Is Mo'Nique ruining her Oscar chances with diva antics?
First, Mo'Nique didn't show up at the Toronto International Film Festival to promote "Precious." Rumors ran amok that she snubbed the debut because Lionsgate wouldn't pay a $100,000 appearance fee plus fly her staff first class. Then her publicist promised Mo'Nique would attend the premiere of "Precious" at the New York Film Festival this past weekend, but again she was a no-show. Roger Friedman of Hollywood Reporter's Showbiz 411 reports that her publicist just quit "after trying to explain why Mo’Nique wasn’t coming."
A source tells the New York Daily News, "Mo'Nique said she signed on to do this film for a small amount of money. She said she didn't care about 'no Oscar' — all that mattered was 'those Benjamins!' Because Oprah and Tyler Perry are backing the film, she feels as though there should be a budget to pay for her promotional duties."
"Precious" is widely considered to be a top contender for best picture, director, screenplay, lead actress (Gabby Sidibe) and supporting actress (Mo'Nique and Mariah Carey).
"The star's attitude is starting to work against her," Daily News column Gatecrasher reports. "Winfrey and Tyler have reportedly instructed Lionsgate to put their promotional machine behind fellow stars Mariah Carey and Gabby Sidibe for the Oscar race. Those two are adept at playing the game; both turned up in New York and Toronto to push the film for free (although Carey was 30 minutes late to Saturday's Alice Tully Hall premiere and entered to boos from the audience in response to her tardiness)."
In fairness to Mo'Nique, she's quite busy right now with the debut of her late-night talk show on BET network at 11 tonight. Some of our forum posters believe these reports are rumors meant to derail her TV premiere by jealous rivals, and they note that Mo'Nique recently did PR for "Precious" on the "Today" show, "The Rachael Ray Show" and BET's "106th and Park." READ MORE
Photo: Lionsgate
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I don't care about this gossip. I hope she wins.
Posted by: Meg | March 05, 2010 at 10:11 AM
I've worked with her before and I believe this. She often pulls the diva role.
Posted by: Lee | October 07, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Lee Daniels is still backing her up saying that the so called "Diva Antics" are not true. Also, she was probably busy prepping her talk show. The NYFF was this past weekend and her first show was Monday... oh yeah and her show tapes in Atlanta.
Shut it down!
Posted by: TyRiley | October 07, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Mags, not true. I think Eddie Murphy would have won best supporting actor had Norbit not come out during the Oscar race. but Polanski won best director even though he raped a little girl and was a fugitive. do black actors have to prove themselves more worthy? maybe it's Mo'Nique's fat, ghettoness that puts people off. she's not your typical svelte actress. like fashion, this industry does more for the pretty, sexy actors than those who don't fit the mold. just look at who gets invited to the oscars even when they're not nominated.
Posted by: DRE DAWG | October 06, 2009 at 12:39 PM
This is just gossip from a conveniently unnamed "source"... we don't know if there's a diva in the house or just a woman with other work to do. Either way, this negative unsubstantiated blog chose to work against her.
Posted by: Jack Henry | October 06, 2009 at 11:12 AM
You can take 'em out of Baltimore but you can't take the Baltimore out of 'em. Typical.
Posted by: Humph | October 06, 2009 at 10:39 AM
we want will see johnny depp,tim burton,david linch,cate blanchett,julia roberts,clive owen,daniel radcliffe,carey mulligan,edward norton ,al pacino,gael garcia bernal,even rachel wood and eva green in oscar night.we will hope academy intive all them this time.
Posted by: travis | October 06, 2009 at 06:04 AM
so....since when has someone's attitude had something to do with an Oscar win? Was she the best actor - yes or no? Whether or not she is the best publicity machine is completely irrelevant. When did it become widely accepted that the ability to act is directly attributed to the ability to promote?
Posted by: Mags | October 05, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Why are they backing Carey? Paula Patton should be nominated alongside Mo'Nique in the Supporting Actress category!
Posted by: Michael B. | October 05, 2009 at 07:45 PM