Some people just can’t get out of their own way. Watching Mo’Nique’s interview on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, I was reminded of that.
The Oscar-winning actress and comedienne, known these days for her mostly one-sided feuds with Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, sat down for an interview with Shannon Sharpe on his Club Shay Shay podcast.
If viewers tuned in hoping to witness a more mature and healed Mo’Nique who had moved past her perpetual industry beefs, they were mistaken.
Instead, Mo’Nique proved that she is still angry, toxic and bitter as ever.
The “Precious” star launched into a scathing rebuke of several A-list stars, many of whom have permanently washed their hands of her, and for good reason.
Her issues with many of these celebrities are well-documented and I don’t feel the need to rehash it because it’s redundant at this point.
Needless to say, she is still out here demanding apologies from people she has derided publicly.
Mo’Nique Goes After Kevin Hart
During Mo’Nique’s appearance, she rehashed stale grievances with Oprah, Tyler and DL Hughley.
She even lashed out at comedian, Kevin Hart, whom she admitted once wrote her a cheque to help her family during a difficult financial time.
Mo’Nique claims she later paid Hart back with interest.
Following a guest appearance on Hart’s podcast, Mo’Nique said he offered to partner with her on any project she wanted to do.
The comedienne used that as leverage to move the needle with another company only to later discover that Hart’s manager had said he (Hart) didn’t want “anything to do with” her.
Mo’Nique said when she confronted Hart, he told her it was a “miscommunication” and that he would sort it out.
She never heard from him again.
If what she says is correct, Hart was wrong for misleading her.
But, given that he had helped her and her family when they were “up against the wall” she should have left that detail out if only as a professional courtesy.
This is the issue I have with Mo’Nique. She just doesn’t know when to be quiet.
Perhaps someone warned Hart that pairing with Mo’Nique would have been a bad business move. As far as I’m concerned, she is damaged goods and brings too much drama.
Mo’Nique’s Interview Proves She’ll Never Change
I watched Mo’Nique’s interview and felt a huge wave of vicarious embarrassment for her.
Here is a woman who was, at one point, riding the wave of winning a Golden Globe and Oscar back-to-back. Need I remind you that these are awards that have escaped many black entertainers for years.
There were so many people rooting for her, myself included. But, she just couldn’t control her temper.
I have said repeatedly that I support Mo’Nique’s demands for fair pay.
I supported her decision to not promote her film, “Precious” without being compensated.
Even Lee Daniels, who directed the film, admitted that Mo’Nique fulfilled all of her contractual obligations, so she wasn’t wrong for not wanting to promote the film for free.
What I never could get on board with, however, is Mo’Nique’s methods.
Her mouth has always been a big problem. In life, it’s not always what you say, it’s how you say it.
Mo’Nique has proven that she is incapable of expressing herself and airing her grievances without getting nasty and gutter.
Somewhere in the crevices of her brain, she thinks it’s ok to verbally annihilate her peers and soften the blow by referring to them as ‘sister’ or ‘brother.’
Those terms of endearments mean absolutely nothing when they are stewed in vitriol.
I turned the TV off in the middle of the interview. Not only was Mo’Nique not funny, she wasn’t even interesting. If I wanted to hear someone complain all day, I would call a relative.
Shannon Sharpe Has To Be Careful
Ever since Sharpe’s no-holds-barred interview with comedian Katt Williams – which has since racked up nearly 60 million views on YouTube – celebrities have been clamouring for a seat on his leather couch.
During the interview, Williams accurately predicted that the show would become a place where truth would be told.
Sadly, since then, several guests have used Sharpe’s platform to bash other artists.
Prior to Williams’ interview, Club Shay Shay, was considered a safe space for entertainers, who could share their personal stories, and talk about life in show business without judgment.
Today, the podcast has become a de facto therapy session for disgruntled comedians.
Sharpe has to be careful. He has to decide what he wants his podcast to become. If he wants to be the male Wendy Williams, then, by all means, continue.
But, if he wants to court serious entertainers who aren’t interested in toxicity and drama, he has to position his podcast differently.
Given the millions of views and subscribers he racked up following Williams’ interview, I certainly understand the pressure to continue producing exciting content.
It’s a high Sharpe and his team will forever chase. But, at what expense?
This Interview May Come Back To Bite Shannon Sharpe
Let it be known that I am a huge fan of Sharpe. He seems good-natured and kind-hearted and he is learning his way around the podcast world.
He wants his platform to grow and he doesn’t seem like he wants to offend anyone.
But, the wrong people will take his kindness for weakness, and he has to be careful.
Mo’Nique is nobody’s friend, and Sharpe will soon see that.
She has shown her hands many times. She is a performer, an Oscar-winner at that. She knows how to cozy up to anyone who can be of use to her in the moment.
The minute they try to disassociate from her, she unleashes her verbal venom.
For Sharpe’s sake, I hope he didn’t say anything during the interview breaks that could potentially come back to haunt him.
Because as the world has seen, haunting is Mo’Nique’s specialty.
