Several weeks ago we would have told you that Mo’Nique was a “shoo-in’ to get an Academy Award nomination for her work in Precious, and she was going to walk away with the Award and be the 2nd African American comedic actress since Whoopi Goldberg’s performance in Ghost to do so for Best Supporting Actress. Now, after today’s news and rumors floating around we are not so sure of anything.What are we talking about? Well, according to numerous reports and sources, MoNique has decided to skip the New York Film Critics Awards next month, which is a great press opportunity for every actor associated with any film right before Awards season and during voting season. It is also a pivotal stop for those trying to win ANY award during award season because those NY Critics have a lot of “pull” and more towards the votes that are cast. Anyway, the group was going to give her an award for her excellent work in Precious, and now director Lee Daniels will accept on her behalf.
Why is Mo’Nique not going? Well, maybe it’s because she lives in Atlanta and has no one to look out for her brand new twins, and maybe it will take her away from her new day-time job, which is hosting her TV show on BET. We are not sure. Maybe she doesn’t feel the trip is going to help her financially.
Here are the facts that we do know; word went around the industry that Mo'Nique wouldn’t do publicity for the movie Precious 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 and also she’s also gone through several publicists. We also know that Mo'Nique doesn’t have that many SERIOUS acting credits under her belt, but she does have some comedies. But how many of those comedies are going to lead her to an Oscar? Before Precious, 2005’s films Shadowboxer and Domino was her last real serious roles.
Anyway, Mo’Nique stated on her show for folks to see her performance on the film and to judge her on that alone. Too bad Academy voters don’t think like this.
We think that snubbing the NYFCC is a plan she should reconsider. We feel she doesn’t understand that she’s already won this award and that this isn’t the same as doing publicity.
Another thing worth mentioning here is that several years ago Eddie Murphy was a considered a slam dunk for the 2006 Best Supporting Actor role as James “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls, but then the film Norbit was released during the voting season and it is believed that the Academy voters shunned Murphy because of all of the negative press he was getting from African American Women who despised his role in that film. The press reported that fact repeatedly during that time.
This brings up the question; do Academy voters listen to the press? We think so. What do you think?
Questions or comments? Please email us at thehumormill.info@gmail.com
9 comments:
I think that with this film she really touched on an emotion that she hasn't full dealt with. Living in an sexually abused situation doesn't go away because you make a film or write a book about it and some times when revisiting that old place without the proper help towards healing can send a person into various mental overloads. People remember life doesn't stop when someone yells "cuts that's a wrap" oh how for many I wish it could.
I think that with this film she really touched on an emotion that she hasn't full dealt with. Living in an sexually abused situation doesn't go away because you make a film or write a book about it and some times when revisiting that old place without the proper help towards healing can send a person into various mental overloads. People remember life doesn't stop when someone yells "cuts that's a wrap" oh how for many I wish it could.
Heck yea they listen to press. Most of the academy voters are a bunch of old geezeers anyway so they rely on the press. I heard somewhere Moniques priority was her talk show which is why she wasn't doing any press. She wasn't concerned about winning an Oscar. But if she is already slated to win the Nyfca she should go an except it.
This is a very good topic, thanks for posting it. Everything affects everything. I know that sounds simple, but it is as simple as that.
The Academy Award (Oscar) is the highest achievement in movie business, I used to think less of it because few very Black people were recognized, but lately I have grown to respect it for what it is. To be Black and get one is a doubly high achievement, and yes the press has a lot to do with it.
