Mo’Nique – Netflix Settles Discrimination Retaliation Lawsuit W/ Comedian

Mo’Nique – Netflix Settles Discrimination Retaliation Lawsuit W/ Comedian

Netflix is ready to settle things with Mo’Nique and move on!

According to reports, on Tuesday (June 14) Netflix settled a lawsuit from Mo’Nique that could have found the streaming giant responsible for retaliating against the comedian/actress after she refused to engage in an alleged compromised negotiation with them.  Mo’Nique previously accused Netflix of discrimination after the company reportedly offered her less money to do a stand-up special for their platform than they paid other comedians. The terms of the newly reached settlement weren’t disclosed. 

In 2017, Netflix requested for Mo’Nique to host a comedy special. However, negotiations between the streaming company and the “Parkers” actress didn’t get far. In 2019, Mo’Nique, 54, filed a lawsuit against Netflix, claiming she was discriminated against because of her gender and race. She also pointed out the company offered her $500,000 for a comedy special but other comedians such as Amy Schumer, Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock received multi-million dollar deals. 

The complaint stated:

“The offer made to Mo’Nique was merely an ‘opening offer’ from which there was an expectation – both by Netflix and Mo’Nique – of continued negotiations likely leading to increased compensation being offered to Mo’Nique.” 

The complaint continued:

“Once Mo’Nique engaged in protected conduct by protesting the discriminatory offer, Netflix shut down any further negotiations and refused to negotiate in good-faith consistent with its standard practices.”

Mo’Nique also spoke publicly about why she decided to boycott Netflix:

“I couldn’t accept that low offer because if I did … I couldn’t sleep at night.”

Mo’Nique continues:

“If I accepted $500,000, what does Tiffany Haddish have coming? If I accept that, what does the Black female comedian have coming? Because what they’ll say is, ‘Mo’Nique accepted this and she’s got that.’ So what do they have coming?”

Netflix said in a previously released statement on the issue:

“We believe our opening offer to Mo’Nique was fair – which is why we will be fighting this lawsuit.” 

Mo’Nique

The streaming company also argued that there’s no legal authority that supports Mo’Nique’s claim that an employer’s refusal to negotiate pay in good faith pertains to discrimination or retaliation.

The federal judge overseeing the lawsuit sided with Mo’Nique’s Netflix theory. The judge wrote:

“At the very least, Mo’Nique’s allegations permit the plausible inference that, had she not challenged her offer as discriminatory, Netflix would have continued negotiating in good faith with her and increased her offer, consistent with its customary practice in dealing with talent in the entertainment industry.”

Mo’Nique’s lawyer, Michael Parks, stated:

“The matter has been amicably resolved.”

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