Photo by Paras Griffin and Paul Archuleta/Getty
The highly anticipated episode of ‘Club Shay Shay‘ featuring Mo’Nique has finally arrived, and it did not disappoint, oh-kay!
The interview was released on Wednesday (February 7). And part of their three-hour conversation saw the comedian touch on Taraji P. Henson‘s recent comments about pay disparity in Hollywood.
As you’ll probably recall, Henson was on Gayle King’s SiriusXM radio show in December, where she broke down in tears, admitting she had contemplated quitting acting over this exact issue.
Given that Mo’Nique had previously spoken out about pay disparity herself, such as the time she sued Netflix for discrimination, it was only right for Sharpe to get her thoughts on the situation.
Sharing her thoughts on Henson’s comments, Mo’Nique described it as painful to watch, but understood her frustration.
She could identify with what Henson experienced in the industry, as she had felt the same way herself.
The ‘Precious’ actress recounted how the pair had previously spoken about the issue over a decade ago.
“You know, you gotta keep on getting it until your turn comes.” the ‘Empire’ star said at the time.
“Taraji, most of us die before our turn comes. We gotta ask for it right now. Now, I understand that because there was a time I felt the same way because that’s what I was told.”
When Shannon asked the Maryland native why she didn’t receive the same attention when she spoke out about pay disparity in the past, she believed it was due to her being the “wrong messenger.”
She elaborated that people who publicly touch on these matters are usually the ones told they should be grateful they were even “invited to the party.”
But Mo’Nique’s case was different from Henson’s since she was willing to actually name the people who she felt had done her wrong.
“‘You’re saying Oprah’s name out loud. You’re saying [Tyler Perry’s] name out loud. You’re saying [Lee Daniels‘] name out loud. You’re saying Lionsgate out loud. That’s not what we do… How dare you say our heroes’ names,” she continued. “These are our heroes. How could you say their names out loud?’”
Mo’Nique also emphasized how Black women are often marginalized by society. She explained that certain people struggle to see a Black woman showing her resilience and strength to stand up for what she believes. “You’re a big, fat Black woman. How dare you be the one,” she added in response to why she didn’t get the same attention Henson did.
Not to mention, that the fear of being labeled as difficult or ungrateful for speaking up has only extended the problem of pay disparity. Catch the full interview on Sharpe’s ‘Club Shay Shay‘ YouTube channel.
