Mo’Nique, the Oscar-winning comedian, actress, and television host, is suing CBS and Paramount over unpaid royalties for her role in the popular sitcom, “The Parkers.” Mo’Nique, whose real name is Monique Hicks, played the lead character in the show, which ran for five seasons on UPN from 1999 to 2004.
According to the lawsuit filed on April 1st, 2023, Mo’Nique claims that CBS and Paramount have failed to pay her and her husband, Sidney Hicks, the full amount of royalties owed for the show’s reruns. The suit alleges that the companies have engaged in unfair business practices and breached their contract with Mo’Nique and Hicks by failing to pay them the agreed-upon royalties.
In the lawsuit, Mo’Nique and Hicks claim that they are entitled to a percentage of the revenue generated from the show’s reruns, as well as other forms of distribution, such as streaming and DVD sales. The suit alleges that the companies have knowingly and intentionally failed to pay the full amount owed, and have instead engaged in “deceptive accounting practices” to avoid paying Mo’Nique and Hicks what they are owed.
Mo’Nique has been vocal in the past about the unfair treatment of Black women in Hollywood, and has spoken out against pay disparities and discrimination in the industry. In 2018, she made headlines when she called for a boycott of Netflix after the streaming giant offered her a significantly lower salary than her male and white counterparts for a comedy special. Mo’Nique sued Netflix for gender and race discrimination, but the case was dismissed last year.
The lawsuit against CBS and Paramount is just the latest in a string of legal battles over unpaid royalties in the entertainment industry. In recent years, artists and performers have become increasingly vocal about the need for fair compensation and transparency in the industry, particularly in the age of streaming and digital distribution.
Mo’Nique and Hicks are seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit, as well as a full accounting of the revenue generated from “The Parkers” reruns and other forms of distribution. The lawsuit is expected to be closely watched by industry insiders and could have significant implications for the way royalties are calculated and paid out in the future.
In conclusion, Mo’Nique’s lawsuit against CBS and Paramount over unpaid royalties for her role in “The Parkers” is an important step towards ensuring that artists and performers are fairly compensated for their work. The lawsuit highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the entertainment industry, particularly in the age of streaming and digital distribution, and could have significant implications for the way royalties are calculated and paid out in the future.
