In January 2018, Mo’Nique called for a boycott of Netflix and accused them of racial and gender bias. Now, she’s filed a pay discrimination lawsuit against the company, which she announced Thursday on social media.
“Hi My Loves,” Mo’Nique began her message. “I can confirm that today I filed a pay discrimination lawsuit against Netflix.”
“I had a choice to make: I could accept what I felt was pay discrimination or I could stand up for those who came before me and those who will come after me,” she continued. “I chose to stand up. I don’t have any further comment at this time, but I appreciate all of your support and love.”
The beef between Mo’Nique and Netflix began after the comedian said the company offered her $500,000 for a stand-up comedy special, an amount she felt was far too low.
Because Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock were paid $20 million a piece for their specials, and comedian Amy Schumer received an $11 million offer for her’s.
The “Precious” actress got immediate support for her stance, both from fans as well as celebrities, like Wendy Williams and Jada Pinkett Smith.
“You don’t have to like Mo’Nique’s approach. You don’t have to agree with her boycott but don’t allow all of that to make you blind to the fact that non-white women and impoverished white women are underpaid, underrepresented and undervalued EVERYWHERE by EVERYONE,” tweeted Pinkett Smith on Jan. 23 of last year.
The “Set It Off” actress defended Mo’Nique because plenty of others said she was wrongfully calling her personal beef with Netflix a social justice issue.
And some also accused her of not showing an equal amount of outrage when it came to black people being mistreated by the police and others.
“When my people are dying that’s when you gonna catch me protesting,” Tiffany Haddish told GQ when she discussed Mo’Nique. “I’m not gonna protest because somebody got offered not the amount of money they wanted to get offered.”
And in 2018 Kym Whitley said, “You gotta show that you’re fighting for other causes, not just your pocketbook. You gotta be fighting on Twitter and talking about police brutality, Trump or whatever issues you need to be passionate about.”
The issue between Mo’Nique and Netflix have undoubtedly become a heated debate, with the support and criticism she’s received seemingly coming in equal amounts.
Other celebs who’ve championed the 51-year-old’s efforts include Wanda Sykes and Tank, who said he stands with his “sister.”
But Mo’Nique got into a much-talked-about debate with Steve Harvey over her boycott, and on “The Breakfast Club” Charlamagne Tha God gave her “Donkey of the Day,” which she confronted him about during a visit.
Under Mo’Nique’s post about suing Netflix, a lot of people said they fully support her decision.
“Sister stand up and do what’s best for u and the many more that will come after u…. I salute you,” someone tweeted.
” Get your coin MO ✨‼️” a second person wrote.
