Vault: Interview with Mo'Nique

Summary

The Bert Show: Vault – Interview with Mo’Nique

Date: May 12, 2026
Guest: Mo’Nique
Episode Focus: From Stand-up to “Precious,” Healing, and Turning Pain Into Power

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Episode Overview

This engaging episode of The Bert Show features Oscar-winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique in an intimate, revealing conversation. The cast explores her journey from stand-up beginnings in Atlanta to her acclaimed dramatic role in “Precious.” Mo’Nique speaks openly about personal traumas, the power of honest storytelling, motherhood, fame, and her fearless approach to both comedy and drama. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Precious,” its impact, and her perspective on healing, both for the audience and herself.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mo’Nique’s Roots in Atlanta Comedy

• Atlanta as her Comedy Foundation:

  • Mo’Nique shares that while her first jokes were told in Baltimore, Atlanta is truly where she developed as a comedian, performing at the Comedy Act Theater and Uptown Comedy Corner on Peachtree.
    • “I lived in Atlanta years ago. Yeah. This is really where I got my start in comedy.” (00:14)

• Supportive Beginnings:

  • Contrary to stereotypical tough starts, Mo’Nique recounts positive experiences on stage from the beginning.
    • “Knock on wood. I've always had a great time on stage. Like, I've never had that moment of, oh god, maybe I should rethink this.” (00:50)

• Dreams of Entertainment:

  • She always wanted to be an entertainer, not necessarily a comedian, until she first stepped on stage.
    • “I've always wanted to be an entertainer. I've always wanted to be famous. But exactly what it was gonna be, I didn't know until I told my first joke.” (01:03)

Transition to Talk Show Host and Motherhood

• Balancing Fame and Family:

  • Now more of a homebody, when off set, Mo’Nique focuses on her young children and family life.
    • “Once I'm done doing the talk show, I bring it home. I got babies 4 years old, right? So the party happens right here with the Wiggles, Blues Clues, Sesame Street.” (01:42)

• Her Approach to Hosting:

  • Sees the talk show world as a playground, embracing imperfections and learning as she goes.
    • “It's a big playground. But when you on the playground, baby, you just play... I'm still trying to balance the seesaw, but I'm still playing.” (02:05)

Living Without Fear and Redefining Success

• Fearless Philosophy:

  • Mo’Nique radiates confidence, expressing a complete lack of fear of failure and a deep presence in the current moment.
    • “Tomorrow is not promised. So if today is my last day, I'm gonna have a good time on the ride.” (02:30)
    • “Zero fear. And what is failure?” (02:43)

• Impact Over Acclaim:

  • She values personal impact over critical acclaim or numbers:
    • “My hope is that one person will walk away and think differently. And if one person walks away and thinks differently and either gets themselves some help... guess what? That's a great thing, baby.” (02:55)

“Precious:” The Power and Pain of Mary Jones

• Synopsis in Her Own Words:

  • Mo’Nique describes “Precious” as both harrowing and healing:
    • “Precious is a movie of illiteracy, sexual molestation, physical abuse, HIV and aids, but it's also a movie of triumph. It is heartbreaking, but it's heart healing.” (04:35)

• Infusing Personal History:

  • She reveals she channeled personal trauma into the role, having been molested by her brother as a child:
    • “I didn't have to mentally prepare for the character because I knew the character. I was molested as a child, and I was molested by my oldest brother, Gerald. And my brother was that character. He was Mary Jones to me.” (05:09)

• On-Set Coping Techniques:

  • With encouragement from her husband, Mo’Nique learned to emotionally release after intense scenes:
    • “My husband and I had a sweet conversation. And he said, mama, leave it on the floor. When he says, cut, let it be cut.” (05:37)
    • Scene breaks were spent dancing and laughing to house music:
    • “When he said cut, he would put on some house music, baby. We would dance and eat crab legs and laugh.” (05:53)

• Most Challenging Scenes:

  • Two scenes stood out as particularly difficult, involving violence against children:
    • “There was one scene where I had to get myself together... One when Mary Jones throws the baby, and the other scene is when she throws the little girl and calls her an animal.” (07:25)

Healing and Victory Before the Oscars

• Moving Audience Encounters:

  • Mo’Nique recounts a powerful post-screening moment where an audience member identified with her character, emphasizing art’s power to heal:
    • “This Asian brother comes up to me and he has tears in his eyes… he says, 'Monique, what I'm getting ready to say is going to sound weird, but I am Mary Jones... Now go get you some help. We won right there.'” (03:31)

