1 00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:08,239 Speaker 1: Real people, real celebrity joined the Breakfast Morning. Everybody is 2 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:11,400 Speaker 1: DJ Mvy, Angela Yee, Charlomagne the guy. We are the 3 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: Breakfast Club. We have a special guest with us this morning. 4 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: I don't even know, just calling one of the queens 5 00:00:16,360 --> 00:00:17,960 Speaker 1: of comedy. You seem like you do so much more 6 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: than that. Now, hey baby, good morning. She came in 7 00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: here on nights. I thought she was gonna come in 8 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: and yell at us or something. Wow, Now I'm just kidding. 9 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: She said, your reputation procede you. Everybody think you're difficult 10 00:00:32,040 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: and angry all the time. For the folks that know me, 11 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 1: they know that's that's truly a joke. Absolutely, I'm a 12 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,920 Speaker 1: simming this baby, don't know me too well kidding, I 13 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 1: think you were going to really do that. Actually, I've 14 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:46,040 Speaker 1: seen a lot of your interviews lately, yes, and it 15 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 1: does seem a little odd that people would act like 16 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 1: you were so difficult and angry all the time. Obviously, 17 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:53,240 Speaker 1: we know you as a comedian first, you know, always 18 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:55,400 Speaker 1: pretty funny, and then we've seen you do some great 19 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 1: acting roles. We've seen your you know, your own TV show, 20 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: your own stock show. So I was like, where did 21 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: this come from? You know, well, angry is the first 22 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:05,040 Speaker 1: time I've heard that word, and that's that's new for 23 00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: me this morning. The difficulty, I think comes in when 24 00:01:09,520 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: they're used to hearing people say yes, and the moment 25 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,960 Speaker 1: you get that no, that can be considered difficult aboutely 26 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:18,640 Speaker 1: because if we're normally getting the yes and we run 27 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 1: into the person that says no, that could be a 28 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: little difficult that I'm not going to change my note 29 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: toy yes, So I can see how people would say 30 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 1: that absolutely that what you're saying no, you said you 31 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: got that actually from Martin. Martin gave you some great advice. 32 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 1: You know. When we did Roscoe Jenkins, that brother pulled 33 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: me in his trailer and he said, Monique, don't ever 34 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 1: let them tell you what you can't have. Now his 35 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:43,839 Speaker 1: trailer was a three floor penhouse. Okay, baby laid out, 36 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: and as we were talking, that brother was just giving 37 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: me that kind of brotherly and sisterly love, saying, they 38 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: will tell you no, they will tell you it's impossible. 39 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: Don't let them tell you what you can't have. As 40 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: I'm standing in his three story penhouse trailer, now, let 41 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: me ask you question as as our people black people 42 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: say black people were scaring say black say black black 43 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: people people. It feels like we're scared to say no. 44 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: It feels like sometimes that when we get something, it 45 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,760 Speaker 1: feels like entitlement. You see that a lot with us, 46 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: because no matter what it is, it seems like if 47 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:16,360 Speaker 1: somebody gives us something, we're like, okay, thank you, instead 48 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 1: of saying no, that's not my value, that's not my worth. Well, 49 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 1: I think historically we've done that, you know. I think 50 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,079 Speaker 1: that when you come from a place where we've never 51 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 1: gotten any money to then we're gonna get a little 52 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:28,720 Speaker 1: bit of money and we're just grateful for that little 53 00:02:28,720 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 1: bit of money. Then you have the people saying, well, no, 54 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 1: we need our worth, and you still have those people 55 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:37,160 Speaker 1: saying we should just be happy with what we're getting. 56 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: So it's not something that's new, it's something historically that 57 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,480 Speaker 1: has always happened. So to say do I see it now, well, 58 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:46,679 Speaker 1: we've always seen it. If we've been paying attention. Do 59 00:02:46,680 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: you have a problem with like you say no, yes, 60 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 1: and then another comedian who's doesn't care about their value 61 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: or that's really just trying to trip you, we'll say 62 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:56,720 Speaker 1: yes and get that job, and that could have been 63 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:58,600 Speaker 1: something that maybe you could have got or something that 64 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:00,639 Speaker 1: would have been big for you, but you said no 65 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:02,959 Speaker 1: when they undercut you. Does that happen a lot to you? Well, 66 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 1: I don't think it's a thing of undercutting. You know. 67 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: If you read Lewis Gotsi's book, Lewis goots said, what 68 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 1: Hollywood does understand what one won't do, another one will. 69 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:16,560 Speaker 1: So oftentimes you'll see us taking roles because when we 70 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 1: take a stand and say I can't accept that you 71 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 1: have to pay me what my resume says I'm worth, well, 72 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: they say, well, you know what another one will. And 73 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 1: I don't fault that other one, whoever that other one is, 74 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: because I don't know that situation. So for whatever reason 75 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 