Mo’Nique Recalls Hiding Her Bisexuality From Her Family Out Of Fear In New Standup Special: Watch

Though she spent several years out of the spotlight after being cancelled among some of Hollywood’s most elite, Mo’Nique is back in a big way. Her most recent work comes in the form of a Netflix comedy special called My Name Is Mo’Nique, in which she chiefly comes out as a bisexual woman. According to the Precious actress, she spent many of her younger years ashamed of the fantasies she had and even avoided speaking to her family about such thoughts out of fear. Her grandmother, MiMi, apparently “could not come to grips that she had a gay daughter” of her own, causing “confusion” for the young girl at the time.

“And I felt cowardly when my grandmother left because I couldn’t tell my grandmother who her granddaughter really was,” the 55-year-old told the audience while breaking down in tears. “I adored how she adored me,” Mo’Nique added, recalling fond memories of MiMi’s affectionate nature. “I couldn’t tell my grandmother my secret thoughts and my fantasies ’cause I… Did not want her to leave this earth thinking she was a failure. Because had I told her my secret thoughts, she would have left thinking she had failed,” she later said.

Comedian Gets Vulnerable During My Name Is Mo’Nique Special

In a shocking revelation, Mo’Nique then admitted her bisexuality to the audience, noting that she’s “not all the way” lesbian. The Maryland native noted that she was never able to admit her truth to MiMi, as she found it incredibly difficult to confess her desires “out loud.” The embattled entertained continued, “Do you know how hard it is to keep a secret? Secrets cause cancer. When you’re born with that, there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. Nothing. And please understand I tried.”

During her Netflix special, she recalled sleeping with “as many men as she could” to avoid any speculation of “something [being] wrong” with her. “I promised that I would never tell anyone, that I would take that to my grave. Because I saw how they treated the people in my family with that ‘disease.’ Because they made us believe it was a ‘disease,’ right?” Thankfully, Mo’Nique eventually found a confidant in her husband, Sidney Hicks. “‘I want to be with another woman sexually,’” she reportedly told him. “He looked at me so beautifully and so patient and so loving and said, ‘Bitch, me too,’” the starlet quipped. Check out the show’s full trailer below, and tap back in later for more pop culture news updates.

Netflix Trailer

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Mo’Nique’s Open Marriage: Actress Explains Decision To Stop Being Non-Monogamous

Mo’Nique, the Oscar-winning comedian and actress, reveals that she and her husband have ceased their open marriage. In a recent interview, the Maryland native goes into detail about her thoughts on the arrangement now compared to years ago. The couple once agreed that sleeping with others would not impact their marriage. This was the case for some time, but as they both grew older, Mo’Nique began to change her mind. Still, her reasons do not appear to be out of jealousy, or regret.

It is not uncommon for long-term couples to explore the possibility of an open relationship. However, it’s also not uncommon for people to change their minds after opening their love lives. In the case of Mo’Nique and her husband Sidney Hicks, their age was one of the biggest factors. The actress states in her interview that “Life began to happen.” As the two grew older, their relationship grew stronger. As a result, they now have a bond that neither wants to risk by adding someone else to the mix.

Mo’Nique Grew Out Of Her Open Marriage

Actress Mo’Nique and Sidney Hicks attend Outfest Fusion’s LGBT People Of Color Film Festival’s opening night screening of “Blackbird” hosted at the Egyptian Theatre on March 14, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jennifer Lourie/FilmMagic)

Open marriages are still a controversial subject. However, Mo’Nique is not a stranger to controversy in the entertainment world, as well as being honest about her life. The couple has been married since 2006, making their marriage over 15 years old. A lot can happen and change within that time. “He loved me at my worst,” she shared in her recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I didn’t want to sacrifice that for just a lay. So I grew out of that.” Now, the couple is stronger than ever despite who else may have been involved.

While a lot of couples are growing apart from each other, it’s good to see a couple grow closer together. Not every open marriage ends poorly, and their relationship has been a testament to that. Sidney Hicks has stated in the past that their open arrangement would never phase his love for her. The two are incredibly close and have known each other for a long time. The idea to open their relationship was Mo’Nique’s at the time, but so was the decision to close it off. Check back later for more pop culture news updates.

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Mo’Nique Still Demands Apology From Tyler Perry & Oprah

She’s back on track after allegedly being blackballed by the industry, and Mo’Nique is demanding her recompense. For years, Mo’Nique has been open about the tension involving Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels, and Oprah Winfrey. She claims she was tagged with the reputation of being difficult to deal with and insisted the trio was behind a plot to stifle her career. There has been silence from Winfrey’s camp, and Perry seemed to acknowledge Mo’Nique’s criticisms. Eventually, Daniels emerged with a public apology and interrupted one of Mo’Nique’s shows to deliver.

