There are actors like James Franco who doesn't need the street cred and isn't a money whore who is willing to work it on daytime television just because he's curious and available (more on this tomorrow) and then there's Mo'Nique who delivers an outstanding, breathtaking performance in the sure to be nominated Oprah-backed Precious and she's refusing to promote it.

Mo'Nique did not show at TIFF and she reportedly now refuses to attend the New York Film Festival premiere for the film. The official excuse is that she is launching her new talk show and is too busy prepping. But her publicist has just quit because she's been too difficult, and there's talk that she's actually asking to be compensated financially for press duties.

Paid to campaign for an Oscar???

More Here:
http://www.laineygossip.com/Mo...aspx?CatID=0&CelID=0

Anyone know what is going on with her?

She was likely paid next to nothing for the film, and now is asked to make herself available for these events, plus lots more to come.

Maybe winning the Oscar isn't that important to her; more power to her if that's the case.

In the meantime, her winning or not should depend on the quality of her performance, not how hard she campaigns.

(Having said that, if she skips any contact with the HFPA and doesn't go to the GGs, I will actively root for her to win).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,

You're a rascal Sean!

If I were in Mo'Nique's position being an oscar frontrunner, I'd be out there shaking my thing every chance I got.

I did think it was quite interesting seeing it at TIFF, because the whole intro was fascinating, like annointing a new queen, with one superstar after another taking her (or his) bow on stage. There was Oprah (and Gale even), Tyler Perry, virtually all the main stars incl Gabby, Paula, etc. Even Mariah sashayed on stage in the tightest dress known to women kind with steel reinforcements to force those perky puppies sky high to erase any concern that Mariah actually looks like her on screen character. There was Mary J. Blige. The list goes on and on. But Mo'Nique was quite conspicuous in her absence cause everyone else was at the party! The director commented on Mo'Nique's absence by saying she was probably at home with her child... so in other words, it wasn't like she was in a play or shooting something where contractually she had to be (not to suggest spending quality time with your child isn't important). However, roles like this come around, oh just about never, and since Mo'Nique hits it out of the park and is so good and integral to the power of the film you'd think she'd be thumping this thing for all it's worth.

I wonder if with her launching her new talk show it's about keeping her distance from Oprah?

Again, I sort of respect her for this.

Or - as often happens - Ophrah's people want to stomp out Mo'Nique's show before it gets started, mainly pressuring guests not to appear on it. Mo'Nique's producers know this, and are using her appearances as negotiation point in this battle.

I wouldn't judge her before knowing more details that come from an unreliable gossip blog.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,

I'm a Lainey fan, but it's a stretch to say she's "refusing" to do press. Doing press and campaigning are two different things; yeah, we're splitting hairs. But one is letting the public know about your film and the other is smooching industry butt.

My other thought about this was, "Dang, the frontrunner-backlash began early this year."

A major studio's contract will often require a star to make appearances at film festivals (although these are usually combined with details on first-class travel arrangements) as part of the total deal, including mult-million salaries, or if lower, possible back-end profit participation.

I have no idea what Mo'Nique's deal was. But if she was paid a low salary ($100,000?), no profit participation, and then not being offered first-class travel (again I have no idea if any of this is true), balking at going to every film fest might make sense.

Also - and this is important - she wants PR for her show. It is possible that she prefers the bulk of her Precious publicity to come when the TV show's publicity is needed most.

Or her people might have figured out that Precious/Mo'Nique fatique could set in, and she wants to wait until she is actually nominated to do her publciity.

And as always - this story could have been planted by acompany competing against her (hello, Harvey...)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: seanflynn,

I don't think any of this would hurt her chances for a nomination, but if she doesn't actively campaign once she's nominated I'd say it could POSSIBLY hurt her chances of winning.

But right now it looks like a few certain people just really don't want to see her win, and they are twisting this out of proportion a bit.

quote:

Originally posted by puxzkkx:
I don't think any of this would hurt her chances for a nomination, but if she doesn't actively campaign once she's nominated I'd say it could POSSIBLY hurt her chances of winning.