1: someone says yes I will, I can't judge it because 76 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: I don't know it. I only know mine. And there 77 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: are certain things that you have to say, we got 78 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,000 Speaker 1: a order line in the sand, because if not, my 79 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: sweet sister, your opportunities wouldn't come to you the way 80 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 1: that they do and for the next sister. So I 81 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,320 Speaker 1: think that's what this is all bawling down to. You 82 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: have some that will and something that won't. What about 83 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 1: all the independent movies that people are making that what 84 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:52,840 Speaker 1: if there's truly no budget, but you think it's a 85 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: great script, but they can't pay you your resume? You know, 86 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 1: then can you say, Okay, you know what, this is 87 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,120 Speaker 1: actually a great opportunity. I love it. I underst and 88 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:02,320 Speaker 1: that you're a new you know, you don't have the funding. 89 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: I'm down, you know what. That's a great point, says 90 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: And with Blackbird, the movie that's coming out Friday, April 91 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:12,040 Speaker 1: twenty fourth, it's independent and the reason why Sitney and 92 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: I really wanted to be a part of it was 93 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: number one, the message was amazing and it's amazing. Sitney, 94 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:19,760 Speaker 1: my husband and we were able to executive produce it. 95 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,800 Speaker 1: And we have real ownership, right So when you're that 96 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 1: passionate about something and you say, I'll not take the 97 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 1: full money upfront, but we own some of that. So 98 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,840 Speaker 1: in success, we will reap the benefits. As long as 99 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,599 Speaker 1: you see that movie, wherever you see it, we reap 100 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: the benefits from it. Sometimes what happens is you'll see 101 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: something over and over and over again, but we reap 102 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 1: the benefit one time, then somebody else continues to reap 103 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: that benefit. So for us, we appreciate the independent route 104 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,200 Speaker 1: because it gives us ownership of our image and our likeness, 105 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:54,120 Speaker 1: and they should appreciate that too, because and that means 106 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 1: you believed in it so much that you're like, I 107 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 1: want to put my name on this, I want to 108 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 1: be involved. I know that my name and my skills 109 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: are going to help take this to the next level, 110 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:03,400 Speaker 1: and we all get paid. You know. I think it's 111 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 1: a mutual respect all the way around. You know, it's 112 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:08,480 Speaker 1: not one doing something for the other, it's we're doing 113 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: something for each other, and we believe in the project. 114 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 1: So let's get married together in this business deal and 115 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: make it happen. It's easier to do that when you 116 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 1: got the money, though, it's easier to do be independent. Well. 117 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:21,680 Speaker 1: You know, when you're independent, just like anything else, you 118 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 1: go for funding, You go for investors, just like you're 119 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:27,160 Speaker 1: going to the studio. The studio is an investor. Now 120 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 1: they get mostly all and then something back. But when 121 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: you go independently, it's no different. You're going to those investors, 122 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:35,480 Speaker 1: those people to fund it. Now, what made you want 123 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:37,280 Speaker 1: to make Blackbird? Do you have somebody like in your 124 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:40,160 Speaker 1: family that's dealing with sexual identity issues? I think that 125 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 1: every single person that's listening to every one of y'all, 126 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 1: every one of us has somebody in our family that's 127 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:48,839 Speaker 1: dealing with or has dealt with their sexuality. And the 128 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: reason why Blackbird was so important is because so many 129 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 1: of our babies are struggling with trying to accept who 130 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: they are and be accepted. Because in this day and age, 131 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 1: you have people still struggling with something that makes you say, 132 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: I can't believe we're still fighting with other human beings 133 00:06:07,279 --> 00:06:09,840 Speaker 1: just to be the way they are. So with Blackbird, 134 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 1: this is a story about a young brother coming up 135 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 1: in a Deep South seventeen years old in high school 136 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,800 Speaker 1: on a roll student, a really good guy, but he's 137 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: fighting with the sexuality because he's been raised in a 138 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: strict Christian upbringing that it's a sin, you're condemned to hell, 139 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:29,160 Speaker 1: you are a disgrace if you are a homosexual. So 140 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:31,599 Speaker 1: you see this baby trying to deal with that. His mother, 141 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: the character that I play, she's one of those women 142 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 1: that she believes everything in the Bible, she believes everything 143 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 1: on that pulpit. So to her to find out that 144 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:41,720 Speaker 1: her baby is gay and then she's still fighting the 145 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: abduction of her daughter. Oh baby, she thinks that little 146 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 1: boy has disgraced the family, going to hell. He is 147 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: the worst creature on the face of this earth trying 148 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: to deal with fat So you see the dynamic behind 149 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 1: the