After mending past rifts, Daniels cast the Oscar-winning actress in BET+’s The Reading. The pair, who also worked on Precious together, caught up with The Hollywood Reporter and detailed their reunion. “Not only did I want to reach out to her, but I realized I wanted to work with her again. It’s crazy, sometimes, how life is.” When he called, it had been 13 years since Mo’Nique spoke with him. Daniels had been editing a film that Mo’Nique worked on years prior, and it reminded him of how talented she was.

Mo’Nique and Lee Daniels Come To Terms

Lee Daniels, Academy Award-nominated Producer/Director, and Mo’Nique, Academy Award-winning actor, pose for a photo at the 14th Annual Human Rights Campaign National Dinner at the Washington Convention Center on October 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage)

“He was like, ‘OK, so I want to talk to you about this part.’ I said, ‘Lee, we can’t talk about a part until we talk.’ And he was like, ‘I know.’ And then we had a real conversation. That was the moment that he said, ‘I’m going to apologize to you and your family for anything I’ve done to hurt y’all.’” He decided to do it on a public platform that would undoubtedly be recorded and shared with the world. “There was no way that I was not going to apologize for anything that she thought that I did to her.”

“I don’t know if it’s ever been done in history — that a big Hollywood director came out and apologized to an actress for a wrongdoing,” said Mo’Nique. Daniels added, “I’m just happy to have my friend back.” However, the actress still “demands” an apology from Winfrey and Perry. She also touched on her beef with D.L. Hughley that erupted after she claimed he was upset about her receiving equal top billing at a comedy show. Amid the controversy, and after mentioning the abuse Hughley’s daughter endured, Mo’Nique stood by her comments.

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Mo’Nique Teases Her Latest Netflix Comedy Special

Netflix has announced that Mo’Nique has a new stand-up comedy special coming out. The Grammy-nominated, Oscar and Golden Globe award-winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique’s new stand-up comedy smash will be titled My Name is Mo’Nique. Netflix Is A Joke released a video including backstage shenanigans with the star. For example, she dances with the cast crew of the special and walks to the stage. She explains the name of the special, saying “I give y’all my word. After 72 minutes, y’all gon’ know why this sh*t is called My Name is Mo’Nique.”

Apparently, Netflix and Mo’Nique filmed the special last October at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time, Mo’Nique wrote in a November 1 Instagram caption, “My sweet babies thanks to everyone that came out and celebrated this moment with us. MY NAME IS MO’NIQUE LIVE COMEDY TAPING COMING ON NETFLIX!” Mo’Nique also wrote, “WHAT A MOMENT!! I LOVE US 4REAL.” Watch Netflix’s date announcement below:

“My Name Is Mo’Nique”

In her special, My Name is Mo’Nique, fans will get to see her deliver a show-stopping performance on stage. Apparently, there will be hilarious stories that will explain why she is the way that she is. Additionally, she’ll discuss how the city of Baltimore, Maryland shaped her into the woman she is today. Impressively, Through her sense of humor, she will reveal more about herself than she ever has. Furthermore, she will give perspective on some harsh realities that come with life.

Furthermore, Mo’Nique’s Netflix stand-up comedy special follows the announcement that she will star in the film that Lee Daniels is directing. The film, titled The Deliverance, will also have a release on the same streaming platform in the future. When this was announced, many were surprised. Apparently, Mo’Nique and Daniels have a feuding history due to what happened on the promotional circuit for the critically acclaimed and celebrated film, Precious. However, it seems that the two must have buried the hatchet. Additionally, L. Frazier directed the new special and will serve as executive producer alongside her husband Sidney Hicks. Netflix will release My Name is Monique globally on April 4.

The Comedian Shows Appreciation

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[WATCH] She’s BAAACK! Netflix Drops Mo’Nique Comedy Special Teaser

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Following her huge success with BET+ film The Reading, and her debut on the Starz hit series “BMF”,  the trailer of Mo’Nique’s Netflix special “My Name is Mo’Nique.”
After 13 years off the Hollywood grid, Mo’Nique is on a mission to take back her crown as the Queen On Comedy.

The grammy-nominated, Oscar and Golden Globe award-winning actor and comedian is back with a new stand-up special, premiering globally on Netflix April 4th.

On Wednesday, the streamer released a video taking fans behind the scenes of the original comedy special.

“Why did I title this special My Name Is Mo’Nique? I give y’all my word, after 72 minutes, y’all gon’ know why this s**t is called My Name Is Mo’Nique,” the actress says in the teaser with a smile. “Y’all might say, ‘Damn, we didn’t know we was gonna find out all that!’ Yes, my name is Mo’Nique. This one right here is personal.”

