The discrimination lawsuit between legendary comedian and actress Mo’Nique and streaming service Netflix has come to an end. After a five-year legal battle, the two reached a settlement on Thursday but the settlement amount has not been disclosed, Madamenoire reported.
Mo’Nique filed the lawsuit in 2017, accusing the streaming service giant of discrimination against Black female comedians after Netflix offered her a comedy special deal different from what other comedians like Amy Schumer and Dave Chappelle would receive. The offer amount was $500,000 for a one-hour show. Entailed in the deal was that Netflix would have total control over The Parkers actress’ comedy special, which included copyright ownership and the entire audio-only rights.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the suit read that Mo’Nique “engaged in protected conduct by protesting the discriminatory offer,” causing Netflix to refrain from any further negotiations.
In regards to why she didn’t accept, she said, “I couldn’t accept that low offer because if I did…I couldn’t sleep at night. If I accepted $500,000, what does Tiffany Haddish have coming? If I accepted that, what does the Black female comedian have coming? Because they’ll say is, ‘Mo’Nique accepted this and she’s got that.’ So what do they have coming?”
In an Instagram video, Mo’Nique called for her fans to boycott Netflix.
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Netflix offered Shuumer an $11 million deal for her 2017 stand-up comedy special The Leather Special and $60 million for Chapelle. However, proving Mo’Nique’s point, Wanda Sykes took to Twitter to attest to Mo’Nique’s claims.
“@moworldwide, thank you for speaking out,” Sykes said. “@netflix offered me less than half of your $500k. I was offended but found another home.”
.@moworldwide, thank you for speaking out. @netflix offered me less than half of your $500k. I was offended but found another home. #EPIX
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) January 21, 2018