duor. Isaiah Washington, who is absolutely brilliant, plays the 150 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 1: dad in this movie. And only when you see a 151 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,480 Speaker 1: dad on TV plane, a father to a gay son, 152 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:07,919 Speaker 1: it's the church stereotypical. I hate you how it's the 153 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:14,239 Speaker 1: exact It is the exact opposent, and Isaiah Washington loves 154 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: his baby through it. So we appreciative to show that 155 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 1: character and not unique. There are fathers that love their 156 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: sons through it, loved their daughters through it, but we 157 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: just don't get a chance to see it. So it's 158 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: one of those films that we believe will change hearts, 159 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: open minds, and start different conversation, different conversations in our churches. Yes, 160 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: my life, what made you want to take on another struggle? 161 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:37,119 Speaker 1: Because you're black, your female, you got your own issues 162 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 1: in America? What made you want to deal with the 163 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 1: issue of the issues homosexual homosexual face? You know, because 164 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: it's just the issue of love. And when I was 165 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: sixteen years old, I was introduced to that culture with 166 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: some beautiful young gay black brothers and they all have 167 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 1: the same story most of them. Did you know, I 168 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: was thrown away the church don't want me no more? 169 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: And their ruggling to find their place. Now most of 170 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: those brothers are gone today. So during this movie was 171 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:09,119 Speaker 1: truly my love letter to those brothers saying we hope 172 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: this makes a difference. And the brother playing the character, 173 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 1: the star of the movie, Julian Walker, when I tell y'all, 174 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 1: this baby was so brave and so courageous and so 175 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 1: fearless because to take on that role and he didn't 176 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: know to be afraid. It's the first thing he's ever done. 177 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 1: Just like Gabaree, Citabey and Precious got the same feelings 178 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: with that baby. With this baby, to take on such 179 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: a role and not be concerned about what people might 180 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,959 Speaker 1: think and just give it its honesty. It is something 181 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: to see that you and Lee Daniels cool because it's 182 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:42,599 Speaker 1: not right his alley. You know, I'm gonna say this, 183 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:45,079 Speaker 1: Lee Daniels and I are cool. It's one of those 184 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:46,960 Speaker 1: things when you know how you have a friend and 185 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: a friend go to a left a little bit and 186 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: you wait for him to come on back over. That's 187 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 1: what it is. I'm just waiting for him to come 188 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 1: on back over. That's come on back over, and you 189 00:08:57,000 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: would work with him again. Yes, I think Lee Daniels 190 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 1: is one of the most brilliant visionaries of our generation. 191 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 1: Right now, why did you feel to need to show 192 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: the emails about being offered the role of Cookie because 193 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:09,079 Speaker 1: they was lying on you because my character was in 194 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: question and I took pride of my character. Now, if 195 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 1: people who just joined us that they don't understand you 196 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,440 Speaker 1: were offered the role yes, Cookie, Yes, and yet the 197 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 1: emails to prove it. But you know, on the other side, 198 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:21,920 Speaker 1: they were saying she was never offered that role. So 199 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: it kind of made you look like girl. Didn't make 200 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:33,440 Speaker 1: me look crazy, y'all know, Mama ain't crazy. Yeah, that 201 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 1: was it. It was. It was when mister Strong made 202 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:37,840 Speaker 1: the statement she was never offered the role and that 203 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: never happened. It's like, as I have the communication here, right, so, 204 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 1: I don't want to play that game, but I have 205 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: to say, when you're putting something out that is not 206 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: true and it's an attack on my character, let me 207 00:09:49,559 --> 00:09:51,480 Speaker 1: show you what it is. So explain what happened. Break 208 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 1: it down. So you got to offer the role, yes, Empire, 209 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:56,559 Speaker 1: of course Cookie, And then what happened got off with 210 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: the role of Empire for Cookie and normally the way 211 00:09:59,679 --> 00:10:02,320 Speaker 1: Leon I do business. When he called me for Shadowboxer, 212 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: it was a call from Lee. Hey my mom got 213 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 1: this part. I want you to play, No problem, send 214 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 1: me the script. That's it. Attorneys get involved, we do 215 00:10:10,160 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: the deal. Same thing with Prescious. Hey my mom got 216 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: this role, want you to do it? We call attorneys, 217 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: get involved. Deal is done. Well. It was no difference 218 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 1: with this one. That's how we've always done business. Hey 219 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 1: my mom got this role for you. It's Cookie for 220 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 1: this pilot. I'm doing Empire. We laughed and joked about it, 221 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:30,640 Speaker 1: talked about it, got the size for it. He's sitting there, listen, 222 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 1: you need to do this technical thing, this screen testing, 223 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: because it's TV and you know I don't know too 224 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: much about TV. No problem, brother, that's my boy. I'm 225 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:41,600 Speaker 1: gonna do it. While when we were waiting to get 226 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 1: the date to do the screen tests, that's when all 227 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 1: the confusion begin to come in. Cauls weren't being returned. 