Mo’Nique compares sex and racial discrimination, retaliatory lawsuit to Netflix… after they offered her $500,000 for a comedy special and refused to increase the number
Netflix and Mo’Nique have settled a potentially landmark lawsuit alleging gender and racial discrimination.
The case dates back to a 2017 meeting between the Oscar-winning Precious star and the streaming site, which was then looking to expand its stand-up comedy content.
Mo’Nique, real name Monique Hicks, 54, turned down a 2017 $500,000 offer for a comedy special that would see the streaming service have complete control over the hour-long show, including copyright and retaining all audio-only rights.
Settled: Mo’Nique and Neflix have settled a lawsuit alleging gender and racial discrimination and retaliation three years after the 54-year-old actress filed the complaint against the streaming giant. Pictured Atlanta January 2016
Retaliation: The Oscar winner called the streamer’s original $500,000 offer for an hour-long comedy discriminatory. She later accused the executives of retaliation when they refused to continue negotiations
When she turned down the offer, the Bessie actress told executives that she felt the low-ball offer was discriminatory.
Instead of continuing negotiations, Netflix left the table.
The comedian and her lawyers filed a lawsuit in 2019, arguing that ending talks for the deal was retaliation because the usual practice is to start with a low number and gradually increase the offer until an agreement is reached.
Other: The Almost Christmas actress said in an interview in 2018 that she was concerned that accepting the low offer would affect other women of color in her negotiations with Netflix
They claimed that white women like Amy Schumer and Ellen DeGeneres and men including Dave Chapelle and Ricky Gervais reportedly made tens of millions of dollars for their comedy specials.
Amy was reportedly supposed to get $11 million for The Leather Special, but upon learning of the high prices associated with male-directed specials, she renegotiated and received her deal with the streaming giant, paying $13 million Dollar earned for complaint.
In a 2018 interview with Sway in the Morning, the BMF actress admitted she was concerned that accepting such a low offer would affect other women of color.
Millions: Mo’Nique argued that white women like Ellen DeGeneres, 64, and Amy Schumer, 41, made tens of millions of dollars for their comedy specials
Top dollar: The complaint included information about the millions of dollars paid to male comics like Rickey Gervais, 60, and Dave Chappelle, 48, for their deals
“If I accept $500,000, what is Tiffany Haddish up to? If I accept that, what is the black comedian up to? Because what they’re going to say is, “Mo’Nique accepted this and she accepted that.” So what are you up to?’
Netflix tried twice to dismiss the case, but US District Judge Andre Birotte Jr. refused. In a 2020 opinion, the federal judge wrote, “At the very least, Mo’Nique’s allegations suggest that, had Netflix not challenged her offer as discriminatory, Netflix would have continued to negotiate with her in good faith and increased her offer.” . consistent with its usual practice in dealing with talent in the entertainment industry.’
The case was settled on Wednesday, but no details were disclosed from the deal, which ended the three-year legal battle.