Mo’Nique, fresh from her Golden Globe nomination and SAG award nomination for her searing performance in the film “Precious,” says that the breakthrough role has done more than put her on the map as a serious actress. The preparation and character study she did in order to convincingly play the part of Precious’ abusive mother made her confront and ultimately understand the abuse she suffered as a child, at the hands of her own brother. Mo’Nique says she now forgives her brother for molesting her and hopes he will get help.
Mo’Nique is going through a very public forgiveness in her new movie Precious – a performance that was not easy but has earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
“I know Mary Jones. I know that monster,” Mo’Nique told Joy Behar on her show Tuesday night of her character, a mentally ill, abusive mother. “That character for me, in my life, was my older brother.”
The actress, 42, revealed in 2008 to Essence that she was sexually molested at 7 years old by her teenage brother. “I didn’t tell my parents until I was 15-years-old. [Unlike Precious] I had my family, but when you go through that as a child, you really don’t know which way to turn,” she said.
Although she opened up to her parents as a teen, Mo’Nique, who has not spoken to her brother in years, said she didn’t really confront her past until she was an adult. “I’m angry. I’m mad. I’m hurt. I’m crying, but doing this movie made me say, ‘You know what? I forgive.’ I forgive and I wish he would get the help that he needs, so no one else will go through it,” she said.
She adds: “Understanding Mary Jones in her sickness really made me understand my brother in his sickness. Not all molesters are bad people. We want to make them these monsters. It’s a sickness and if we address it as a sickness and try to get help, so many of us wouldn’t have a story to tell.”
Mo’Nique has said in other interviews that there were times during the shoot of the film when she wasn’t sure if she could go through with some of the things she was asked to do as part of the character. I’m sure she’s happy she pushed herself through it now, because she’s one of the favorites for the Supporting Actress category at the Golden Globes and even a contender for an Oscar nomination. It can’t be easy to play a role like this, especially when you have your own abuse story in real life. But in this instance, it helped her.
Mo’Nique at the AFI Film Festival premiere of ‘Precious’ on November 1, 2009. Also, two promotional images from ‘Precious’ with Mo’Nique in character. Credit: WENN.
I think she did an excellent job in this role and she deserves all of the attention that she’s getting…you literally go from hating her to feeling pity for her…excellent job…go see this movie if you think you can handle it
That story gave me chills, which is why I’m so reluctant to see “Precious.” It just looks so harrowing. Very nice write up MSat.
CB, it isn’t easy to watch, but that’s what makes it good in my opinion because there is this “raw” quality about it…Gabourey Sidibe (spelling) did an excellent job also, especially for it being her first movie..it’s really a good flim
on a side note, if you haven’t seen any of her interviews (G.S.), youtube them, she’s adorable and makes you want to be her friend because she so sweet
Precious is hard to watch at times, but it was not a sad movie IMHO. It’s very raw as Lena said. Overall, it’s an amazing film. The best of 2009 so far for me. It’s truly moving and had me thinking about it for the next few days. And..Mo’Nique and Gabby are amazing in it.
I’ve been wanting to see this movie really badly, but I’m also trepidatious because I know it’s going to make me wince and cry. Still, the reviews are encouraging and I don’t want to miss what sound like two really powerful and endearing performances.
Now if only I can convince the boyfriend to see it with me ;)…
I find Mo’Nique kind of annoying, but she rocks this role. Her performance is powerful and memorable. I’m rooting for her to win an Oscar.
I was lucky to see it at a film festival and the director, Lee Daniels, was there. Prior to the screening he told the audience that yes, this was a difficult story, but he wanted us to find the humor in it, also. There definitely are moments of humor, and some warm hearted moments, too. It’s a slice of life story, just of a very challenging life. “Precious” is hard to watch sometimes, but it is SO worth seeing. I highly recommend it. Don’t be scared to see it, you won’t regret it.
wow…this really makes me wanna see it! and good formo’nique for pushing thru..God bless her cuz in her situation its not easy
I actually read “Push” (the novel “Precious” is based on) for a class on Literacy and Diversity this semester before the movie came out. It’s heart-wrenching and sad, just like the movie. But I think it’s important to read the book, or at least see the movie. This is an issue that we too often turn away from because it’s so painful, but isn’t that ultimately one of the reasons that the cycle of abuse continues?
We had a lot of discussions about our responsibility to report suspicious activities and protect children in general. We decided that our society has a long way to go, and that we need to step up in this area. Think of Jaycee DuGaurd – one of the neighbors interviewed about that incident snottily said it was none of her business, and that it was still nobody’s business. I was floored by that. No wonder she was trapped for 18 years, if that’s the attitude the neighbors had! When a child is being abused, it’s EVERYBODY’S business to stop that kind of torture. So let’s make a point to keep tabs on our neighbors and their kids, and to actually make a call to CPS when we see outright abuse occurring. That could be the phone call that releases a child from living hell. Caring enough, having enough compassion to take the time out of your day to make sure something is investigated says a lot about a person.