228 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,440 Speaker 1: It's like, Hey, what's happening? When I finally get a call, 229 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: he says, listen, Fox said, you're difficult. I said, I'm difficult, 230 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: he said, And I told them, let you be my difficulty. 231 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 1: I said, brother, while, but you tell them that you're 232 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:03,600 Speaker 1: not never had any problems with each other. He was like, well, 233 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:06,079 Speaker 1: they just want to go with to Rogie p Henson. Hey, 234 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 1: she's gonna knock it out the part, no problem, I said, 235 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 1: but don't put it out there that your girl is difficult. 236 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 1: He said, well, you know I can't let you mess 237 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 1: with my money. Go get it, baby. That was what 238 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,959 Speaker 1: our conversation was. So when I see my brother going 239 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 1: on TV and he says things that he know it's 240 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: not true, it's like, just tell the conversation that we had. 241 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 1: That's all. It's not right, wrong, or indifferent. Just tell 242 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 1: the conversation that we had. You think you should have 243 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:31,560 Speaker 1: had your back though, you know, I mean you think 244 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 1: you should have really, because 'all did movies with maybe 245 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: his hands. Though. I don't want to mess with anybody's money. 246 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:41,199 Speaker 1: And if they're saying, listen, we're not gonna use her, 247 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:43,160 Speaker 1: we're not gonna do it with her. I don't want 248 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,319 Speaker 1: to mess with my brother's money, and to Rogie p 249 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:49,720 Speaker 1: Henson is the baddest Cookie Lions that television could ever see. 250 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 1: So the person that was supposed to get it got it. 251 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 1: But it has nothing to do with that. It's the 252 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 1: principle of you putting it out there that it never happened. 253 00:11:57,400 --> 00:11:58,680 Speaker 1: When you see that road, do you think that you 254 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: could have pulled it off as good as you know? Again, 255 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:06,679 Speaker 1: my sister is killing it. There's no comparison. She's killing it. 256 00:12:06,679 --> 00:12:09,280 Speaker 1: It's almost like, once you see somebody doing it, could 257 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: anybody else be jj? Could anybody else have been nicky Poker? 258 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:16,200 Speaker 1: So when you see it, it's like there's no one 259 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:18,320 Speaker 1: else that could have been Cookie Lions of it than 260 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: to Roger PN's Well, it's great that you've been coming 261 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: out now and letting people know what really went down 262 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 1: behind the scenes, because people were thinking, oh, maybe she's difficult. 263 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:26,679 Speaker 1: People don't want to work with her. So now are 264 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: the offers pouring in? Well, you know the offers. When 265 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 1: you say they pouring in, they never stopped coming. The 266 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 1: scripts never stopped coming. Okay, they just didn't make sense, 267 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 1: So there was no black ball that happened. That's the confusion. 268 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 1: They say you black ball, But then you getting all 269 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:41,680 Speaker 1: these scripts offer there was no black I never said 270 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:44,560 Speaker 1: I was black ball. That was Lee Daniel's perception. And 271 00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:47,240 Speaker 1: I tell people you have to actually Daniels about that, 272 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:50,560 Speaker 1: because it never stopped on my end. The reason why 273 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:53,439 Speaker 1: you hadn't seen me is because it just didn't make sense. 274 00:12:54,040 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 1: And had I taken those roles and taking those offers, 275 00:12:57,240 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 1: what do we leave for the sister coming behind us? Right? 276 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: Got it? Go ahead? Monique's been around a long time. 277 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 1: I'm sure this is your first time seeing how shady 278 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 1: the industry is. But you know what, baby, it's life. 279 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:21,280 Speaker 1: It's not just Hollywood, It's it's across the board, and 280 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 1: you just deal with it accordingly. And you have to 281 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 1: ask the question, will you be willing to take a 282 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 1: stand or will you consider to stay in the shade? 283 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 1: Do you think that a lot of black people we 284 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: take opportunity over money because we feel like it's not 285 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 1: a lot of opportunity out there for us. We say, oh, 286 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: we at least if I get in this position in 287 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 1: the next person, you'll get paid. You know. That's that's 288 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 1: a great question, And I think it really depends on 289 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 1: the situation. You know, again, I can't judge anyone's situation, 290 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:48,959 Speaker 1: but I really think it depends on the situation at hand. 291 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:50,960 Speaker 1: You know, there was a story about this brother, Kirk 292 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:54,640 Speaker 1: flood Um baseball player, and I hope I'm saying this 293 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:57,440 Speaker 1: name correctly. And because of that brother is why we 294 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:01,480 Speaker 1: have free agency. And doing his time period, he was 295 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 1: taking a stands in you're not paying us for our worth, 296 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 1: and there were other players saying just be quiet and 297 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:12,560 Speaker 1: accepted because we've gotten an opportunity. Well, that man died, 298 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: broke and ill, and then when they did the documentary 299 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: documentary on him, all the players said that was alive 300 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 1: during that time and played with him. He was right. 