MONIQUE CLAIMS SHE'S BEEN "BLACKBALLED" IN HOLLYWOOD

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Posted: 2/19/15 at 7:45pm

According to an article in The Hollywood Reporter, Academy Award winner Monique claims that after she won she became "blackballed" in Hollywood and that no one would give her work. In reading the article it seems that she may have somewhat participated in making this happen...




Hollywood Reporter article Updated On: 2/19/15 at 07:45 PM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 2/19/15 at 7:55pm

This just makes me think of some Kanye lyrics.

"Cause the same people that tried to black ball me. Forgot about two things, my black balls."

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Posted: 2/19/15 at 8:01pm

I just thought that she is not the only person to have won an Oscar that has never been heard from again...Louise Fletcher comes to mind first, "Exorcist II" and "Flowers in the Attic" don't really scream, "Hey I won an Oscar"

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/19/15 at 8:10pm

I was shocked to see goofthpc didn't start this thread.

Monique was writing about what Lee Daniels told her. It seems perfectly plausible.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 2/20/15 at 5:34am

Definitely seems plausible, though I doubt it's the sole cause of her somewhat stalled film career. Part of it has to be her personal brand. After winning an Oscar she did her BET talk show for two years instead of focusing on acting. I think you could argue that before Precious she was really regarded as an entertainer who, you know, also acted. She kind of shattered those perceptions with her star turn and Oscar win, but she didn't back it up. But that's hardly her fault alone. And can you blame her for taking what was probably a good gig at the time when you look at the paucity of roles for black women in film? Or, frankly, for middle aged women in general.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/20/15 at 6:39am

Yes, the decision to put her immediate focus on a talk show did not speak, "please take me seriously as a career actor." No one would suggest that acting alone should be her career trajectory. Yet it's a business that is built on relationships, always, and working with people who work with other people, who pick up the phone and said "what about (fill in the blank) who I just had a great experience with?" If you review the body of work of many Oscar winners, more recent examples than Fletcher, like Theron, Swank, Berry, and countless others, not to mention two legends, Diana Ross and Cher, you won't see an impressive array of films, in some cases, only a handful. Berry hasn't done a single meaningful film since her Oscar, and has dabbled in unmemorable TV projects. It takes a lot of hustle. People trash talk Julia Roberts, but she has been smart to begin playing semi-supporting roles in ensemble pieces, not seeking the perfect vehicle. She will probably continue. Ditto Annette Benning (who hasn't yet won).

Monique is African-American and middle-aged. And female. In Hollywood, dare I say: thus not a first tier focus on anyone's list. That harsh, and a reality. Many people would advise her to just keep working, the smallest roles, a guest star on hit TV drama, anything to keep proving she's viable and has the chops. Because casting is not a business filled with much imagination. People don't sit around re-watching their "Precious" screeners. You have to keep before the public eye. You simply have to work. She may be blacklisted, but she may have turned down too many small things, roles that would've created more of an impression of her strengths. That's just acting career 101.

Updated On: 2/20/15 at 06:39 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 2/20/15 at 3:42pm

It's a really vague article. There isn't one specific example of her "not playing the game".

I am aware she completely shunned any awards season participation, but she still won so I figured it wasn't a big deal.

After her raw and volcanic performance in Precious I would jump at the chance to have her in my movie.

ETA: I think I only saw a truncated version of the article, so perhaps I'm wrong.

Updated On: 2/20/15 at 03:42 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 2/20/15 at 6:15pm

I worked on a talk show pilot with Monique. Found her to be very self centered but still a very good person. The main issue we had with her was a hygiene one. She definitely does not shower every day.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:39pm

Dame, when you say you worked on a talk show pilot with Mo'nique, you mean you were there for a free paternity test, right?

[javero]

Posted: 2/22/15 at 12:51pm

Well if it's any consolation Mo'Nique, I downloaded and re-watched PRECIOUS last night.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/5/15 at 9:48pm

Oh, the intrigue!!

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/5/15 at 10:11pm

Maybe it's because she's not a very good actress? I mean you can have your one star role and then peak. Sorry bout it.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 3/5/15 at 10:15pm

Yet it's a business that is built on relationships, always, and working with people who work with other people, who pick up the phone and said "what about (fill in the blank) who I just had a great experience with?"

I thought it was foolish of her to not attend the Oscar luncheon that same year she was nominated. It's definitely a great opportunity to mingle with the other nominees in all the categories and network.


I am aware she completely shunned any awards season participation, but she still won so I figured it wasn't a big deal.

Her acceptance speech wasn't exactly endearing, either. She came off so angry, like she had a chip on her shoulder. Samuel L. Jackson's facial expression was very telling that she was rubbing the establishment the wrong way. Mo'Nique also said in a recent interview with TMZ that Lee Daniels was not happy that she didn't thank him in her speech and told her so at the after party.

ETA: She also refused to attend Cannes to promote the film because they wouldn't pay her. That's just career suicide all around. Many people would jump at the chance to go to France for a prestigious film festival. She has no one to blame but herself.

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

Updated On: 3/5/15 at 10:15 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 4:55pm

People being blackballed in Hollywood

I have never heard of that before - wink wink/nudge nudge.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 5:44pm

Let me fix that for the imbecilic. There.


Who's the imbecile NOW, Namo??

It won't turn offfff.

Updated On: 3/8/15 at 05:44 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

#15MONIQUE CLAIMS SHE'S BEEN

Posted: 3/8/15 at 6:53pm

Wink Wink

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 6:53pm

Nudge Nudge

[FindingNamo]

#17MONIQUE CLAIMS SHE'S BEEN

Posted: 3/8/15 at 6:57pm

Boink boink. Amiright?

strangemanger2 broke BWW

Did I just fix it by invoking his name??

THIS HOUSE IS CLEEEEAAAAAN.

Updated On: 3/8/15 at 06:57 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 7:01pm

Thank you for your service.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 8:59pm

These boards are so outdated and broken that if someone uses any formatting tabs and doesn't close them it affects every post (and titles & names) there after until someone closes it for them.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 9:01pm

I tried several times in my first post. Sludgemonger must have cast a spell that eventually wore off.