Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mo’Nique’s Net Worth?
Mo’Nique, the acclaimed American actress and comedienne, has built a substantial career spanning television, film, and stand-up comedy. As of 2025, Mo’Nique’s net worth is estimated to be $6 million. This figure reflects her earnings from various projects, including her roles in television series like “The Parkers,” her stand-up comedy specials, and her award-winning performance in the film “Precious.” However, it’s important to note that Mo’Nique’s financial journey has included some challenges, notably with the IRS, which she seems to have resolved through her career earnings, including a residency in Las Vegas.
Early Career and “The Parkers” Earnings
Mo’Nique’s career took off with her role as Nicole “Nikki” Parker on the UPN sitcom “The Parkers,” which aired for five seasons from 1999 to 2004. The show, a spin-off from “Moesha,” became a popular series, and Mo’Nique’s performance as the vivacious Nikki Parker solidified her status as a comedic talent. In the final season of “The Parkers,” Mo’Nique and her co-star Countess Vaughn each earned $55,000 per episode. With 22 episodes in that season, Mo’Nique’s total earnings for the season reached $1.21 million. While “The Parkers” originally aired on UPN, it found new life through syndication deals. Mo’Nique sued Paramount and CBS in April 2023 over allegedly unpaid royalties for “The Parkers,” arguing that the companies “artificially depressed” the show’s profitability to avoid paying royalties to her and the show’s writers. “The Parkers” produced 111 episodes during its five-season run. It has been claimed that the show generated $800 million in syndication deals between 2004 and 2009. It also generated millions more over the next decade, and even more when sold to Netflix in 2020.
Stand-up Comedy and Hosting Gigs
Mo’Nique’s career extends beyond acting. She began her comedy career after her brother dared her to perform at an open mic night. She gained recognition through appearances on “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam” in 1998 and “Thank God You’re Here” in 2007. She also hosted “Showtime at the Apollo” from 2000 to 2006. Additionally, Mo’Nique hosted the BET Awards in 2003, 2004, and 2007, further establishing her presence in the entertainment industry.
“Precious” and the Tyler Perry Dispute
Mo’Nique’s role in the 2009 film “Precious” earned her widespread critical acclaim, culminating in an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Despite the film’s success and the numerous accolades she received, Mo’Nique’s earnings for her role in “Precious” were relatively modest at $50,000. Furthermore, Mo’Nique has publicly discussed a conflict with the film’s producers, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, as well as the production company Lionsgate. She claims that Tyler Perry asked her to do free promotion for the movie, promising her that winning an Academy Award would lead to paychecks in the $6-8 million range. Mo’Nique reportedly declined to do the free promotional work, arguing that her $50,000 salary did not contractually obligate her to do press, particularly overseas. Following the release of “Precious,” Mo’Nique has claimed that Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey branded her as difficult to work with, costing her millions of dollars and derailing her career for a dozen years. Mo’Nique claimed that she was making between $2 and $3 million per year at the time she filmed “Precious.” She has also asserted that Tyler’s false rumors cost her the ability to continue earning her previous income levels for twelve years.
“The Mo’Nique Show”
From 2009 to 2011, Mo’Nique hosted her own late-night talk show on BET, titled “The Mo’Nique Show.” The show provided a platform for Mo’Nique to showcase her personality and interview guests from various backgrounds, further solidifying her presence in the entertainment industry.
IRS Issues
Mo’Nique faced financial challenges related to unpaid taxes in the past. In 2016, the IRS reportedly placed a lien on Mo’Nique for allegedly failing to pay $200,000 in taxes for 2013 and $188,000 for 2014, totaling $389,000. In 2017, she was reportedly subjected to another lien for $170,000, related to a 2015 bill. By September 2019, reports indicated that Mo’Nique’s tax debt, including interest and penalties, had increased to $620,000. She appears to have cleared all of her tax debt, likely thanks in no small part to her Las Vegas residency, which started in 2019.
Netflix Lawsuit
In late 2019, Mo’Nique filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging gender and racial discrimination. This followed Netflix offering her $500,000 for a 2018 comedy special. In addition to the low-ball offer, Netflix demanded to own 100% of the copyright and audio-only rights to the material. She revealed that Amy Schumer was offered $11 million upfront and eventually earned $13 million for equivalent Netflix comedy specials. After complaining about the pay discrepancy, Netflix allegedly retaliated by walking away from the negotiations. A federal judge eventually sided with Mo’Nique, agreeing that Netflix’s refusal to negotiate an opening offer was an “adverse employment action.” The matter was resolved “amicably” in mid-2022.
Real Estate
For several years, Mo’Nique rented a 7,292-square-foot home in Roswell, Georgia, for $22,000 per month. In 2011, she was sued by her landlord, who claimed she broke the rental agreement and allegedly owed $370,000. Mo’Nique countersued, stating that she wanted out of her lease because the home smelled like dog feces and urine and had an overflowing septic tank and a mold problem. The lawsuits were settled for an undisclosed sum in 2012. Mo’Nique is currently renting another mansion in the town of Braselton, Georgia.
Awards and Recognition
Mo’Nique’s talent and contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognized through numerous awards and nominations. In 2010, she won an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in “Precious.” Her performance also earned her more than 50 other awards, including a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, BAFTA Award, African-American Film Critics Association Award, BET Award, and two Gold Derby Awards. She has won two Black Reel Awards, Best Supporting Actress for “Precious” and “Television: Best Supporting Actress for “Good Fences,” and a Women’s Image Network Award for “Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance.” Mo’Nique has also received five NAACP Image Awards (one for “Precious” and four for “The Parkers”), and her performance in “Bessie” earned her nominations from the Primetime Emmys, Critics’ Choice Television Awards, Gold Derby Awards, Online Film & Television Association Awards, and Satellite Awards.
