Mo’Nique Speaks: What Does The Oscar Mean Financially?

She’s been nominated for several best supporting actress awards, but talk show host and comedian Mo’Nique doesn’t care or doesn’t get it.

According to reports and sources, she’s decided to skip the New York Film Critics Awards next month. The group was going to give her an award for her excellent work in “Precious.” Now director Lee Daniels will accept on her behalf.

In the past, a few actors have missed awards shows. But they were all well established or lived outside the U.S.

Mo’Nique lives in Atlanta and has few serious acting credits. She does have a TV show on BET, and that’s where the following clip comes from. In it, she asks former Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson the most pressing question about Oscar campaigning: “What does it mean financially?”

Months ago I told you that Mo’Nique wouldn’t do publicity for the movie unless she was paid. According to sources she demanded cash in envelopes, not just for her makeup artists and stylists, but for herself. For some reason, she thought these were paid appearances. Everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Lee Daniels tried to set her straight. But she missed the Cannes, Toronto and New York Film Festivals because of it. She’s also gone through several publicists.

Nothing seems to get through, which is odd because Mo’Nique seems like a bright person. But snubbing the NYFCC is a plan she should reconsider. She makes a point in that clip: she made the movie, you see her performance, what else can she do? This is a bit naive, but true fundamentally. But maybe she doesn’t understand that she’s already won this award. This isn’t the same as doing publicity.

What’s next? The Golden Globes? The Oscars? If these things don’t mean anything to her, there are plenty of actresses who will appreciate the honors, from Julianne Moore to Anna Kendrick to Vera Farmiga. Mo’Nique: fame is fleeting. Enjoy all this while you can! And keep in mind: “Precious” is a team consisting of many people, from Daniels and screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher to Gabby Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, etc. as well as the crew and the investors.