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When you star in a popular movie, it's understood that part of the job is that you'll make the rounds to all the press outlets so that the movie -- and you -- will get good publicity. No big deal, right? Well, it is for actress-comedian-TV host, Mo'Nique.
Hollywood VIPs are in a bit of a tizzy over recent comments by Mo'Nique, who is widely believed to be an Oscar shoo-in for her performance in Precious, that indicate she's not so thrilled with that part of the job. Partly because when you're an Oscar contender, the pressure to "campaign" for the golden award is high, and more to the point: it doesn't have a paycheck attached to it.
The comments come as part of an interview she conducted on BET's The Mo'Nique Show with previous Oscar nominees Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.
“What are you campaigning for, though?” Mo’Nique asks Henson, who was nominated for her role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Howard, who was up for his Hustle and Flow performance.
Terrence defends the press-and-Academy-wooing practice, saying: “You have to prove your artistic nature to everyone that’s around you in order for them to be your supporters. Because your fans here aren’t necessarily the members of the Academy. It’s reaching that whole other group of people."
Tarji tells the actor-comedian that it's important to get the word out to people who might not be "aware of who Mo’Nique is," people who "haven’t followed you throughout your career."
"I guess my feelings are just different on all this," Mo'Nique countered. "President Obama had to campaign because he had something to prove, that he can do it. Well, the performance is on the screen, so at what point am I still trying to prove something?"
Eventually she gets to the point of return-on-investment for the Oscar press tours. “Now let me ask y’all this, because I know y’all are gonna school me correctly: What does it mean financially?”
Plus: What's Next for Precious Star Gabourey Sidibe?
Do you think actors and actresses are obligated to promote themselves if they want their work to be recognized? Chime in below!
