Netflix sued by Oscar-winner Mo’Nique over ‘low-ball’ offer

FILE – In this Nov. 3, 2016 file photo, actress-comedian Mo’Nique arrives at the premiere of “Almost Christmas” in Los Angeles. Mo’Nique is suing Netflix for what she is calling race and sex discrimination in its offer for a proposed comedy special.
In the suit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the comedian and Oscar-winning actress says Netflix offered her $500,000 for a comedy special and refused to negotiate further. The suit says that stands in contrast to deals reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars for comedy specials from Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, Dave Chapelle and Ricky Gervais.(Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)
INTERNATIONAL – Oscar-winning actress Mo’Nique sued Netflix Inc., accusing the streaming giant of racial and gender discrimination by making her a lowball offer for a one-hour, standup show and refusing to negotiate a fair deal.
Mo’nique, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in the 2009 movie “Precious,” says Netflix offered her $500,000 for a comedy special in 2017, which she claims is a fraction of the $20 million per show it pays male comedians, including Ricky Gervais and Chris Rock, or white, female comedians, such as Ellen DeGeneres.
“While the sky seems to be the limit when it comes to Netflix’s content budget, estimated at $19 billion in 2019, there apparently is a ceiling when it comes to Netflix’s willingness to pay talent of certain demographics, namely, black women,” she said in her lawsuit.

Source: iol.co.za