• On Awards and Accomplishments:

  • She measures “winning” not by trophies but by the film’s impact.
    • “We've already won.” (03:31)

Collaborators & Misconceptions

• How Tyler Perry & Oprah Got Involved:

  • Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey joined as producers after seeing the finished film, drawn by its raw power and shared survival stories. Mo’Nique never actually worked directly with Perry.
    • “Once Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry saw the film, the film was already done… then they said, oh, my God, how can we be a part?” (07:04)

• Praise for Director and Cast:

  • Lee Daniels is credited for the film’s vision and emotional intelligence.
    • “The film itself is totally the vision of Lee Daniels, who was just absolutely brilliant. He is the most brilliant director of all time.” (07:25)
  • High praise for Gabby Sidibe and co-stars Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Lenny Kravitz, and Sherri Shepherd for their standout performances.
    • “Gabby Sortebay. She is so amazing. She's breathtaking... her first time acting... Paula Patton was amazing. Lenny Kravitz was amazing. Sherri shepherd was amazing. Just everyone was just amazing.” (09:17)

• Setting the Record Straight on Mariah Carey:

  • Mo’Nique defends Carey, saying media misconceptions of her as a diva are unfair:
    • “This woman is amazing. Brilliant... the on time every day was just on point. Just beautiful... five thumbs up.” (08:24)

Straddling Comedy and Drama

• On Being Typecast:
  • Mo’Nique parted ways with anyone urging her to “stick to one thing.”
    • “For people that have said that in the camp is no longer in the camp.” (09:17)

The Healing Power of “Precious”

• Why Audiences Will Flock to the Film:
  • Despite its emotional intensity, audiences will find catharsis and hope:
    • “Even though [the movie is] emotionally draining... when you got that real good cry out, you then stood up? That's what this movie is... it makes you stand, it makes you not complain, it makes you not judge.” (10:14)

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Memorable Quotes

• “I've always wanted to be an entertainer. I've always wanted to be famous. But exactly what it was gonna be, I didn't know until I told my first joke.” — Mo’Nique (01:03)
• “If today is my last day, I'm gonna have a good time on the ride.” — Mo’Nique (02:30)
• “If one person walks away and thinks differently and either gets themselves some help... that's a great thing, baby.” — Mo’Nique (02:55)
• “We won right there.” — Mo’Nique, on film’s real-world impact (03:31)
• “To me, [‘Precious’] is heartbreaking, but it's heart healing.” — Mo’Nique (04:35)
• “Leave it on the floor. When he says, cut, let it be cut.” — Mo’Nique (quoting her husband) (05:37)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:14 – Mo’Nique on Atlanta’s role in her comedy journey
• 01:42 – Life as a homebody and mom after filming
• 02:05 – Philosophy on hosting and embracing life
• 02:55 – On why she does the work: impact over accolades
• 03:31 – Transformative audience encounter (post-screening)
• 04:35 – Mo’Nique explains the story and meaning of “Precious”
• 05:09 – Channeling personal trauma into her character
• 07:04 – How Oprah and Tyler Perry joined “Precious”
• 08:24 – Defending Mariah Carey’s work ethic and talent
• 09:17 – Shout-out to Gabby Sidibe and ensemble cast
• 10:14 – Why everyone needs to see “Precious”

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Episode Tone and Takeaway

The conversation is candid, warm, and empowering. Mo’Nique comes across authentically confident and fiercely honest, unafraid to discuss her past traumas, personal evolution, and the healing she hopes to inspire with her work. The hosts are supportive and inquisitive, creating a space for genuine storytelling and laughter.

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For listeners hungry for inspiration, healing, and an inside look at one of Hollywood’s boldest voices, this episode is a must-listen.

Transcript

[A]

Get it?

[B]

The Bird Show. Monique, there's so much ground to cover with you here, I don't even know where to start. I guess we can start with Atlanta. Were you living here in Atlanta before the talk show, or did you come here specifically to do the talk show?

[A]

I lived in Atlanta years ago. Yeah. This is really where I got my start in comedy.

[B]

I didn't know that. I thought it was Baltimore.

[A]

Yeah, well, I told, like, my first jokes in Baltimore, but then comedy was really hot in Atlanta, so this is really where I got my chops wet.

