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