301 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:27,320 Speaker 1: We was just too afraid that we would get shut 302 00:14:27,360 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: out and we had to feed our families. So again, 303 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 1: you don't know people's situations, but it's just unfortunate. It 304 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:35,840 Speaker 1: takes some of us to leave here for people that 305 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 1: didn't say they were right. Absolutely. Now, when you won 306 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 1: the Academy award, was that a gift or was it 307 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: a curse? Or was it both? It was appreciated, and 308 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 1: any award I've ever won, I'm appreciative of it, But 309 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:52,760 Speaker 1: it wasn't the Academy that was that award that made 310 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:55,360 Speaker 1: me feel like this is that award. And I find 311 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 1: it interesting because when we speak about what black people 312 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 1: do and don't do, even when I come to us 313 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 1: to do the interviews, no one's ever asked me how 314 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: I felt the night that I'm won the Image Award, 315 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: which is ours. No one's ever put value into our award. 316 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 1: It's always the Oscar and I understand it because we've 317 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:17,680 Speaker 1: been conditioned to believe that's it. That's what I say 318 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 1: about the Grammys when I see all these rappers and 319 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:21,160 Speaker 1: stuff there. I didn't even win a Grammar in the Grammy, 320 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 1: but you don't feel that you don't even show up 321 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 1: to the the b T Hip hop awards are to be 322 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 1: when they call your neighbor. That's accept your award for you. 323 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 1: It's like the moment we put value into us is 324 00:15:32,760 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 1: the moment it becomes valuable. With the elbow point when 325 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 1: you won out of school, you really was feeling yourself 326 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 1: like I am the hit right now. No, baby, you 327 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 1: know being an actress is something that literally fell in 328 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:53,720 Speaker 1: my lap. But you're from the bottom though, like you 329 00:15:53,840 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 1: was a stand up comic. Is that I'm never head, baby, 330 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 1: don't make me bring Drake to the show. Don't do 331 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:13,600 Speaker 1: it from the stage comments, Yes, they come up from 332 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: that stage. Win the Academy award. That's a big big deal, 333 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: you know. To to win any award is a big 334 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:24,160 Speaker 1: big deal for me because whenever they call my name, 335 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: I'm that little girl standing in my bathroom mirror saying, 336 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,400 Speaker 1: one day with a brush in my hand and a 337 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,000 Speaker 1: tail around my body, I'm that little girl. And I 338 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 1: don't care what award it is, but the trophies that 339 00:16:35,520 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: I'm really appreciative of. My son's football trophy. Talk about 340 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 1: one is twenty five. Michael's eleven, and the twins David 341 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: and Jonathan are nine. Now, y'all gotta understand why the 342 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:51,680 Speaker 1: football trophies are the biggest trophies and the hits residence 343 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:55,600 Speaker 1: because Michael is a superstar football player. Baby. He runs 344 00:16:55,640 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 1: all around these children, touchdowns, tackles. He's getting it. But 345 00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 1: the twins, okay, they don't. They don't really do it 346 00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,919 Speaker 1: like that. So when they got their trophies, we were 347 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 1: so proud. We were like, these on the trophies right here, baby. 348 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 1: But now did I show off with those trophies? Yes? 349 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 1: I did. I called all my friends and said, y'all 350 00:17:16,480 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: don't even want to see none of this, baby, the 351 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: Hicks Brothers trophy. Do you ever think about going and 352 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 1: doing another stand up comedy tour about That's the same 353 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:28,399 Speaker 1: thing I've never stopped. I've never stopped like a full tour. 354 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:30,639 Speaker 1: Like before I came here to New York, I was 355 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:35,159 Speaker 1: in cents a Tucky doing the improfit Censor Tucky. Okay, 356 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 1: it's Cincinnati and Kentucky, baby, but crossed the street over 357 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:43,159 Speaker 1: on the other and they call it Censor Tucky. I 358 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,639 Speaker 1: was confused to listen, baby, that don't sound like a 359 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:48,040 Speaker 1: difficult person to me. Let me tell you, I love 360 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:52,359 Speaker 1: that circuit because it gives me the opportunity to say 361 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,440 Speaker 1: thank you, and it gives me the opportunity to continue 362 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 1: to say no to things that just don't make sense. 363 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 1: And when I was listening to Richard Pryor, Richard Pryor's 364 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:05,639 Speaker 1: best work and my humble opinion for me, was in 365 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 1: the clubs. It was when it was intimate, right there 366 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 1: in your face. You could feel that I'm smoking, you 367 00:18:11,560 --> 00:18:14,120 Speaker 1: can feel I'm drinking, you can feel the waitresses. That 368 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:16,960 Speaker 1: was the best for me, and I love that intimacy. 369 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:19,199 Speaker 1: I love being on that club stage, and we are 370 00:18:19,320 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: right there together even after all of that, and they 371 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: say more, why would you come back to the clubs? 