Mo’Nique, Netflix reach settlement in discrimination lawsuit, reports say
ByMichelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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LOS ANGELES — Mo’Nique and Netflix have agreed to a settlement after the actress and comedian accused the company of discrimination in a 2019 lawsuit, her lawyer said.
According to The Associated Press, the 54-year-old Academy Award winner and the streaming service have “amicably resolved” the issue, her attorney, Michael Parks, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Mo’Nique had alleged that Netflix engaged in racial and sexual discrimination when it made her an offer of $500,000 in 2018 for a planned comedy special, the AP reported. The lawsuit alleged that the company declined to negotiate further despite paying millions of dollars for similar specials from other comedians, such as Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Ellen DeGeneres. The suit went on to say that the incident demonstrated Netflix’s tendency to pay Black women less money, according to the news agency.
“I can confirm that today I filed a pay discrimination lawsuit against Netflix,” Mo’Nique wrote in a November 2019 Instagram post. “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. I chose to stand up. I don’t have any further comment at this time, but I appreciate all your support and love.”
“We care deeply about inclusion, equity and diversity, and take any accusations of discrimination very seriously,” the service said in a statement at the time. “We believe our opening offer to Mo’Nique was fair – which is why we will be fighting this lawsuit.”
No further details about the reported settlement were immediately available.
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years Here are some memorable photos of comedian and actress Mo'Nique through the years. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2003: Actress Mo'Nique arrives at the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Image Awards Cocktail reception held at the Sunset Room on December 3, 2003, in Hollywood, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2004: Host Mo'Nique dances on stage at the 2004 Black Entertainment Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on June 29, 2004, in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2005: Actress Mo'Nique poses in the press room with her award at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005, in Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2006: Actress Mo'Nique arrives at the premiere of Fox Searchlight's "Phat Girlz" at the ArcLight Cinema's on April 3, 2006, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2007: Comedian/actress Mo'Nique (left) and her husband, Sidney Hicks, arrive at the 2007 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 26, 2007, in Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2009: Mo'Nique arrives with a guest at the AFI FEST 2009 screening of "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" on November 1, 2009, in Hollywood, California. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2010: Actress Mo'Nique poses with her Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture award for "Precious" in the press room at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2011: Actress Mo'Nique poses at the 83rd Academy Awards Nominations Announcement held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on January 25, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2014: Actress/executive produce Mo'Nique and executive producer Sidney Hicks arrive to the Outfest Fusion LGBT People of Color Film Fetival Opening Night Screening of "Blackbird" at the Egyptian Theatre on March 14, 2014, in Hollywood, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2015: Mo'Nique, Queen Latifah and Tika Sumpter attend the "Bessie" New York screening at The Museum of Modern Art on April 29, 2015, in New York City. (Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Photos: Mo'Nique through the years 2016: Keri Hilson, Gabrielle Union and Mo'Nique attends "Almost Christmas" Atlanta screening at Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station Stadium 16 on October 26, 2016, in Atlanta. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