[C]

Nice.

[B]

So what clubs on did you used to do your comedy at? And what years are we talking about here?

[A]

It was the comedy act Theater, and then it was Uptown Comedy Corner.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It was on Peachtree.

[B]

Were they nice to you? Cause those first couple of times that you try stand up, I'm sure so hard. Were they nice to you, or did they just come down on you?

[A]

You know what? Knock on wood. I've always had a great time on stage. Like, I've never had that moment of, oh, God, maybe I should rethink this.

[C]

Was comedy something you always knew you wanted to do?

[A]

I've always wanted to be an entertainer. I've always wanted to be famous. But exactly what it was gonna be, I didn't know until I told my first joke. What was your first joke? Mm. Y' all got the people ready?

[B]

It was dirty,

[A]

huh?

[B]

It was dirty, of course.

[C]

Yeah, dirty.

[A]

It was honest.

[C]

Mm.

[B]

What was the subject matter?

[A]

But I just called it honesty.

[B]

And how about Atlanta? Now, I know you were here back in the day, but Atlanta now? Like, where? If you're doing your show at bet, where are you hanging out now? Your favorite places to go?

[A]

You know what? I'm such a homebody, baby. Once I'm done doing the talk show, I bring it home. I got babies 4 years old, right? So the party happens right here with the Wiggles, Blues Clues, Sesame Street. We get down.

[C]

So, Monique, what's been the biggest challenge? Transforming into a talk show host for you?

[A]

The biggest challenge. I don't look at any of it as a challenge because it's a big playground. But when you on the playground, baby, you just play. Now, you might not ride all the rides real good. I'm still trying to balance the seesaw, but I'm still playing.

[B]

You seem to have this kind of attitude that, God, I wish I had it actually. Like, you just don't take it too seriously. Like, if it works, it works. If it doesn't, you're still gonna move on.

[A]

Well, only because I'm a big believer in tomorrow is not promised. So if today is my last day, I'm gonna have a good time on the ride.

[B]

So you don't. You have zero fear of failure?

[A]

Zero fear. And what is failure?

[B]

Well, like, let's say the reviews for Precious came out and they were. You must have been nervous that they were gonna be absolutely terrible.

[A]

Well, let me just tell you how I think about that, okay? I couldn't pay attention to the numbers or the reviews. My hope is that one person will walk away and think differently. And if one person walks away and thinks differently and either gets themselves some help because they have been molested, or they're the moles and they get themselves some help, guess what? That's a great thing, baby.

[C]

Well, and the passion that you have in your voice, I mean, obviously comes through in your character. But have you at any moment thought to begin your Oscar speech?

[A]

You know what? We've already won. We've already won. And I have to tell this story because it was so sweet in the moment. We did a Q and A out in LA for the Directors Guild, and after they did the screening, we were out in the lobby, and after the Q and A, we were talking. So this Asian brother comes up to me and he has tears in his eyes and he says, monique, what I'm getting ready to say is going to sound weird, but I am Mary Jones. And I treated my brother and sister like that. Now we're hugging and we're holding each other really tight and he's sobbing. And I said, congratulations for your honesty. Now go get you some help. We won right there. So, no, I haven't developed any speech because we've already won it.

[B]

So many aren't gonna know who Mary Jones are. This might be the first time they're hearing about Precious. So if you're gonna do like a 30 second review of exactly how the character in the movie. What is that?

[A]

Precious is a movie of illiteracy, sexual molestation, physical abuse, HIV and aids, but it's also a movie of triumph. It is heartbreaking, but it's heart healing. The characters in this film, you either know someone like them or you might be them. So it's a movie that I suggest everyone goes and sees because it's life changing.

[C]

How did you mentally prepare for your character?

[A]

I didn't have to mentally prepare for the character because I knew the character. I was molested as a child, and I was molested by my oldest brother, Gerald. And my brother was that character. He was Mary Jones to me. So when Mr. Daniel said, Action, that's who I became.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

When you had to turn it off, you know, after scene, did it bring back a whole bunch of memories for you from your past?

[A]

No, because before I went to New York to begin filming, my husband and I had a sweet conversation. And he said, mama, leave it on the floor. When he says, cut, let it be cut. And that's what it was.

[B]

It's amazing to me that you could

[C]

just turn it on.

[A]

That's so brilliant, because when he said cut, he would put on some house music, baby. We would dance and eat crab legs and laugh. One old party.