372 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 1: Because I can and I'm supposed to. And it's my 373 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 1: way of saying thank you and thank y'all for letting 374 00:18:30,280 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 1: me to continue to say no to things that don't 375 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 1: make sense. That means you're making a lot of money 376 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:43,320 Speaker 1: in them clubs. This HBO. Bessie said, yeah, what is Bessie? 377 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: What is this? Blacks? Where the black balling coming from? 378 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: You're getting all his working man? Now, now you could 379 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 1: day the face that's the playground face. I don't know. 380 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: They said mean things about me in the sind ybe No, 381 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 1: they don't want to get on the sea saw with me. 382 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 1: I go no. You know again, you know how they say, 383 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:09,880 Speaker 1: don't believe everything you hear and half of what you see. 384 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:12,960 Speaker 1: It was so easy to jump to the negative. It 385 00:19:13,040 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 1: was so easy. And people said, Monique, how do you 386 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:18,879 Speaker 1: feel that some of your peers or people were saying 387 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: this and that. I said, y'all, I'm no different than 388 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,359 Speaker 1: the sister that working the burger king. Somebody started a 389 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: rumor and it kept spreading and it went to all 390 00:19:27,080 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 1: the burger kings in that region, and no one came 391 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:31,680 Speaker 1: to the sister that was frying to god dag on 392 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 1: burgers and asked her, what really happened? Did you really 393 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 1: drop the burger on the floor and put it back 394 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:38,399 Speaker 1: in the bun and give it to the president of 395 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: the company. No one ever took the time out to ask. 396 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:45,320 Speaker 1: So it's just being able to say for what really happened. 397 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:48,520 Speaker 1: And I appreciate the brothers and sisters to say, mo, 398 00:19:48,720 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: what happened instead of jumping to that place of this 399 00:19:52,119 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 1: is what went down and we know it. Bessie Smith 400 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 1: was one of the greatest blue singers of our time, 401 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 1: of that time, and Queen Latifa plays Bessie Smith. And 402 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 1: when I tell y'all that, in my humble opinion, it 403 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:18,240 Speaker 1: is her best performance to date because she is Bessie Smith. 404 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 1: Remember how Jamie was Rachel. Queen Latifa is Bessie Smith. 405 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 1: It's scary. I mean, this sister is so amazing in 406 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 1: this role that you. As I was watching her, I'm like, 407 00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 1: go here, girl and do your thing. And it just 408 00:20:34,560 --> 00:20:37,040 Speaker 1: tells her life story. And I get the opportunity to 409 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:39,720 Speaker 1: play a character named my Rainie and I never heard 410 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:42,200 Speaker 1: of this woman until I read the script. Just goes 411 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 1: to show you that we gotta dig for our history 412 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:47,240 Speaker 1: because they don't tell her to us in schools. My 413 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,240 Speaker 1: Rainie was Bessie Smith's mentor. And you get a chance 414 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:53,919 Speaker 1: to see this amazing friendship between these two women that 415 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,720 Speaker 1: we don't often get a chance to see anymore. And 416 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:59,840 Speaker 1: you watch just the ups and downs and how this 417 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:03,280 Speaker 1: group of people during that time was able to make 418 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:07,960 Speaker 1: it through Mike Apps, Charles Dutton, Candy Alexander, Tiki something. 419 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: It's It is just absolutely something to watch sixteenth on HBO. 420 00:21:12,280 --> 00:21:13,919 Speaker 1: Do you ever just want to scream out, like when 421 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,000 Speaker 1: they say things like Monique was black, bitch, I'm working 422 00:21:18,080 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: come to the show, and I was going to pass 423 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 1: that with your husband. You and your husband are so tight, Yes, 424 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 1: do you ever have to check him and be like, baby, 425 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:27,800 Speaker 1: don't go punch that man in his face because you 426 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:30,119 Speaker 1: know it's this is you know you was baby and 427 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:33,440 Speaker 1: this is a partnership. Now you know my husband has 428 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:40,200 Speaker 1: to check me. Okay, my husband, I've been best friend 429 00:21:40,240 --> 00:21:43,520 Speaker 1: since tenth grade, since we were fourteen years old, and 430 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,199 Speaker 1: he's probably the only human being on the face of 431 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 1: this earth that knows me better than I know myself. 432 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 1: So when I hear people saying that Monique and her 433 00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 1: husband are these difficult people, it makes us both laugh 434 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 1: because we're so far from that. What we are a 435 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 1: very honest people and we hold you to your words 436 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:04,680 Speaker 1: and your conversations, and people can have a difficult time 437 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:07,920 Speaker 1: with that. And again, that's why people will say they're difficult, 438 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:11,400 Speaker 1: because we ask questions that normally aren't asked, and they 439 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:14,439 Speaker 1: haven't practiced the answer, so before we'll get an answer, 440 00:22:14,720 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 1: they're just these difficult people. And it's understandable. What did 441 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:20,440 Speaker 1: you think when you read about the Sony leaks, you know, 442 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: where the emails were leaked from all the executives back 443 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 1: and forth, and they were talking about all the actors, 444 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 1: and you know, we were not in