Netflix Responds To Mo’Nique’s Race/Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

(AllHipHop News) Mo’Nique finally sued Netflix in Los Angeles County Superior Court over what she perceives to be discriminatory actions by the streaming giant. The Oscar-winning actress claims the company proposed a low-ball stand-up special deal compared to other comedians.

“When the talent was not a Black woman, Netflix offered to pay, and did pay, astronomically more than it pays to Black women like it offered to Mo’Nique,” reads the suit. 

She was supposedly presented $500,000 as a “talent fee” in comparison to multi-million dollar offers for men and white women. Jerry Seinfeld ($100 million), Dave Chapelle ($60 million), Chris Rock ($40 million), Ricky Gervais ($40 million), and Amy Schumer ($13 million) were reportedly given much higher financial terms.

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Mo also accused Netflix of lacking racial diversity in executive positions and not responding fast enough when House of Cards actor Kevin Spacey and Chief Communications Officer Jonathan Friedland allegedly used racist language. Netflix is denying Mo’Nique’s allegations of race and gender discrimination.

“We care deeply about inclusion, equity, and diversity and take any accusations of discrimination very seriously,” a Netflix spokesperson told NBC News. “We believe our opening offer to Mo’Nique was fair — which is why we will be fighting this lawsuit.”

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In 2018, Mo’Nique called on her Instagram followers to boycott Netflix for color and gender bias. The star of The Parkers, Precious, and Bessie posted a video explaining why she was asking her fans to stop supporting the home of Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, Top Boy, When They See Us, Dear White People, Rapture, Hip-Hop Evolution, Rhythm + Flow, and other programs.

Fellow Black comedienne Wanda Sykes spoke out in support of Mo’Nique last year by revealing she also rejected an inadequate deal from Netflix. However, the Emmy winner eventually released her Not Normal comedy special on the platform after “they moved that comma.”