As reported by The Guardian, Oscar-winning actress Mo’Nique believes that the #OscarsSoWhite controversy obscures more vital issues of pay equality for actors. “We put so much on the Oscars, at this point we’re being misdirected… The focus should be on the pay checks and the unequal wages,” she states.
Hollywood Diversity Report Card Shows #OscarsSoWhite Might Not Change
“Anytime you hear Patricia Arquette and Gwyneth Paltrow, when you hear those white women say: ‘We’re not getting equal wages.’ Well if they are saying it, what do you think we’re getting? Let’s have a real and open conversation. That’s when change will happen in Hollywood.”
Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler Plan to Avoid #OscarsSoWhite Award Ceremony
In an interview with Variety, the star reveals she only earned $50,000 for her role in Precious, though the film grossed $47.5 million at the domestic box office. “That movie made a lot of money all over the world… Myself and Gabourey Sidibe, we should have become multi-millionaires off that movie, had we been given the right information.” The Guardian reports that Precious made $63.6 million worldwide on a budget of $10 million.
The Positive Message Buried in Mo’Nique’s Controversial Marriage Confession
Since winning the Oscar for her starring role in Precious, Mo’Nique says she has had to turn down roles because the salaries offered were less than what she was earning 10 years ago – even before her Academy Award win.