In a candid conversation on the Club Shea podcast, Monique aired her grievances against media mogul Oprah Winfrey, asserting that the iconic talk show host owes her numerous apologies.
The Oscar-winning actress didn’t hold back, expressing her frustrations during an almost three-hour interview with Shannon Sharpe.
Her words resonated with passion, especially when she emphasized her admiration for Winfrey, despite their complicated history.
Monique’s discontent traces back to 2010, the year she snagged the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film “Precious.”
That night, her husband, Sidney Hicks, noticed that Winfrey seemed displeased with the audience’s support for Monique over her.
This moment marked the beginning of what Monique perceives as a series of missed opportunities in her career, particularly when roles she believed were meant for her, like Gloria Gaines in “The Butler,” ultimately went to Winfrey.
When Monique expressed her concerns to Lee Daniels, the director of “The Butler,” he reportedly told her that he lacked the clout or resources to deny Winfrey the part.
This was not an isolated incident; Monique recounted a similar experience when she accepted a role in a Richard Pryor biopic, suspecting that Winfrey and Tyler Perry were working together to hinder her success in Hollywood.
Adding fuel to the fire, Monique revealed that Perry had once confessed to her that he had spread rumors about her being difficult to work with.
However, when she attempted to share this information with others, they seemed more shocked by her secret recording of the conversation than by Perry’s actions.
This led her to question how people of color can thrive in the industry when they are often manipulated and taken advantage of.
Monique recalled a phone call from Winfrey, in which the media icon mentioned receiving an apology from Monique’s brother, Gerald Imes.
Winfrey offered to cancel an appearance if it would help, but Monique advised against it, feeling that the gesture was insincere.
She expressed disappointment that Winfrey didn’t inform her that her family would be present to discuss her traumatic past, which felt like a betrayal.
Throughout the years, Monique has made several attempts to address her issues with Winfrey directly, but she claims to have been repeatedly rebuffed.
“I tried to talk to you privately, but then you became the great and powerful Oprah Winfrey and were too busy to talk,” she lamented.
Now, she feels compelled to speak out publicly about her grievances.
Reflecting on her past admiration for Winfrey, Monique expressed her hurt and frustration that someone she once looked up to has seemingly turned against her.
“I’m hurt that you all would allow yourselves to sit in something that you know you messed up and remain silent,” she stated, highlighting the emotional toll this situation has taken on her.
Moreover, Monique voiced her desire for Perry to compensate her for the roles she lost due to the damaging rumors he allegedly spread.
This ongoing saga illustrates the complexities of relationships in Hollywood, especially among people of color trying to navigate a challenging industry.
In a separate chapter of her career, Monique also took legal action against Netflix in 2019, claiming they offered her an unreasonably low deal for a comedy special.
After a lengthy battle, the two parties reached a settlement last June, culminating in the release of her special “I Am Monique” in April.
As Monique continues to navigate her tumultuous relationship with Winfrey and others in the industry, her story serves as a reminder of the challenges many face in the pursuit of success.
Her experiences underscore the importance of open dialogue and accountability, especially among those who hold significant influence in the entertainment world.
