique declined to do additional press that was not listed in her contract.
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Due to her refusal to cooperate, many involved with the making of the film and its success felt like the film’s growth was stunted. The comedian would eventually suffer from stigmas that she was “difficult to work with” and her reputation would seemingly suffer.
The relationship would sour even more when Mo’nique’s family appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. While she admits Oprah contacted her prior to the show’s taping to let her know that her family would be making an appearance to speak on the issues between the family and herself, including allegations of sexual abuse she’s been open about at the hand of her brother, as well as the strained relationship she has with her mother and the rest of the family and was invited to appear on the show as well to discuss. Mo’nique also declined, saying she felt it inappropriate.
Since the show’s airing, the two haven’t been in direct contact, but Mo’nique has been vocal of her grievances toward Winfrey. From dedicating episodes of the podcast she shares with Husband Sidney Hicks, to interviews with different media outlets, she has made it clear she has an issue with Oprah.
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Oprah as well came under fire from the African American community for coming against Black men such as Michael Jackson and Russel Simmons, participating in documentaries aimed to expose their alleged sexual misconduct, while not giving that same energy to friend Harvey Weinstein. In an open letter uploaded to Instagram, Mo’nique touched on that, as well as alleging Winfrey’s role in blackballing her.
“You did an interview on the CBS Morning Show and were asked about Harvey Weinstein by Norah O’Donnell,” she writes under a photo of the two, “and you said as it pertained to him that you ‘always try to look at the Rainbow in the clouds, whatever is the ‘silver lining. You also said ‘if we make this all about Harvey Weinstein then we have lost the moment’. When you either are, or were going to be a part of documentary on Michael Jackson, and Russell Simmons, how is that not making it all about them?”
She continues, touching on the rumors of her being difficult. “ My personal experience with you is you’ve watched me as a black woman be accused of being difficult for not promoting “Precious” internationally for Lions Gate, at Lions Gate, Tyler Perry, and your request, despite the fact my deal was with Lee Daniels Entertainment. And, how are you for black women when you hear Tyler on audio saying I was right and he was going to speak up but you or him still haven’t said a word?”
Mo’nique can be seen playing her famous “Nikki Parker” role on her hit show “The Parkers” as fans have been reacquainting themselves with the show, and others are newly introduced.
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