Hollywood, so we 445 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:29,120 Speaker 1: don't know how executives talking. We were like, oh my god, 446 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 1: I can't believe they said that, and all this stuff 447 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:33,320 Speaker 1: is coming out. Were you surprising, I can't believe that, 448 00:22:33,359 --> 00:22:35,040 Speaker 1: you said, I can't believe they said that. I mean, 449 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 1: the average person, the average person is just like, wow, 450 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 1: why are they talking like this about? You know, these 451 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 1: famous actors are talking about Angelina and Jolie. They're going 452 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: in on Kevin Hart because they're people and they do 453 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:49,720 Speaker 1: what we do as people. We talk about people, we 454 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,439 Speaker 1: put people to a different esteem, we hold them to 455 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:55,520 Speaker 1: a different level. Well, they're executives, but executives are what 456 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 1: they people. It's just like that sister in the burger king, 457 00:23:00,240 --> 00:23:03,440 Speaker 1: just that bank accounts are different. That's it. So once 458 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:06,120 Speaker 1: we start realizing they're just people and they do what 459 00:23:06,160 --> 00:23:08,359 Speaker 1: people do, we don't put so much weight and be 460 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: so shocked. How could they say that, because they just 461 00:23:11,720 --> 00:23:14,680 Speaker 1: people and that's what people do. Now everybody's talking about 462 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:17,720 Speaker 1: this influxible black folks on TV right now. They see 463 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:23,680 Speaker 1: it's looking like the nineties. He thought my vib that 464 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 1: he was saying it. Do you think it's a trend 465 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 1: or something that's gonna last? Just do yourself a favor today. 466 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:33,600 Speaker 1: Start your TV on channel zero and go all way 467 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 1: to one hundred and see how many of people of 468 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:40,840 Speaker 1: color you see, and then react that question. So, do 469 00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:43,119 Speaker 1: we think it's an influx due? But when you just 470 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 1: count the numbers, you'll answer your own question. True. Now, 471 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,440 Speaker 1: talking about Blackbird, why do you think homophobia is still 472 00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:53,240 Speaker 1: so prevalent in the Black community. You know what, baby, 473 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:54,920 Speaker 1: I used to think that it was only prevalent in 474 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,040 Speaker 1: the Black community. And I used to think it was 475 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 1: only our churches that were, you know, the ones that 476 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 1: were saying put them out no more. Until we started 477 00:24:03,560 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 1: taking this film to the festivals around the country, and 478 00:24:07,119 --> 00:24:09,080 Speaker 1: what we realized was, it's not just in the Black 479 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: community at all. It's in the Asian community. It's in 480 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:16,480 Speaker 1: the Latin community, it's in the Italian community, it's in 481 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: the Jewish community. It's come on, now, it's in every community. 482 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:24,479 Speaker 1: Because again, it's just people. I only felt like it 483 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 1: was in the Black community because that's the community that 484 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:29,280 Speaker 1: I deal was mainly. So I only saw the pain 485 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:32,320 Speaker 1: in our community. But then when you go out, you 486 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:36,159 Speaker 1: see that pain in all communities. True, now, you awful 487 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,520 Speaker 1: lot of week. Yes, it was like a hundred pounds, right. 488 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:41,560 Speaker 1: I heard you said you was the champion of big girls. 489 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:43,680 Speaker 1: Do you feel like you're abandoning them? Do you feel 490 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 1: like I'm a small girl? You're small? Yeah, here's what's beautiful. 491 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 1: I am still two hundred pounds. And for y'all to 492 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 1: look at me and say you're not big? Oh how big? 493 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:04,359 Speaker 1: Oh God? And no one said a damn thing to 494 00:25:04,520 --> 00:25:08,920 Speaker 1: me until one time, thing, Sasha, I watched the Parkers 495 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,560 Speaker 1: one time and rerun okay, and I saw Nikki's ass 496 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:15,480 Speaker 1: going to the door. I said, no one said anything. 497 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:19,200 Speaker 1: No one said And here's the thing. By no means 498 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:22,280 Speaker 1: am I ever gonna be a small woman ever. But 499 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:24,240 Speaker 1: what I do want to do is be a big, 500 00:25:24,280 --> 00:25:28,400 Speaker 1: healthy woman. My husband liked the curves, he likes the roundness. 501 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 1: But I want to be around so we can enjoy 502 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 1: each other for a lifetime. So never will I get 503 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:39,880 Speaker 1: to be a two or four, six, eight, ten, twelve. 504 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:43,320 Speaker 1: Right now, I'm in a fourteen w sixteen, and depending 505 00:25:43,359 --> 00:25:45,639 Speaker 1: on how it's cut, baby, I might need an eighteen. 506 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 1: But okay, but I'm not trying to be that. All 507 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 1: I'm trying to do is be around as long as 508 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:53,120 Speaker 1: I can, and to say to my big sisters, I'm 509 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:56,119 Speaker 1: going nowhere. I'm still right here, but we can be 510 00:25:56,200 --> 00:25:58,760 Speaker 1: big healthy women. True. But you know what it was. 511 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:00,720 Speaker 1: You lived your truth, and when you live your truth, 512 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 1: nobody can use your truth against you. That's why nobody 513 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:04,679 Speaker 1: ever said anything, because you owned it. If you were off, 514 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:10,399 Speaker 1: it was mine, it was mine, baby, Nobody, it was 515 00:26:10,640 --> 00:26:14,440 Speaker 1: all mine until my husband was brave enough to say 516 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:16,920 Speaker 1: to me, Hey, Mama, I love you. I don't want 517 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 1: you to be here. He he asked me how much 518 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:23,440 Speaker 1: I weighed. Well, no one ever said that, And when 519 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:25,760 Speaker 1: he said it, I knew it was three hundred pounds, 520 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:29,320 Speaker 1: but I couldn't say it, so I said two hundred 521 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:31,719 Speaker 1: and sixty six pounds, trying to be real sexy with it. 522 00:26:32,359 --> 00:26:34,960 Speaker 1: He said, that's too much, and I want you for 523 00:26:35,040 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 1: a lifetime. That was the changing point in my life 524 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:41,480 Speaker 1: because no one had ever spoken to me like that. 525 00:26:41,640 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 1: And how did you lose the weight? Was it eating better, exercising, 526 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 1: trying to eat things that I can pronounce. If I 527 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,760 Speaker 1: can't pronounce it, I try not to eat it. No, 528 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: I don't always win because them damn wings at Virgiles. 