Mo’Nique’s brother admits he molested her, appears on Oprah
Mo'Nique (AP photo)
Oscar-winning actress Mo’Nique publicity stated she was molested by her brother when she was a child.
Her brother, Gerald Imes, stepped forward to admit he molested Mo’Nique. Imes appeared on the April 19 episode of the “The Oprah Winfrey” Show. Mo’Nique’s parents also were on the show.
Excerpts from the interview are posted below. Click here to read the full interview.
“I’m here today to first acknowledge what I’ve been in denial for for 37 years, and that is I did assault and inappropriately touch my sister in manners that were uncomfortable for her. And for that, I apologize and I’m humbly sorry that those actions had taken place.”
“Most of the time, the abuse that I did with my sister took place while she was asleep or the appearance that she was asleep.”
“I can only hope by coming forth today, since I couldn’t reach out to her, that … somewhere along the line with the apology and the truth of it finally coming out after 37 years, that hopefully somewhere, somehow … we can come back together as brother and sister and say: ‘You know what? This happened. I’m sorry that it happened. I’m sorry that it happened to you, and that I was the perpetrator, the one that did it to you. However, I understand your pain. I, too, was there. Now lets share this together and move on. Let’s help someone else.”
Click here to read the full interview.
Thankfully, Mo’Nique was able to overcome the sexual abuse, and she went on to become a successful television sitcom actress, stand-up comedian, talk show host and film actress.
Precious is big winner at Independent Spirit Awards
The film “Precious” dominated the Independent Spirit Awards last night (March 5). The awards show honors independent movies.
“Precious” won five awards including best director for Lee Daniels, best leading actress for Gabourey Sidibe and best supporting actress for Mo’Nique.
The non “Precious” winners included Jeff Bridges, Lone Scherfig, Sacha Gervasi and Woody Harrelson.
Several celebrities attended the ceremony including Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ben Stiller, Taraji P. Henson, Jodie Foster, Dave Grohl, Ethan Hawke, Matt Dillon and Laura Dern.
A photo gallery is posted below. Click on the Associated Press images to enlarge them.
Mo’Nique wins Golden Globe
AP photo
The Golden Globes aired Sunday night, and the big names in Hollywood were in attendance, including Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Taylor Lautner and hundreds more.
My favorite moment of the night was when Mo’Nique won the award for best supporting actress in a movie for her role in the film “Precious.”
Mo’Nique is an established comedian and talk show host who is known for being funny.
She took a big risk taking on such a dramatic character in the film. She portrayed a woman who abuses her daughter.
Her performance in the film was powerful. She did so well portraying that character, it makes you forget that Mo’Nique is an accomplished comedian.
Mo’Nique beat out actresses Penelope Cruz and Julianne Moore for the trophy. Her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes is posted in the clip below. Click here for a full recap of the Golden Globes.
More diversity in late-night comedy
Wendy Williams interviews NFL player Terrell Owens on her late-night talk show (AP Photo by Anders Krusber)
George Lopez during a fundraiser in Beverly Hills (AP Photo by Matt Sayles)
The television late-night comedy talk show lineup has been more diverse this fall. There have been minority hosts popping up all over the late-night talk show scene.
“The Mo’Nique Show” premiered this fall on the BET network and “The Wendy Williams Show” premiered on the Fox and BET networks.
Mo’Nique began her career as a stand-up comedian. She eventually became an actress and has a major role in the upcoming film “Precious,” which was produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey.
Mo’Nique’s late-night show caters to a hip hop audience, while Williams’ show has a broader appeal because her celebrity guests are from all walks of life.
Comedian Wanda Sykes’ new late-night talk show will premiere Nov. 7 on the Fox network, and George Lopez’s show “Lopez Tonight” will debut Nov. 9 on TBS.
This is the most diversity I’ve seen in late night comedy. Kudos to those networks for making an effort. However, I’m still waiting on NBC, ABC and CBS to diversify their late-night schedule.
Whether those shows listed above will see long term success is unknown. The last minority to have a successful late-night talk show was Arsenio Hall. His show ran from 1989 to 1994.
Comedian Mo’Nique says she was molested by her brother
In the October issue of Essence magazine, comedian and actress Mo’Nique reveals that she was sexually molested by her older brother when she was 7-years-old.
She said her brother would lure her in the bathroom using candy, and he molested her four times during a 4-year period.
The sad part is that she said her parents really didn’t do much when she told them what was going on.
In the article Mo’Nique said, “My father was very upset, but it never got mentioned again. I’ll never forget my mother saying, ‘If it’s true, it will surface again,’ and I remember thinking, ‘Why would I lie? Why is there even an if in this?’ I was angry with them for so long, because I felt as if they should have seen what was happening.”
Mo’Nique’s brother eventually served 15 years in prison for molesting another girl.
She said her brother so far has showed no remorsed. She said, “He still acts like he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. So screw hurting your feelings. You need to get your feelings hurt, and you need to get some help.”
I know this was a difficult subject for Mo’Nique to come forward and talk about, and she should be commended for coming forward and telling her story to let other victims know that they are not alone.
Hopefully, her brother will get some help. Either he seeks lifelong treatment, or he should be locked up for the rest of his life.
Mo’Nique is best known for “It’s Showtime at the Apollo,” “The Parkers” “Phat Girlz” and most recently “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” starring Martin Lawrence.
Tim Henley