Agreed, a nomination seems certain...a win is up in the air if she isn't putting effort into it. I know it sucks that campaigning is so necessary now, but it is what it is. Maybe Mariah will vault ahead of Monique in the end.

The thing I thought was interesting about Mo'Nique not being there at TIFF when everyone else was it almost gave her a Garbo-esque feel, like her work could stand on it's own without her being there. Also, I'm gathering her onscreen persona in Precious is so different than her other comedian persona, that maybe she didn't want to muddy the water. Also, she's such a harridian in the film, perhaps she's terrified of being assaulted by fans of Precious.

I'm not sure that campaigning five months before the Oscars when you're a sure nominee is that important, to be honest.

Save it for when it matters.

quote:

Originally posted by ETHELCHARLES:
The thing I thought was interesting about Mo'Nique not being there at TIFF when everyone else was it almost gave her a Garbo-esque feel, like her work could stand on it's own without her being there.

I actually just had a conversation with someone as to whether that would even be possible today, the Garbo route...for someone to completely ignore the outside process of premiers and festivals, etc.., and just act.

Reading the Lainey blog, it seems like typical sour-grapes tabloid nastiness, reminiscent of Tom's attacks on Melissa Leo last year. I just don't think many people like to see small films like this succeed.

I don't have an opinion on Precious yet - haven't seen it - but this seems to be a pattern ESPECIALLY amongst more "celebrity-focused" movie blogs.

The story seems to have originated with Roger Friedman at his "Showbiz 411" column on the Hollywood Reporter website (but I could be wrong about that).

Both Lainey and Crazy Days & Nights link back to him; the latter went off on a 500-word "who do you think you are?" rant, to boot.

If it's a planted story, whomever spun Friedman earned their paycheck this month.

Given that Mo'Nique will very shortly have a talk show up on the airwaves, it's a bit of a stretch to say she is shirking the public eye.

I'm sure once her talk show is up and running, she will have cast members from 'Precious' on her show and she can toot her own horn then.

I do have to wonder, though, if having a talk show will make Oscar voters less inclined to vote for her (i.e., they would want to hold off for a "serious" actress, not a comedienne with a talk show gig).

quote:

Originally posted by puxzkkx:
Reading the Lainey blog, it seems like typical sour-grapes tabloid nastiness, reminiscent of Tom's attacks on Melissa Leo last year. I just don't think many people like to see small films like this succeed.

I don't have an opinion on Precious yet - haven't seen it - but this seems to be a pattern ESPECIALLY amongst more "celebrity-focused" movie blogs.

Lainey's been pimping the movie pretty hard, so I don't think that's it. She just calls out bad behavior.

That's the best news I've heard all day. I REALLY don't like her and it seems in the early going that she's nearly a lock, which makes me vomitty. I don't care how great she is, I don't want to see her win. I know how evil that is but I like most famous people, and even if I'm not a fan of every actor if they do a great job I'll admit it.

I have a bias against Matt Damon but other than him I can't think of someone else of Oscar quality who I dislike. But since he's a good dramatic actor, if he wins I'll be fine with it. But something about her just makes me retch. If she does start getting nommed, I can see using her time on all the awards shows as a potty break.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Aura,

quote:

Originally posted by ETHELCHARLES:
The thing I thought was interesting about Mo'Nique not being there at TIFF when everyone else was it almost gave her a Garbo-esque feel,

You just compared her to Greta Garb...

Yeah, since she'll have her own talk show soon, I'm sure she'll pimp the movie a ton, have the cast on, etc. She's a smart woman, she knows what she's doing.

Really, guys? Are we really taking the word of some trashy celebrity gossip blog?

I feel like Mo'Nique's talk show premieres this Monday. She's probably too busy to do press for the film right now. Plus, the Oscars are awhile away so let's give it time.

I think it's unfortunate that actors have to campaign to win the Oscar. The work should stand on its own.

quote:

Originally posted by Aura:

quote:

Originally posted by ETHELCHARLES:
The thing I thought was interesting about Mo'Nique not being there at TIFF when everyone else was it almost gave her a Garbo-esque feel,

You just compared her to Greta Garb...

There ya go Aura - some gravol for your problems.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ETHELCHARLES,