529 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:55,840 Speaker 1: I'm gonna tell you something. I don't know what they're 530 00:26:55,840 --> 00:26:58,440 Speaker 1: putting on them wings, baby, but they are delicious. But 531 00:26:58,800 --> 00:27:01,040 Speaker 1: as Sydney said to me, because when I first got 532 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:03,520 Speaker 1: into it, I wanted to happen right away. I wanted 533 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 1: to quick. And after three weeks, I'm looking in the mirror, baby, 534 00:27:07,040 --> 00:27:09,199 Speaker 1: and I'm naked. I said, Daddy, do you see a difference? 535 00:27:09,200 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 1: He said, No, that wasn't what I was looking for. 536 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:15,400 Speaker 1: But what I understood was the moment he said yes, 537 00:27:16,119 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 1: I knew that he really saw something different. So you know, 538 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 1: when I say to the sisters, save your life, I'm 539 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 1: not saying get a surgery. I'm not saying starve yourself. 540 00:27:25,359 --> 00:27:27,879 Speaker 1: All I'm saying is save your life and be the 541 00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:30,080 Speaker 1: healthiest that you can be. You have you used to 542 00:27:30,119 --> 00:27:32,160 Speaker 1: do radio? Do you miss radio because you can get 543 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:34,520 Speaker 1: on the microphone every day and clear of any misconceptions. 544 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 1: I miss it. I miss I miss my family. I 545 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:43,480 Speaker 1: miss you know, I miss my family. And I enjoy this, 546 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:46,800 Speaker 1: you know, because being behind this microphone, and I must say, 547 00:27:47,040 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 1: you look really nice. Because I've done radio with some 548 00:27:49,680 --> 00:27:52,479 Speaker 1: sisters and I'm like, listen, if they could see you, 549 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:55,679 Speaker 1: if they could see you, baby, they would they wouldn't 550 00:27:55,680 --> 00:27:57,720 Speaker 1: want to listen to you anymore. Because did you even 551 00:27:57,720 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 1: comb your hair? So? Yes? Because vote TV? So you 552 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:10,680 Speaker 1: know that's like that. It don't be like this at home. Yeah, 553 00:28:10,720 --> 00:28:13,600 Speaker 1: but I enjoy it. I've always enjoyed it absolutely. But 554 00:28:13,720 --> 00:28:16,040 Speaker 1: we appreciate you joining us, right yeah, man, I mean 555 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 1: you know what it was. You know, people they were saying, 556 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,800 Speaker 1: you're a difficult but I got told him, I've seen 557 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:22,399 Speaker 1: you before and you gave me one of the someone 558 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:30,800 Speaker 1: said to you, I was just tell me who them 559 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:34,679 Speaker 1: Vade like Bernie Max, say who is they? Because what 560 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:37,840 Speaker 1: happens is it goes back to the playground, and I've 561 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 1: always been in a little girl in the playground, Monique. 562 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:41,959 Speaker 1: Somebody said, if you ain't gonna tell me who said it, 563 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:44,320 Speaker 1: then don't even bring it to me, because what it 564 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 1: says is you're not courageous enough to say. What I'm 565 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 1: not gonna do is is he says. She say, I'm 566 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 1: gonna be your friend, and I'm gonna say, listen, someone 567 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:55,200 Speaker 1: who this is their name? They said it? So maybe 568 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 1: those two people can get together and clear it up. 569 00:28:57,920 --> 00:28:59,840 Speaker 1: So if you're not gonna say who said it, then 570 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:04,880 Speaker 1: don't do it because we've grown absolutely I said that 571 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:07,640 Speaker 1: they're not okay. You've been get some more movies as 572 00:29:07,680 --> 00:29:10,040 Speaker 1: well after Blackbirds. That's something that you're like, let me 573 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:13,040 Speaker 1: get some more opportunities if it makes sense. If it 574 00:29:13,120 --> 00:29:15,120 Speaker 1: makes sense, yes, would you paid me one of the 575 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:16,760 Speaker 1: highest companies one time because I let you and your 576 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:18,400 Speaker 1: your home girl go out to the the elevator first and 577 00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 1: you said, thank your mama and your grandma for me. 578 00:29:21,280 --> 00:29:22,920 Speaker 1: So when everybody, when people saying to me and said 579 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,400 Speaker 1: you was difficult, I was like, well she was nice 580 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,560 Speaker 1: to me. When I matter. You remember that you ain't 581 00:29:27,560 --> 00:29:33,240 Speaker 1: doing me. I wouldn't nobody, don't, no, no, no, I'm 582 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:37,240 Speaker 1: saying you remember that, Yeah, right, so do I. And 583 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 1: when you say I'm a nobody, you're everybody to me. 584 00:29:40,840 --> 00:29:44,640 Speaker 1: You're somebody to me because you're saying go. His sisters say, 585 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:46,720 Speaker 1: I don't care about you. I don't care about nothing. 586 00:29:46,760 --> 00:29:49,920 Speaker 1: You do what that set was your mama and your 587 00:29:49,960 --> 00:29:52,560 Speaker 1: grandmama and your daddy. There were some folks to say, 588 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:55,480 Speaker 1: when you see some mother's sisters, you make sure you 589 00:29:55,520 --> 00:30:00,000 Speaker 1: protect them enough to let them step on. I appreciated that. Absolutely. 590 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:03,160 Speaker 1: We gotta bring Lee Daniels only ask him about black Boss, 591 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 1: black Boy. You know what this is trash. This is 592 00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:12,280 Speaker 1: trash New York. That's why I love him. Trash ladies. 593 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:15,160 Speaker 1: Monique is the breakfast club Gamdi