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THR: How do you respond to those who criticize Hattie McDaniel for only taking maid roles?
Mo’Nique: If they knew who this woman really was, they would say, “Let me shut my mouth.” If they really understood the fights behind the scenes, the conversations we’ll never have the opportunity to hear. And then you say to those people, “Well, tell me what other roles were available.” Because what she was was an actress — and at that time, she wasn’t getting the roles that her white counterparts were getting. She was saying, “I’m an actress. When you say ‘cut,’ I’m not (a maid anymore).” So I say to those people: know that woman in full before you judge.
THR: Is that what you meant in your acceptance speech about her enduring everything she had to go through so that you would not have to?
Mo’Nique: Do you know I keep a picture of Hattie McDaniel in my closet in an 8-by-10 frame? As I’m looking at her right now, it looks like her smile is shifting. Yes, I’m talking about you, Miss Hattie McDaniel! (Laughs.) What that woman had to endure was criticism from the white community and the black community. She didn’t have options to say, “No, I’m not going to accept that,” because she was an actress. I’m just grateful. I’m appreciative that she endured all of that so that this little girl named Mo’Nique wouldn’t have to.
THR: Did you face the same kinds of criticisms about your role in “Precious,” that it put the wrong kinds of images out there? You’ve said in the past it was a difficult decision to take the part.
Mo’Nique: It was never a hard decision for me to take that role. When I got that script from Lee Daniels, by the time I got to page 10, I called him and said, “Lee, what the hell is this? What is this?” And I said, “Listen — if we do what’s on this paper, we can help save lives.”
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THR: But you were interested, and the offers suddenly evaporated?
Mo’Nique: For each of the roles, (Lee) called me. He’s always approached me first, and I’m appreciative of it, because I think he is one of the most brilliant visionaries in writing and directing. I’ll say this: Whenever you do see me on TV again, or in the movies, you’ll know somebody played me fairly. People say to me sometimes, “Mo’Nique, you’re trying to be a mogul.” It’s like, honey, by no means am I trying to be a mogul — because mogul stands for “money obsessed guys (or girls), usually lonely.” (Laughs.) I don’t want to be a lonely mogul. No.
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THR: What about your planned Hattie McDaniel biopic?
Mo’Nique: In having my conversations with Hattie McDaniel, you know what she said? “Mo’Nique, my story’s already been told. There needs to be a new story told.” So all I’ll do right now is wink my eye to you over the phone when I say that. (Laughs.)
*Lee Daniels issued this statement to THR in response:
“Mo’nique is a creative force to be reckoned with. Her demands through Precious were not always in line with the campaign. This soured her relationship with the Hollywood community. I consider her a friend. I have and will always think of her for parts that we can collaborate on. However, the consensus among the creative teams and powers thus far were to go another way with these roles.”
