In the wake of Taraji P. Henson's candid revelations about the hardships faced by her and fellow Black female co-stars during the filming of "The Color Purple," Mo’Nique adds her voice to the conversation. Henson's concerns ranged from inadequate catering to substandard trailers, and the requirement for talent to use their own rental vehicles for commuting, rather than being provided transportation.
While Oprah Winfrey, the producer of the film, responded to Henson's concerns during a Golden Globes interview, Mo’Nique offered a different perspective. Mo’Nique asserted that if the producer were fulfilling her responsibilities, the actors should not have faced these on-set challenges. She criticized the notion of championing for Black women while, in reality, they faced the same treatment as always.
Mo’Nique, who has faced headlines implying her outspokenness led to being "blackballed" in Hollywood, pointed out the dissonance between the acknowledgment of being hand-picked for the movie and the lack of care provided to the actresses. Reports have suggested that industry figures like Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Lee Daniels played a role in limiting Mo’Nique's opportunities.
The dialogue around on-set challenges, unequal treatment, and the impact of speaking out continues, highlighting the complexities within the entertainment industry, especially for Black women.