[C]

How did it feel for you when Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey got behind the film?

[A]

You know, I understood it because they both know what it's like to be molested, and they speak about that openly. So I understood it. And we were very appreciative and excited because they are the most powerful black people that we know in this country in the entertainment world. So we all know when Oprah Winfrey puts her name behind anything. Right. Just go ahead and get you a small island wherever you want.

[B]

You know, we've had Tyler on a whole bunch of times on this show, but working with him, like, if you didn't know his name, what makes that guy, who we know as Tyler, so special?

[A]

What makes Tyler Perry so special?

[B]

Yeah, what makes Tyler Tyler when you're working with him?

[A]

Well, actually, I've never worked with Tyler.

[B]

I thought he produced a movie, right?

[A]

No. Let me explain how this went down.

[B]

Okay?

[A]

Once Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry saw the film, the film was already done in the can. Done. Once they saw the film, then they said, oh, my God, how can we be a part? How can we help? So that's how they came onto the film.

[B]

I gotcha. Okay. I had to.

[C]

They saw it at one of the small festivals.

[A]

Right? Right. But the film itself is totally the vision of Lee Daniels, who was just absolutely brilliant. He is the most brilliant director of all time. Did you ever have to pause when taping scenes because it got too emotional? Didn't have to pause. But there was one scene where I had to get myself together when. Actually, two. One when she. When Mary Jones throws the baby, and the other scene is when she throws the little girl and calls her an animal. So it was those things that when he said cut, I had to go grab that baby, grab the mom, and we all had to have a group hug, Right. Oh, Lord. Wait a minute, honey. Let me get myself together. But that Was it?

[C]

Now, I teased earlier about you and your Oscars speech, but another person that's getting a lot of attention for their role and this is Mariah Carey as well. So how was it working with her?

[A]

Amazing. Yeah, amazing. When I tell you I don't know where people get their perceptions from, I really don't. And it's unfortunate that the media is just what it is. This woman is amazing. Brilliant.

[C]

So you think she gets the diva label unfairly?

[A]

Oh, so unfairly.

[C]

Really?

[A]

Well, the on time every day was just on point. Just beautiful. So every experience that I've had with Mariah Carey, five thumbs up.

[B]

Five. Well, everybody, I mean, every critic already is saying, like, Academy Award, Academy award for you and for the movie. So congratulations with it. I mean, what a coup for you. Has anybody in your camp ever said, you know, this is way before you took this role? Has anybody ever said, you know, you probably just want to stick to one thing, you either want to do drama or you want to do comedy, but people aren't going to buy in both roles.

[A]

For people that have said that in the camp is no longer in the camp. And you know what, guys, really quick, I have to say about the young lady who is the star of the film, Gabby Sortebay. She is so amazing. She's breathtaking. Like, there were times that I would be watching her performance as I'm in the scene with her and I would be saying, wow. Like, oh, my God. And it's her first time acting, so just, it's a must see. And just everybody. Paula Patton was amazing. Lenny Kravitz was amazing. Sherri shepherd was amazing. Just everyone was just amazing.

[B]

Is there any fear that, you know, we're in this sort of recession right now and people are kind of bummed out? Do you think that people will stay away from a movie that sort of emotionally drains you when you're in it?

[A]

No, no. People are going to run to this film because even though it's emotionally draining. But have you ever been in a position where you were trying to get over something and when you got that real good cry out, you then stood up? That's what this movie is. You get that real good cry out, but it makes you stand, it makes you not complain, it makes you not judge. It makes you say, I refuse to live the rest of my life locked up inside of myself, and if I do, shame on me.

[B]

Well, Monique, good luck with this and good luck with the movie. I know it's gonna be number one next week. I really do. Everybody is saying such great things about us. So good luck with it, and thanks for hanging out with us.

[A]

Thank y', all, baby, so much. God bless you. You too, Monique.

[B]

Bye.

[A]

Bye. Bye.

[C]

She's awesome.

[B]

So confident. Do you love that kind of confidence?

[C]

Definitely.

[B]

The name of the movie is Precious, and it comes out this weekend.

[C]

Yes. Well, it opened in Atlanta on Friday,

[B]

and then the wide release is this weekend.

[C]

You got it.

[B]

All right. It's Precious, and that is Monique, and she says Mariah Carey is gonna blow you away. It's what everybody is saying. You're on the Burt Show.