Netflix Fires Back At Comedian Mo'Nique's Lawsuit Over Alleged Racial Discrimination
By Ryan Naumann on January 14, 2020 at 4:55 AM EST
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Netflix is firing back at comedian Mo’Nique’s lawsuit accusing them of discrimination and denying they screwed her over.
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Netflix is moving to dismiss Mo'Nique’s lawsuit accusing them of gender and racial discrimination. She accused them of only offering her $500,000 for a comedy special but paying millions to male and white female comedians.
In newly filed documents, Netflix says, “Plaintiff fails, however, to allege any facts showing that the compensation offered her was the product of discrimination. To the contrary, her Complaint contradicts its core premise by noting that other persons of color, other women, and another African- American woman (like Plaintiff) have been paid substantially more money to create comedy specials for Netflix’s streaming service than what was offered to Plaintiff. And Plaintiff fails to explain why she was entitled to be offered what the stars to whom she compares herself were offered for creating such comedy specials.”
Netflix says the evidence will show the comedian was not discriminated against by them. They are asking the court to dismiss the majority of her claims.
Back in November, Mo'Nique sued Netflix accusing them of gender and racial discrimination.
In her lawsuit, she accuses the Netflix of offering her $500,000 for a comedy special. She said the problem is the steaming giant offered male comedians and white female comedians millions more.
The suit stated, “Despite Mo'Nique’s extensive résumé, when presented with an opportunity to do an exclusive stand-up comedy special for Netflix, she was given a low-ball offer that was only a fraction of what Netflix paid other comedians.”
The lawsuit pointed to Jerry Seinfeld signing a $100 million deal in 2017 for two stand-up specials and an interview show. The suit also highlighted Dave Chapelle being paid $60 million for three comedy specials. Netflix reportedly paid Chris Rock $40 million dollars and Ricky Gervais $40 million for two specials. Mo’Nique said Amy Schumer was first offered $11 million for a special but was able to re-negoitate it up to $13 million.
The suit added, “When the talent was not a Black woman, Netflix offered to pay, and did pay, astronomically more than it pays to Black women like it offered to Mo'Nique.”
Further, “Thus, Netflix reportedly offered or paid Rock, Chapelle, Degeneres, and Gervais forty (40) times more per show than it offered Mo’Nique, and it offered Schumer twenty-six (26) times more per show than Mo’Nique. In short, Netflix’s offer to Mo’Nique perpetuates the drastic wage gap forced upon Black women in America’s workforce.”
She is suing for unspecified damages. The case is ongoing.
