Mo’Nique Accuses Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey of Exploiting Young Actors

Over a decade after the release of Precious (2009), actress and comedian Mo’Nique continues to speak out against Hollywood heavyweights Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. In a series of interviews, she accused them of blackballing her from the industry and mistreating young actors, shedding light on longstanding industry practices.

Mo’Nique vs. Hollywood: The Fallout from Precious

Mo’Nique, now 55, reached the pinnacle of her career when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Precious. However, soon after, she found herself at odds with Hollywood’s elite. She claimed that after refusing to promote the film at the Cannes Film Festival for free—despite requests from director Lee Daniels, Oprah, and Perry—she was labeled “difficult” and “hard to work with.”

“I was doing a talk show, a comedy tour, and I had a family. I wasn’t obligated to travel for free, and I stood my ground,” Mo’Nique recalled. However, that decision allegedly led to her being ostracized from the industry.

Tensions with Oprah and Perry

Mo’Nique revealed that Perry once privately admitted his role in damaging her career and agreed to apologize. However, she claims he later refused to meet unless she apologized to him and Oprah. “How does that happen?” Mo’Nique questioned, highlighting Hollywood’s pattern of silencing outspoken Black women.

She also criticized Oprah for inviting her estranged family onto The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2010, including a brother who had molested her as a child. Mo’Nique said she had only given Oprah permission to interview her brother, not other family members. “She betrayed me,” the actress stated.

Claims of Exploitation in Hollywood

Beyond her personal grievances, Mo’Nique accused Oprah and Perry of exploiting new actors by expecting them to work without pay under the guise of career advancement. She argued that this practice disproportionately affects Black talent, calling it modern-day “slave trading.”

According to Mo’Nique, she agreed to star in Precious for just $50,000 because it was an independent film. However, once it gained traction at the Sundance Film Festival, Oprah and Perry signed on as executive producers. Afterward, she claimed she was pressured to promote the film without additional compensation.

“What I was not going to do was make Hollywood a priority over my family,” she asserted.

Hollywood’s Pattern of Silencing Black Women

Mo’Nique compared her situation to that of other Black women in Hollywood who faced backlash for speaking out, including Eartha Kitt, Hazel Scott, and Hattie McDaniel. “They took a stand, and they left here heartbroken and unheard. I refuse to be another name on that list,” she said.

She continues to advocate for fair treatment in Hollywood, insisting that she holds no hatred for Oprah, Perry, or Lee Daniels but hopes they will “make things right” rather than “run and hide behind power.”

Perry’s Response

Tyler Perry has since addressed racism in Hollywood in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he also expressed support for Oprah. However, he has yet to publicly acknowledge Mo’Nique’s accusations or apologize as she claims he privately promised.

Mo’Nique’s battle with Hollywood remains a significant discussion about power dynamics and fairness in the entertainment industry. While she has reconciled with Lee Daniels, her rift with Perry and Winfrey continues to fuel debates about how Black women in the industry are treated when they demand respect and fair compensation.