Mo’Nique is Suing Netflix for Alleged Race and Gender Discrimination

Award-winning actress Mo’Nique is suing streaming giant Netflix for race and gender discrimination, nearly two years after calling for a boycott against Netflix for allegedly low-bidding her.

In a lawsuit filed against Netflix in Los Angeles Superior Court Thursday, the Oscar-winning comedian claims the company offered her significantly less money for a comedy special in comparison to her fellow male and white comedians, NBC News reports.

“Despite Mo’Nique’s extensive résumé and documented history of comedic success, when Netflix presented her with an offer of employment for an exclusive stand-up comedy special, Netflix made a lowball offer that was only a fraction of what Netflix paid other (non-Black female) comedians,” the lawsuit says, citing multi-million dollar offers for talent including Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer and Ricky Gervais.

In 2018, Netflix offered Mo’Nique $500,000 for a comedy special and refused to negotiate further, the lawsuit said, adding, that the streamer “offered Schumer 26 times more per show than Mo’Nique.”

On Thursday, the 51-year-old comedian confirmed the lawsuit on Instagram, writing, “I had a choice to make: I could accept what I felt was pay discrimination or I could stand up for those who came before me and those who will come after me. I chose to stand up.”