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Mo’Nique Calls for Netflix Boycott

The comedian claims bias in the company’s pay discrepancies.
Monique In Almost Christmas
By  · Published on January 22nd, 2018

The comedian claims bias in the company’s pay discrepancies.

Comedian and Oscar-winning actress Mo’Nique is calling for a boycott of Netflix due to what she calls “gender bias and color bias.” In a video posted to her Instagram (via Deadline), she revealed:

“I was offered a $500,000 deal last week to do a comedy special. However, Amy Schumer was offered $11 million, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, $20 million”

When she asked why her pay was so much less than her contemporaries (Schumer later upped her deal to be paid $13 million), she was apparently told that that was “what Mo’Nique would bring.” Watch the video for more of the story:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeIg0TUFgJ0/?hl=en

It is worth noting that Mo’Nique,  who recently turned 50, has been working steadily since 1999, beginning with a role on the UPN television series The Parkers.

It is also worth noting that out of all the aforementioned actors and comedians, she is the only one to have won an Academy Award — for her role in the 2009 movie Precious. More recently, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in the 2015 TV movie Bessie.

After fellow comedian Wanda Sykes tweeted in support of the boycott, stating that she was offered even less and wound up going with a different streaming service, Mo’Nique took to Instagram again.

“How is it that Wanda Sykes and Mo’Nique, together, these two black women, who have 50-plus years in the comedy game, be offered $750,000 between the both of us, and Amy Schumer gets $13 million?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeOW4r1l-jh/

This is not the first time Netflix has offered large payouts for comedy specials. Before cancelling his second stand-up program in the wake of recent sexual harassment allegations, Louis CK was paid $40 million for two specials. And Jerry Seinfeld was reportedly paid $100 million by Netflix for a collection of his work, including stand-up specials and Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

Netflix has yet to comment.

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Freelance writer. Proud owner of over 50 phalanges.