Mo’Nique Sues Netflix For Discrimination

Comedienne Mo’Nique has sued Netflix for racial and gender discrimination.

The Oscar-winning actress is accusing the streaming giant of discrimination on how it negotiated a comedy special with her around November 2017.

Mo’Nique sues Netflix

Mo’Nique says Netflix tried to substantially underpay her for a stand-up special after offering other stars millions more.

Specifically, Mo’Nique cited Amy Shumer, who Netflix offered $11 million for an hour-long stand-up special (she eventually got $13 mil).

Netflix only offered Mo’Nique $500,000 for her stand-up special.

Mo’Nique never accepted the offer and went on a public campaign against the company calling for a boycott.

Lawsuit details 

In the 39-page suit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Mo’Nique calls out everyone from the top executives of the Netflix management team to highlighting the gender wage gap and lack of diversity in Hollywood.

She claims Netflix has a severe lack of diversity, which contributes to their discriminatory practices.

Specifically, she claims one Netflix exec, the Chief Communications Officer, used the n-word in a meeting with 60 people in 2018. Mo’Nique was not present for that meeting.

She also claims Netflix allowed Kevin Spacey to use the n-word while on the set of “House of Cards” without any consequence. In the suit, she alleges Spacey complained to his personal security guards, “I don’t want [n-words] on my set anymore.” She’s not suing Spacey.

“Despite Mo’Nique’s extensive résumé, when presented with an opportunity to do an exclusive stand-up comedy special for Netflix, she was given a low-ball offer that was only a fraction of what Netflix paid other comedians,” according to the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

The lawsuit was filed on her behalf by attorneys at the deRubertis Law Firm, APC and Schimmel & Parks, APLC.