Photo — Mo'Nique: 82nd_Academy_Awards,_Monique_and_Sidney_Hicks_-_army_mil-66452-2010-03-09-180351.jpg (Public domain) · Lee Daniels: Own work (CC BY 3.0)
The Short Version
Following their critically acclaimed collaboration on the 2009 film Precious, director Lee Daniels and Oscar-winning actress Mo'Nique entered a 13-year fallout over awards campaign promotional obligations. Mo'Nique publicly alleged that Daniels had blackballed her in Hollywood, while Daniels asserted that her promotional demands and conduct damaged her reputation. The feud concluded in April 2022 when Daniels publicly apologized to Mo'Nique on stage, leading to a professional reunion on the Netflix horror film The Deliverance.
Latest Development
Reunion Premieres with 'The Deliverance'
Mo'Nique and Lee Daniels appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of The Deliverance, speaking publicly about rebuilding their friendship and working together on set again.
August 28, 2024 · Verified event
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
August 28, 2024
Reunion Premieres with 'The Deliverance'
Verified eventMo'Nique and Lee Daniels appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of The Deliverance, speaking publicly about rebuilding their friendship and working together on set again.
Source ↗April 1, 2022
Lee Daniels Delivers Public Apology Onstage
Public statementLee Daniels joined Mo'Nique onstage during her comedy show in Staten Island, issuing a public apology for hurting her and announcing their intention to work together on a new Netflix film.
Source ↗July 2018
Lee Daniels Denies Blackballing Mo'Nique
DenialLee Daniels denied blackballing Mo'Nique, stating in interviews that 'no one blackballed her' and alleging instead that 'Mo'Nique blackballed her' through her actions.
Source ↗February 2015
Mo'Nique Alleges Lee Daniels Told Her She Was Blackballed
AllegationMo'Nique revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that Lee Daniels called her to state she had been 'blackballed' in Hollywood for refusing to 'play the game'.
Source ↗March 7, 2010
Mo'Nique Wins Oscar and Omits Lee Daniels in Speech
Verified eventMo'Nique won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Precious. In her acceptance speech, she thanked the Academy, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry, but did not mention Lee Daniels, which reportedly upset him.
Source ↗2009
Disagreement Over Award Campaigning Begins
Verified eventFollowing the release of Precious, Mo'Nique declined to travel internationally to promote the movie during awards season because Lionsgate would not compensate her, creating friction with director Lee Daniels and executive producers.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Resolved. The feud is officially resolved. In April 2022, Lee Daniels issued a public apology to Mo'Nique during her comedy show in Staten Island. The two repaired their personal friendship and collaborated on the 2024 Netflix film The Deliverance, attending its premiere together in August 2024.
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Sources
- 1.SourceReunion Premieres with 'The Deliverance' · Aug 28, 2024
- 2.SourceLee Daniels Delivers Public Apology Onstage · Apr 1, 2022
- 3.SourceLee Daniels Denies Blackballing Mo'Nique ·
- 4.SourceMo'Nique Alleges Lee Daniels Told Her She Was Blackballed ·
- 5.SourceMo'Nique Wins Oscar and Omits Lee Daniels in Speech · Mar 7, 2010
- 6.SourceDisagreement Over Award Campaigning Begins ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.