About the money: Eventually we must learn that money isn't everything, but old habits are hard to break. I have to know what things to charge for (and how much to charge) and what things to not charge for, and to do those things because they will help my career, even when that means I get little or no money.
http://www.steviemack.com
Stevie is absolutely correct. I'd further his comment with this: Everything's not always about the money NOW, but rather the money later. Lee Daniels gave M'onique an opportunity to eat for a freakin' lifetime with that role. I hated the character but I loved the performance. She was brilliant. I don't think her issues have anything to do with the pain she suffered as a child. I think her issues have more to do with system black comedians and entertainers have had to deal with for centuries and that's the hustle. The hustle dictates, "I want my money now." The hustle wants the hook-up. The hustle rarely understands the value of paying other people (I know one of the publicists she used) THEIR worth and value but knows a lot about receiving their own. The hustle never knows when to stop hustling and start leveraging. People criticized Bernie Mack, but Mr. Mack knew how to leverage his opportunities. I've worked for people who have had stellar opportunities but as soon as their wells run dry, they dumb down instead waiting and strategizing or even investing in themselves by paying a real team. That would be M'onique. And that's sad. My hope for her would be that she'd take the Mary J. Blige pill and switch her mental gears. Mary will eat for a lifetime. She gets it now. Anyone in film knows when you're invited to not one but multiple film circles, you've got an Oscar. As for the folks who vote, they only pay attention to media when it serves them best. Otherwise, there is a hierarchy and establishment. If they don't want you, you won't get anything. Ask Steven Spielberg, Spike and other former outsiders. And the critics loved them.
Stevie is absolutely correct. I'd further his comment with this: Everything's not always about the money NOW, but rather the money later. Lee Daniels gave M'onique an opportunity to eat for a freakin' lifetime with that role. I hated the character but I loved the performance. She was brilliant. I don't think her issues have anything to do with the pain she suffered as a child. I think her issues have more to do with system black comedians and entertainers have had to deal with for centuries and that's the hustle. The hustle dictates, "I want my money now." The hustle wants the hook-up. The hustle rarely understands the value of paying other people (I know one of the publicists she used) THEIR worth and value but knows a lot about receiving their own. The hustle never knows when to stop hustling and start leveraging. People criticized Bernie Mack, but Mr. Mack knew how to leverage his opportunities. I've worked for people who have had stellar opportunities but as soon as their wells run dry, they dumb down instead waiting and strategizing or even investing in themselves by paying a real team. That would be M'onique. And that's sad. My hope for her would be that she'd take the Mary J. Blige pill and switch her mental gears. Mary will eat for a lifetime. She gets it now. Anyone in film knows when you're invited to not one but multiple film circles, you've got an Oscar. As for the folks who vote, they only pay attention to media when it serves them best. Otherwise, there is a hierarchy and establishment. If they don't want you, you won't get anything. Ask Steven Spielberg, Spike and other former outsiders. And the critics loved them.
I think that Mo'Nique is proud of her work in the film but didn't like the person she became during and after filming. This was a very gritty, dark role she played.Sometimes Actors get so deep into character that it takes them a while to find their way out. Because of unresolved issues from her past, this film has opened fresh wounds for both her, Tyler Perry and Oprah. The other side of the coin is that as an African American actress whether you think you have arrived or not..you are ALWAYS on the grind.
Do whatever it takes to make your film a success is all a part of the work. As a professional, she needs to put her personal feelings aside and do the work. It is not very hard to get black balled in this business for being considered difficult to work with. At the end of the day is it really worth jeopardizing what you've worked so hard to accomplish?
In response to this supposition in your post:
"Why is Mo’Nique not going? Well, maybe it’s because she lives in Atlanta and has no one to look out for her brand new twins, and maybe it will take her away from her new day-time job, which is hosting her TV show on BET."
1.) Mo had nannies when she lived in LA and has nannies in Atlanta.
2.) Taping of the Mo'Nique show is on hiatus for the holiday season.
Mo'Nique's is just being Mo'Nique: ghetto, Baltimore and all around difficult to work with.
Please believe.
if you think living with a predator didn't effect her you must be crazy! spending time counseling victims had been my work for a while and i can't begin to describe the some of the long term after effects including become a predator that i dealt with. STOP being so insensitive and thoughtless, being sexually abused can be one of the most damaging things that could happen to a child, spilling into adulthood is a given in one form or another.
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