Mo’Nique on Emmy Nomination for ‘Bessie,’ Lee Daniels’ ‘Empire’ Snub: ‘What You Put Out Is What You Get Back’
During TheWrap’s interview, actress dismisses reports the industry blackballed her: ”When people were saying those things, I understood it, but I knew it wasn’t true“
The saga between Mo’Nique and Lee Daniels took an unexpected twist on Thursday when the Emmy nominations were announced.
Mo’Nique was acknowledged for her performance in HBO’s “Bessie,” while producer Daniels’ Fox phenomenon “Empire” was shut out of the Best Drama Series category.
Lo and behold Mo’Nique rates for her turn in the biopic co-starring Queen Latifah, while the omission of “Empire” shocked the industry and social media. What does she make of that business?
“The truth never needs defending. We’re big believers in the law of nature, that what you put out is what you get back,” Mo’Nique told TheWrap about her detractors. “When people were saying those things, I understood it, but I knew it wasn’t true.”
She also had high praise for “Empire,” despite its snub and any lingering issues with Daniels.
“In reference to ‘Empire,’ I believe that it’s one of the most amazing shows in television history. It’s breaking all kinds of records. When it comes to that show, I stand up and applaud it. I applaud Lee Daniels and his vision. Everything that’s happening to that brother right now, he deserves it,” she said.
Mo’Nique spent her morning in dance class, and it wasn’t until halfway through breakfast with husband Sidney Hicks that she learned of her Emmy honor: “He said, ‘Mama, you just got nominated for an Emmy.'”
Portraying Ma Rainey in the film about jazz legend Bessie Hicks, Mo’Nique struggled to find information about her character — known colloquially as “The Mother of Blues” and one of the first artists to ever record in the genre.
“There’s so little information on Ma Rainey in any history books,” Mo’Nique said. “But what [writer/director] Dee Rees put on paper — you felt like you were there with those women. She made it so easy. Every time Dee said ‘action,’ I would ask Ma Rainey to give me the words.”
While she’s a natural as an actress, host and stand-up comedian, TheWrap asked if Mo’Nique had any trepidation about playing a singer.
“Let me tell you something baby, I’ve been singing my entire life. It’s other people that have a problem with it,” she said. “I’m surprised I don’t have a Grammy yet.”
Mo’Nique won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2010 for “Precious,” directed by Daniels, and has lessons from the experience she’ll take with her into Emmy voting season.
“The biggest appreciation comes for me when you can bring someone to life, that’s the biggest reward. When 100 years from now, my great-great-grand-children will be watching ‘Bessie,’ they’ll learn about Ma Rainey. They won’t learn about a trophy.”
Emmy 2015: The Nominees From 'Game of Thrones' to 'House of Cards' (Photos)
The 2015 nominees were announced Thursday, July 16. The 67th Annual Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Fox on September 20 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.
Michael Kelly, "House of Cards"; Taraji P. Henson, "Empire"; Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent"
Netflix; Fox; Amazon
Drama Series
“Better Call Saul” “Downton Abbey” “Game of Thrones” “Homeland” “House of Cards” “Mad Men” (pictured) “Orange Is the New Black”
AMC
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards” Jeff Daniels, “Newsroom” (pictured) Kyle Chandler, “Bloodline” Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul” Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”
HBO
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis, “How to Get Away With Murder” Claire Danes, “Homeland” Taraji P. Henson, “Empire” Tatania Maslany, “Orphan Black” (pictured) Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men” Robin Wright, “House of Cards”
BBC America
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks, “Better Call Saul” Ben Mendelsohn, “Bloodline” Jim Carter, “Downton Abbey” Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones” Alan Cumming, “The Good Wife” Michael Kelly, “House of Cards” (pictured)
Netflix
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey” Lena Headey, “Game of Thrones” Emilia Clarke, “Game of Thrones” (pictured) Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife” Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men” Uzo Aduba, “Orange Is the New Black”
Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent" (pictured) Louis C.K., "Louie" Anthony Anderson, "black-ish" William H. Macy, "Shameless" Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes" Don Cheadle, "House of Lies" Will Forte, "Last Man on Earth"
Amazon
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep" Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation" Lily Tomlin, "Grace and Frankie" Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie" Amy Schumer, "Inside Amy Schumer" (pictured) Lisa Kudrow, "Comeback"
Comedy Central
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (pictured) Adam Driver, “Girls” Keegan-Michael Key, “Key & Peele” Ty Burrell, “Modern Family” Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” Tony Hale, “Veep"
Fox
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory” Niecy Nash, “Getting On” (pictured) Julie Bowen, “Modern Family” Allison Janney, “Mom” Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live” Gaby Hoffmann, “Transparent” Jane Krakowski, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” Anna Chlumsky, “Veep"