Black Hollywood came out in droves Sunday night (Nov 1) to support the AFI Fest 2009 Screening of the new movie “Precious,” which stars newcomer Gabourey Sidibe and actress/comedienne turned late night talk show host Mo’Nique.

Some of the big names who walked down the red carpet of the big Hollywood event, held at were Oprah, Tyler Perry, Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Mary J. Blige, Will Smith and much much more.

Check out a ton of pics from the “Precious” screening after the break! And be on the look-out for the movie when it releases to theaters nationwide this Friday (Nov. 6).

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The New York Times has a preview on the upcoming movie “Precious” directed by Lee Daniels (producer of Oscar-winning film “Monster’s Ball”). The movie stars Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, and newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, pictured above on the cover of the Times. The article explores not only the story of Precious but also process that it took to make this film. From having studios reject the story to casting Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique as her “demon” mother. The article also goes into the inspiration behind the film. Below are some quotes that struck us and a link to the whole article. It is well worth the read!

As the script was being written, Daniels began to figure out the financing of the movie. “Getting Sapphire’s permission was only half the challenge,” Daniels explained. “ ‘Shadowboxer’ hadn’t done so well, so I found myself back at Square 1. It was very, very hard to get financing for ‘Precious.’ All the studios said no. They didn’t want to make a film about a 350-pound black girl who is abused. Everybody kept saying no. My whole life was no. It was just a bunch of nos.”

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TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins was recently on The Mo’Nique Show on BET where she revealed that she she and the other members of TLC held Arista and Clive Davis at gun point because of the shady dealing of the music industry. Their reasoning? TLC’s album CrazySexyCool made a whopping $75 million dollars and each member only received $50,000 a piece. Watch the interview below:

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There is still a month left before the anticipated movie “Precious” hits theaters on November 6th but there is already drama surrounding the film, or more-so, its actors. According to “sources,” actress Mo’Nique, who is a favorite for an Oscar nod for the “Best Actress” category might jeopardize her chance at winning the award. Lionsgate executives claim that Mo’Nique has “a bad attitude and a shameless demand for money” and that her actions might cost her her nomination.

The NYDN says the 41-year-old comedienne/actress turned talk show host didn’t show up to Saturday’s big debut at the New York Film Festival, and on top of that, she neglected her promotional duties at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada back in mid-September.

“That money didn’t even include hair and makeup costs. She also demanded that her glam squad fly first class,” sniped an incredulous industry source. “Apparently, she’s ignorant as to how the Hollywood system works.” According to our snitch, exasperated studio chiefs suggested that executive producer Oprah Winfrey get involved to deflate Mo’Nique’s substantial ego, but even O couldn’t stop the actress from seeing green.

“Mo’Nique said she signed on to do this film for a small amount of money. She said she didn’t care about ‘no Oscar’ – all that mattered was ‘those Benjamins!’ Because Oprah and Tyler Perry are backing the film, she feels as though there should be a budget to pay for her promotional duties,” the source explains.

“When people say, ‘You care more about money than winning an Oscar,’ well, what does an Oscar mean? An Oscar means more work when you win it, and that means more money!” retorts Mo’Nique in response to the allegations. “I couldn’t eat that Oscar. Everybody needs money, baby. That’s how we survive, right?”

We’re not sure who to side with on this one, but we don’t think an Oscar nod should be taken from someone because of their “bad attitude.” You win the award because of your talent and how well you portrayed your character in the film. Nothing should affect that. But if this is true, we suggest Mo takes a moment to chill out because Oscar nod or not, this is bad publicity.

Actress/comedienne Mo’Nique is premiering her new show, “The Mo’Nique Show” on BET next Monday night!

The one-hour show will feature A-list celebrity guest appearances and performances from the biggest names in music. She even has a resident DJ to keep the audience entertained and the viewers at home up late at night. Well, at least until 11 PM. The show promises to bridge the gap between the “old school” and the “new school” through skits and other segments, and shedding light on the positive contributions to our communities by today’s celebrities.

“I’m very excited to finally bring my signature voice and comedy to late night television,” said Mo’Nique, host of new BET late night show THE MO’NIQUE SHOW. “This show will definitely give BET viewers the late night show experience, but at the same time, offer something uniquely different to the late show circuit, and I can’t think of a better home to welcome cable’s late night female host but BET.”

The show premieres next Monday, October 5th at 11 PM, taking Wendy Williams’ old time slot. Which has a little bit of irony in itself, seeing that both of them recently left radio for TV. But anyway, continue reading for a
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Actress/comedienne Mo’Nique talks about her 40-pound weight loss (she went from 262 pounds to 220 pounds) and the added enjoyment it brings to her sex life in the latest issue of Life & Style magazine.

“The sex is better! I have so much more energy. I can move around better, and that’s what it’s all about. I want to lose more, so I’ll just keep eating better and exercising, and the weight will come off. It took time to put in on, and it will take time to take if off. It’s still okay to be big, but let’s be big and healthy. I had to lose some weight to get healthier because I want to be around for a while. I have twin sons who are 3 and a son who is 19, and I want the opportunity to meet their children.”

Be on the look-out for Mo when her late-night talk show premieres on BET on October 5th!

Mo’Nique and her husband Sidney Hicks are featured on the cover of the June 8th 2009 issue of JET Magazine. The issue talks about her recent weight loss, her personal & professional relationship with her husband, and how her upcoming late-night BET talk show, The Mo’Nique Show came about.

Actress and comedian Mo’Nique has taken her career to the next level, and it’s no secret that her husband, Sidney Hicks, is right by her side making things happen. In fact, he recently made one of her dreams come true by helping her negotiate a deal for her own late-night BET talk show, The Mo’Nique Show. “We’ve been working together now for four years,” said Hicks.

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Singers Monica and Maxwell stopped for a photo backstage during the BET Networks’ 2009 Upfront media presentation, where they announced 4 brand new shows in addition to a new entertainment and music channel called CENTRIC. The presentation, held at the Nokia Theatre in New York Thursday night, featured special appearances by Mary J. Blige, Mo’Nique, MC Lyte and more.

According to several announcements made at the event, Monica will be getting her own “docu-drama” (aka reality series) titled Monica: Still Standing and Mo’Nique has her own nightly talk/variety show. No word on when the new shows will be premiering yet, but continue reading for more photos from the media event.

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CLICK ABOVE FOR A LARGER PHOTO!

VH1 is on a damn roll! Yet ANOTHER Flavor of Love spin-off is hitting the tubes this spring! April 15th to be exact. Comedian/Actress Mo’Nique will be the “teacher” and will instruct these girls on how to be classy. All of Flav’s hoes in ONE show? Oh lawd, somebody get the taser! The last chick standing gets a whopping $50,000! Yeah, you read it right .. 50 Gs. C’mon VH1, I know you can do better than that!

The Charm School contestants, as pictured above are: (Top row, L-R) Like Dat (FOL 2), Rain (FOL 1), Buckeey (FOL 2), Saaphyri (FOL 2), Goldie (FOL 1), Buckwild (FOL 2), Hottie (FOL 1); (Bottom row, L-R) Toastee (FOL 2), Bootz (FOL 2), Krazy (FOL 2), Smiley (FOL1), Serious (FOL 1) and Pumkin (FOL 1).

I can’t wait to see these girls act like complete fools once again on television! Mo’Nique has her work cut out for her if she can turn these hoes into housewives! I don’t know about y’all but I definitely will be watching this. I can’t wait to hear Krazy’s beautiful voice… Check out a couple previews after the cut! CONTINUE READING