“When you walk away from this one, when you’ve turned your TV off from this one, you’ll say, ‘Now we understand that woman,’” she continues. “For 32 years, I have been funny, and I’m grateful for that gift. But this show right here really allows you to understand why I swing like I swing… There are things I’m going to say in this comedy special that I thought I would take to my grave.”

Directed by L. Frazier and executive produced by Mo’Nique and her husband, Sidney Hicks, My Name Is Mo’Nique will balance comedy with insights about the comedian’s life and upbringing in Baltimore. The special was shot on Oct. 29 at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts.

In 2022, Mo’Nique settled her discrimination lawsuit with Netflix over a pay dispute. She had publicly blasted the company in 2018 after claiming the streamer was looking to underpay her to the tune of $500,000 for a one-hour standup special, and then in 2019, she filed a discrimination suit against Netflix. Details regarding the settlement remain under wraps, but the two parties appear to be in a good place with their upcoming hour-long special.

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How The Little Mermaid’s Cast Would Have Looked If It Was All People Of Color

SOHH'S Little Mermaid Cast: Halle Bailey x Safaree x King Combs x Mo'Nique

Racist comments have flooded the internet, attacking Halle Bailey for being cast for The Little Mermaid’s fictional main character, Ariel. What if the entire cast were people of color? Here are SOHH’s top picks for Disney’s The Little Mermaid if the whole cast were people of color. 1. Halle Bailey As Ariel As the popular […]

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Mo’Nique Partners With Netflix For New Comedy Special

Mo'Nique

Mo’Nique is back in action. The iconic comedian recently announced partnering with Netflix for her new upcoming comedy special. Mo took to Instagram to share the exciting news five years after her original comedy special offer.  She has finally come to terms with the popular streaming service, and the anticipated comedy special is underway.  In […]

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[WATCH] Mo’Nique Issues An Apology To DL Hughley’s Family

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Last week Mo’Nique and DL Hughley had a knock down drag out fight over a contract dispute where Mo’Nique crossed the line by attacking DL’s wife and kids [click here if you missed that].

Mo’Nique has apologized…

Last night during her comedy show in Raleigh, NC Mo’Nique opened her set by apologizing to DL Hughley’s Family.

“I’d like to consider myself a woman of honor. So I’m about to do something right now publicly that I did publicly. And when I f**k something up, I gotta fix it up. So I’m gon’ take care of that right now before I go any motherf**king further. To D.L. Hughley’s family, I wanna publicly apologize if I hurt anyone’s feelings. I want to publicly apologize to his wife, his babies if I hurt their feelings because that was never my god d**n intention.”

“Oh but that ni**a D.L., I meant every mutherf**king thing I said.”

Watch the video below.

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Mo’Nique Delivers Backhanded Apology To D.L. Hughley And His Family, Says “I Meant Every Mother F*cking Thing”

Mo'nique's Lawsuit Against Netflix is Moving Forward

It seems like the feud might be over. Well kind of.

Over the weekend, Mo’Nique issued a public apology to D.L. Hughley’s family, saying that she apologized if she hurt anyone’s feelings.

“I’d like to consider myself a woman of honor. So I’ve got to do something right now publicly that I did publicly,” Mo’Nique said. “And when I f*ck something up, I’ve got to fix it up. So I’m going to take care of that right now before I go any motherf*king further. To D.L. Hughley’s family, I want to publicly apologize if I hurt anyone’s feelings.”

She went on to apologize to D.L.’s wife and children because it was never her intention to hurt them. “I want to publicly apologize to his wife, his babies if I hurt their feelings because that was never my goddamn intention. I never meant to hurt their feelings.”

However, she did not keep that same energy for D.L. In fact, she doubled down on her statements saying that she “meant every motherf*cking word.”

“Oh, but that n*gga D.L., I meant every motherf*king thing I said,” Mo’Nique said.

D.L. has not since responded, but this comes weeks after D.L. addressed Mo’Nique and called her a “monster” for weaponizing his daughter’s sexual trauma in order to hurt him. Multiple times during his statement he told Mo’Nique to leave his children out of their beef.

“The final straw and the last breath I’ll waste on a monster so HEINOUS, they would try to open a wound and weaponize a young woman’s past personal trauma. That young woman happens to be my daughter and it ends today” D.L. wrote in the caption of his IG post.

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Monique Reportedly Settles Discrimination Lawsuit With Netflix

Mo'Nique

Mo’Nique has settled her lawsuit against Netflix after claiming the streaming service refused to negotiate with her for a proposed 2017 comedy special. She accused the company of discrimination and making a low offer. Michael Parks told the Hollywood Reporter, “The matter has been amicably resolved.”  Netflix has not made a comment. According to court […]

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