Mo’Nique Discusses Taraji P. Henson’s Comments on Pay Inequality in Hollywood, Says She Shared Those Sentiments Over a Decade Ago & Wasn’t Taken Seriously [Video]

Mo’Nique is speaking out about Taraji P. Henson, sharing the painful pay disparities she has experienced.

The comedian sat down with Shannon Sharpe for his “Club Shay Shay” podcast. Naturally, everyone was eager to know her thoughts on Henson breaking down during the press run for “The Color Purple” over her low pay and subpar working conditions despite her many strides throughout her career.

Mo’Nique revealed that she and Henson spoke over a decade ago about a similar matter, and Henson tried encouraging Mo by stating, “You gotta keep on getting it until your turn come.” However, Mo disagreed with this, as she’d been in the industry long enough to know that “Most of us die before our turn comes.” Fast forward to now, Henson is sadly living this realization despite her hard work. Mo believes she wasn’t taken seriously when she said it first due to several reasons.

.@ShannonSharpe: Why wasn’t it propped up when Mo'Nique said it?@moworldwide: It was the messenger. You’re a big, fat Black woman. How dare you?

Full episode is streaming now Club Shay Shay's YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. pic.twitter.com/ZebHYjIm0h

— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) February 7, 2024

“It was the messenger. I should just be grateful I got invited to the party. You’re a big, fat Black woman. How dare you be the one? And then on top of that, you’re saying names,” Mo’Nique explained, referencing how she called out movie moguls such as Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Lee Daniels.

Mo’Nique famously made similar claims about low pay and unfair standards for Black actors shortly after the release of her film, “Precious” in 2009. This led to Mo being seemingly blackballed.

.@ShannonSharpe: Why wasn’t it propped up when Mo'Nique said it?@moworldwide: It was the messenger. You’re a big, fat Black woman. How dare you?

Full episode is streaming now Club Shay Shay's YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. pic.twitter.com/ZebHYjIm0h

— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) February 7, 2024