Mo’Nique is calling for a Netflix boycott, accusing the streaming service of both “gender bias and color bias.”
In a clip posted to Instagram, Mo’Nique claims that Netflix offered her $500,000 for the rights to her next stand-up special.
The comedian believes that this number is awfully low, considering what male comedians Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock earned for their specials. Both of them were reportedly paid $20 million for the rights to their shows.
Comedian Amy Schumer called out Netflix on charges of sexism last year, when she learned that she had been paid less than Chappelle and Rock for her work. She was initially paid $11 million for her special.
After learning of the discrepancy between her wages and those of her male colleagues, Schumer successfully renegotiated her deal, and received a paycheck closer to those of Chappelle and Rock.
Mo’Nique said she mentioned to the streaming giant that she has accolades and experience Schumer lacks, including a Grammy nomination, a storied stand-up career and an Oscar.
The comedian said Netflix executives told her, “We don’t go off of resumes,” arguing that they pay their stars based on how many eyeballs they can bring. Mo’Nique said the network then proceeded to note Schumer had sold out Madison Square Garden and had a hit with the film Trainwreck.
Mo’Nique asked, “Is that not Amy Schumer’s resume?”
Blavity reached out to Netflix for a statement, and was told, "Netflix does not comment on contract negotiations."
