By AFRO Staff
Director Lee Daniels and Mo’Nique made Oscar-winning magic onscreen with Precious—and then the comedian claimed the filmmaker “blackballed” her from the industry, thereafter, for her failure to participate in the film’s promotional tour.
Now the pair have squashed the proverbial beef and are reuniting for a new film after a 13-year estrangement.
Daniels, 62, made a guest appearance at Mo’Nique’s New York comedy show, “Mo’Nique and Friends: April Fools’ Day with The Queen of Comedy” on April 1 and publically apologized to her for the disagreement.
“It took me a long time to realize this but I am so sorry or hurting you in any way that I did,” Daniels told the 54-year-old comedian, according to a video clip posted on Twitter.
“Y’all, she was my best friend — my best friend. Y’all think that Precious was just … That was God working through both of us,” he continued, adding, “And we’re gonna f–king do it again.”
The pair then embraced, exchanging “I love yous” before a screaming audience.
Mo’Nique will appear in Daniels’ new film, Demon House, which will appear on Netflix. The comedian, whose full name is Monique Angela Hicks, was selected for the role after Octavia Spencer dropped out due to a scheduling conflict. According to Deadline, Mo’Nique will play a social worker who assists a family undergoing a series of exorcisms. The cast will also feature Glen Close; Andra Day, who received an Oscar nod for The United States vs. Billie Holiday; Don’t Look Up’s Rob Morgan; Stranger Things’ Caleb McLaughlin and King Richard’s Aunjanue Ellis.
Meanwhile, rapper and businessman 50 Cent is taking credit for the reconciliation and Mo’Nique’s new gig after a month-long campaign to “put her back on” and encourage Hollywood big-wigs to give the Oscar-winning actress new opportunities.
His efforts began publically on March 4 when he praised the comedian for her stand-up performance during Super Bowl weekend. 50 also reached out to Oprah and Tyler Perry – who Mo’Nique also blamed for her status non grata – to end the supposed tiff.
“I Gotta get @therealmoworldwide back in pocket,” he wrote on Instagram. “We only suppose to cancel sh-t that ain’t good for the culture. We need you to WIN again now MONIQUE.”
At the news of Mo’Nique’s new gig, the rapper crowed, “See now @therealmoworldwide is back, all they needed was a little motivation to stop the bullsh-t. Now we are all happy, let’s get back to work.”
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