I am the biggest cry baby. I cry when I hear certain songs (heard Numb by Linkin Park today and teared up), watch certain movies – heck I even cry over some commercials. When I saw the trailer I cried. I have a DVD of the movie but haven’t watched it yet because I know I will cry and I’m just not ready for such an emotional ride. But after reading everyone’s glowing reviews I think I will watch it tonight.
But I know I’m gonna CRY!!!!!!!!!
I’m tired of actresses oversharing their personal problems. The proper forum to discuss her molestation issues would be with a psychiatrist not with random interviewers.
I am so proud of her…and i think she is too cute…
I’ll probably rent it better, I know will cry.
@Diva
Ummm. Unless you are a psychiatrist or one of these “actresses oversharing their personal problems” I don’t think you are in the position to dictate when and where they should discuss THEIR issues. If you find it so unpalatable, you don’t have to waste your time on it.
I saw Precious and it made me thankful that I wasn’t raised in such a “dysfunctional” environment. Unfortunately, too many children grow up perpetuating the hell they experienced as children. For those like Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey and Monique who have survived abusive predators, may they continue to be blessed. Precious was a very difficult story to portray and I’m glad Monique received some therapeutic benefits from it. Maybe other victims will find the strength to conquer their abuse related demons too.
If you ever do see a child who is being abused, speak out and contact CPS at the least. You can do it anonymously.
Sometimes, a child who is living that hell will tell a trusted adult after they take those classes in school about being abused and what is right and wrong. Sometimes, that trusted adult will tell the child they deserve it and that child wont speak up again. Would you if you believed you deserved every horrible thing that happened to you?
We are all responsible for notifying the correct people if we find out or have a real and valid reason to think that abuse has occurred. My issue with the upthread comment that we should all “keep tabs” on our neighbours and their kids is that it’s rather Big Brother and screamingly objective. I was yelled at by a random old man in our local shopping centre when my (special needs) then-toddler made a break for it. I had run after him and he then threw a massive tantrum on the ground. I was trying to pick him up and settle him and frankly stop the embarassment. Now, if random-guy had known my name or where I lived I am sure he would have reported me somewhere, rather than settling for telling me I was unfit to be a mother (he used many more words than that). And I am equally certain that he truly believed the awful things he said to me and would have reported me with the same level of assurance. They never expunge your name from the “possible child abuser” register and I think it is pretty important that we are measured in our reactions and don’t report a family at the hint of a suspicion things aren’t done our way in a situation we know little or nothing about. Because it can seriously be detrimental to the family. My point is that people need to really think about what they know as fact, think and assumptions being made before they make accusations which, if incorrect, could be massively counter productive.
I’m with you, Lita. My autistic daughter was a “runner” when she was a toddler/preschooler. Man, she was fast. I’ll never forget an afternoon in the grocery store when she got mad and took off through the front door. I dropped my basket on the ground and raced after her and grabbed her 15 feet into the parking lot, where she had run right in front of a car. She was kicking and screaming, and I had to carry her back inside (fireman’s carry, over my shoulder, otherwise I’d drop her) to get her 6 year old brother, who I had left in my dust in the produce section. I was so paranoid someone was writing down my license plate number to report me to children’s services for neglect. And while I am confident I did nothing wrong, once you’re reported it can really ruin your life.
The people who should report abuse should be the people who know the kids, know the parents – neighbors, teachers, friends, family members, etc – and have a good-faith belief in the abuse. Strangers at a store who catch 10 seconds of an interaction have no idea what’s going on.
@ Diva:
Her interview was very inspiring and helpful for those in similar situations.
Who are you to say what one should share?
Don’t mind Diva, folks. She often has snotty holier than thou judgmental and delusional bs to say about people, despite the sensitive nature of the situation. All in all she doesn’t seem to have much respect for anyone who isn’t her.
@Moops; more power to you. When it comes to difficulty situations like that you end up with ‘harm minimisation’ as your last resort, and it’s shameful that you ended up scared of being judged for doing a good thing. Good luck with everything.
Hello, all. My boyfriend, who is mixed race (caucasian/african) will not see this film with me because he says “it perpetrates the idea that all black men abuse the women in their lives”. As a (white, although that should not matter) WOMAN, I do not agree with him. I see this film as an example of a woman rising up aganst her abusers and realizing her full potential. I’m really irritated with my boyfriend over this. Any questions/comments? Thank you.