Monique Williams is back in media headlines after she openly stated that film director Lee Daniels told her that she was blackballed from Hollywood following her Oscar win for her lead role in the hit movie ‘Precious’ five years ago. According Williams, Daniels told her that she did not ‘play the game’. What is that you may ask?
When your the lead star of a huge blockbuster movie, you are required to do press, free press that is, to help booster votes and momentum of the film at academy awards. This usually warrants numerous appearances at ‘scheduled events’, mingling with the who’s who [whether your fond of the atmosphere, or the persons in the room].
” When I did the movie for Precious for Mr, Daniels I was paid $50,000 , I’m not complaining about the money because that’s what I signed up for. – Monique”
Monique was categorized as ‘difficult’ to work with. Some of the rumors suggest that Williams husband’s high demands [while on set] may have contributed to that title, and other rumors suggest that Daniels is the one behind Monique’s ‘blackballing’. Williams reportedly declined to attend her schedule appearances for Precious and that did not sit well for the director who is provided her the opportunity to nab an Oscar.; hence the current backlash.
” If you work a job Monday through Friday, and your boss asks you to come in Saturday, should you not get paid? – Monique “
Monique says Daniels offered her a lead role in his hit movie ‘The Butler’ but she’d soon learned that Oprah had been given the role. She went on to say that Daniels also offered the role of ‘Cookie’ in his new fox hit show ‘Empire’ but she was ‘blackballed’.
When I hear Mr. Daniels making those comments, he and I know different. He said he they want to do a screen test with you. I said no problem. okay. Well, maybe four days went by and I hadn’t heard anything. So I’m trying to reach out to him to find out, what time I need to be in, and where I need to be.
When he finally returned the call he says listen, the executives at Fox said you are difficult and I said to them, well let her be my difficulty and not saying, well where did you hear that, and what makes her difficult? And, he’s knowing that he and I never had situation on any projects we’ve done; its actually been a great time.
Monique says she will always stand up for what is wrong, and she’s never willing to put her integrity at risk.
A Tweet, A Tweet, Plum’s!