Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mo’Nique Angela Hicks Net Worth’ Net Worth?
Mo’Nique Angela Hicks, known professionally as Mo’Nique, has an estimated net worth of $6 million. This valuation reflects her successful career as an actress and comedienne, accumulated through various ventures in television, film, stand-up comedy, and other endeavors.
Early Career and “The Parkers” Salary Details
Mo’Nique’s rise to prominence began with her role as Nicole “Nikki” Parker on the UPN sitcom “The Parkers” (1999–2004). The series, a spin-off from “Moesha,” provided her with a significant platform. 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 amounted to $1.21 million. This figure only represents her compensation for the final season and doesn’t include her earnings from the previous four seasons.
Beyond her per-episode salary on “The Parkers,” Mo’Nique has claimed that the show generated substantial revenue through syndication deals. She stated that “The Parkers” generated $800 million in syndication deals between 2004 and 2009. Furthermore, she estimates the show has generated $2 billion in revenue since it went off the air. Despite these substantial earnings, Mo’Nique alleges that neither she nor her co-star, Countess Vaughn, have received royalties from these syndication deals, leading to her lawsuit against Paramount and CBS in April 2023.
Film Career, “Precious” Salary, and Controversy
Mo’Nique’s film career includes roles in movies like “Phat Girlz” (2006), “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” (2008), and “Precious” (2009). Her performance in “Precious” earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, along with numerous other accolades.
Despite the critical acclaim and awards, Mo’Nique earned only $50,000 for her role in “Precious.” This relatively low salary became a point of contention due to her claims about promises made by the film’s producers, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, and the production company, Lionsgate. Mo’Nique alleges that Tyler Perry asked her to promote the movie for free, with the understanding that her next paycheck would be in the range of $6-8 million if she won an Academy Award. She claims she declined to do free promotional work, stating that her $50,000 salary didn’t contractually obligate her to do any press, especially overseas.
Mo’Nique further alleges that after she declined to do free promotion, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey branded her as difficult to work with, which she believes negatively impacted her career and resulted in a loss of millions of dollars. She claimed that at the time she filmed “Precious,” she was earning between $2 and $3 million per year, and that the actions following “Precious” cost her about a dozen years of income at her previous levels, totaling a loss of $20-30 million.
Other Ventures and Income Streams
Mo’Nique has hosted several shows, including “Showtime at the Apollo” (2000-2006) and the BET Awards in 2003, 2004, and 2007. These hosting gigs contributed to her income, though specific figures are not publicly available. In 2019, Mo’Nique began a residency at SLS Las Vegas called “Mo’Nique Does Vegas.” The financial details of this residency are not fully disclosed, but it is believed to have been a lucrative venture that helped her address past tax issues.
Tax Issues and Resolution
Mo’Nique has faced several issues with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In 2016, the IRS reportedly placed a lien on her for $389,000, citing unpaid taxes of $200,000 for 2013 and $188,000 for 2014. In 2017, another lien was reportedly placed on her for $170,000 related to a 2015 bill. By September 2019, her tax debt, including interest and penalties, had reportedly increased to $620,000.
However, Mo’Nique appears to have cleared these debts, potentially through earnings from her Las Vegas residency and other ventures. The resolution of these tax issues likely contributed positively to her overall net worth.
Netflix Lawsuit Details
In late 2019, Mo’Nique filed a lawsuit against Netflix, alleging gender and racial discrimination. The lawsuit stemmed from a $500,000 offer she received from Netflix for a 2018 comedy special. Mo’Nique claimed that Netflix demanded 100% ownership of the copyright and audio-only rights to the material, in addition to the low-ball offer. She highlighted that Amy Schumer was offered $11 million upfront, eventually earning $13 million, for comparable Netflix comedy specials.
Mo’Nique also alleged that Netflix retaliated against her after she complained about the pay discrepancy by walking away from negotiations. She argued that Netflix systematically underpaid black women while paying white comedians and black male comedians like Chris Rock ($40 million for a single special) and Dave Chappelle ($60 million for a single special) significantly more.
A federal judge sided with Mo’Nique, stating that Netflix’s refusal to negotiate an opening offer that was consistent with its normal business practices constituted an “adverse employment action for purposes of a retaliation claim.” The lawsuit was resolved “amicably” in mid-2022, although the specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
“The Parkers” Royalties Lawsuit Specifics
In April 2023, Mo’Nique filed a lawsuit against Paramount and CBS, alleging unpaid royalties for her UPN sitcom “The Parkers.” In her lawsuit, she claimed the companies “artificially depressed [the show’s] profitability to retain millions that would otherwise be contractually due” to Mo’Nique and the show’s writers. The Parkers produced 111 episodes between 1999 and 2004, qualifying it for syndication.
Mo’Nique has claimed that the show generated $800 million dollars in syndication deals between 2004 and 2009. It generated millions more over the next decade + and even more millions when it was sold to Netflix in 2020. She has estimated that “The Parkers” has generated $2 billion in revenue since going off the air. She has claimed that none of these profits have gone to her or her co-star Countess Vaughn. Mo’Nique has further claimed that the show cost a total of $60 million to produce during its entire run.
Real Estate and Personal Life Details
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 counter-sued, stating that she wanted out of her lease because the home smelled of dog feces and urine and had an overflowing septic tank and a mold problem. The lawsuits were settled for an undisclosed sum in 2012.
She appears to continue renting in Georgia, in a different mansion in the town of Braselton. The specific details of this current residence are not publicly available.
Career Milestones and Awards Specifics
Mo’Nique’s career is marked by several significant milestones. She made her acting debut as Nicole “Nikki” Parker on a 1999 episode of the UPN sitcom “Moesha,” leading to her role on “The Parkers.”
Her most significant achievement is perhaps her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2010 for her role in “Precious.” In addition to the Oscar, her performance 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 (Supporting Actress and Supporting Actress of the Decade). 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”).
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.
Mo’Nique: Net Worth Considerations and Summary
Mo’Nique’s $6 million net worth is the product of a multifaceted career in entertainment. Her roles in television series such as “The Parkers,” her film work in movies like “Precious”, hosting duties, stand-up comedy, and her Las Vegas residency all contributed to her financial standing.
While there were challenges, including tax issues and the Netflix lawsuit, Mo’Nique’s successful endeavors, including her role in “The Parkers” are indicative of her career’s overall financial success and contribution to her current net worth.
