THE FACTS
In a recent interview with the Associated Press Mo’Nique answers the question about her alleged refusal to promote the film Precious for free directly.

THE SPIN
For the longest time Mo’Nique dodged the question of whether or not she really did refuse to promote Precious on the film circuit without compensation. And now finally, she answers the question for the AP.

AP: There’s been a lot of talk about you not showing up early on to promote “Precious” because you were worried about money.

Mo’Nique: Well, when they say Mo’Nique was worried about money, I wasn’t worried about money. Mo’Nique has a talk show that comes on five nights a week and she tapes six times a week for that talk show. And yes, when I leave my home, I leave my home and get paid to leave my home, so I wasn’t worried about money. They simply said, “You know, well Mo’Nique we can’t pay you to do that.” … We said, “OK, baby. Well, then, that’s not something we can do.” Because, when I leave out, why ever would I go do something for free when I can go and do something and bring money back home to my family?

Some people might find this line of thinking short sighted. Others may argue that it’s all about the bottom line and in the end, Mo’Nique may likely get her Oscar and she didn’t hurt the promotion of the film.

As far as said film goes, Mo’Nique also touched on how her role as Mary Jones has led to others confiding in her about their similar transgressions.

AP: Has anyone, after watching the movie, come up to you and opened up about the past?

Mo’Nique: It’s been quite a few. But one, it was this Asian brother at the DGA (Directors Guild of America) screening, and he came up to me and he had been crying, and he said, “Mo’Nique, what I’m getting ready to say to you is gonna sound weird. But I am Mary Jones, and I was Mary Jones to my brother and my sister.” And we hugged and we were crying, and I said, “Congratulations for saying it out loud, and go get you some help.”

AP: How does that make you feel?

Mo’Nique: When you hear that you say, “We’ve already won.” So when people say, “Mo’Nique, are you excited about the Oscars and are you excited about the (NAACP) Image awards, are you excited?” I’m excited anytime somebody wants to say, “You know what, we appreciate what you did.” But when you get that, that’s priceless.

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YOUR SPIN: What do you think about Mo’Nique’s new attitude? Tell us here.

Image courtesy of concretemusic.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

THE FACTS
The rapper reportedly threw a tantrum over being bumped from first class.

THE SPIN
According to the New York Post’s Page Six Kanye cut up at LAX this week.

They report:

Kanye West is a finicky flier. A source said the rapper threw a fit at LAX Monday night on his way back to New York from the Grammys after he and his assistant were seated in business class instead of first.
“He wanted to be bumped up,” says our witness. West and his aide were eventually moved to the better seats. A rep for Kanye — who garnered widespread condemnation over his onstage outburst at last year’s MTV awards as Taylor Swift accepted her award — didn’t get back to us.

You know what at this point people need to leave the man alone. He’s rich and wants to fly first class. I don’t blame him. Don’t you get free alcohol in first class? I wouldn’t know because I sit in coach for now and I bring a flask. Well, not really but I might look into it now that I’ve written it.

Seriously, though, it looks like some members of the press are obsessed with blowing every ‘Ye related event out of proportion in order to make him look like a monster.

Maybe he simply wanted to be sat in the section he paid for?

I get pissed off when I order a wing and I open the bag and find a greasy thigh. I feel Kanye’s pain in my own special way. Don’t you?

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YOUR SPIN: Do you think Kanye has lost his mind or the media is being too hard on him?  Tell us here.

Image courtesy of ggpht.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

THE FACTS:
The nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards have been announced!

THE SPIN:
The film Precious, its stars and director have landed major Oscar nods this year.  It’s good to see Black work being recognized.  Check out the list below:

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
George Clooney in “Up in the Air”
Colin Firth in “A Single Man”
Morgan Freeman in “Invictus”
Jeremy Renner in “The Hurt Locker”

Actor in a Supporting Role
Matt Damon in “Invictus”
Woody Harrelson in “The Messenger”
Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station”
Stanley Tucci in “The Lovely Bones”
Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

Actress in a Leading Role
Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”
Helen Mirren in “The Last Station”
Carey Mulligan in “An Education”
Gabourey Sidibe in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia”

Actress in a Supporting Role
Penélope Cruz in “Nine”
Vera Farmiga in “Up in the Air”
Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart”
Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air”
Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

Animated Feature Film
“Coraline” Henry Selick
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” Wes Anderson
“The Princess and the Frog” John Musker and Ron Clements
“The Secret of Kells” Tomm Moore
“Up” Pete Docter

Directing
“Avatar” James Cameron
“The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow
“Inglourious Basterds” Quentin Tarantino
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels
“Up in the Air” Jason Reitman

Film Editing
“Avatar” Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
“District 9” Julian Clarke
“The Hurt Locker” Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
“Inglourious Basterds” Sally Menke
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Joe Klotz

Best Picture
“Avatar” James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers
“The Blind Side” Nominees to be determined
“District 9” Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers
“An Education” Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers
“The Hurt Locker” Nominees to be determined
“Inglourious Basterds” Lawrence Bender, Producer
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness,

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“District 9” Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
“An Education” Screenplay by Nick Hornby
“In the Loop” Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
“Up in the Air” Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

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YOUR SPIN: Now that it’s been nominated, do you think Precious will win big?  Tell us here.

Image courtesy of kanyeuniversity.com

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)