Yahoo News Netflix sued for racial and gender discrimination by Oscar-winner Mo'Nique
Netflix is being sued by comedian and actress Mo'Nique over accusations of racial and gender discrimination.
The star – who won an Oscar in 2010 for Precious – has accused the streaming company of offering her less than her fellow male or white female comedians for a stand-up special.
According to court documents (via People), Netflix offered a "biased, discriminatory" offer for a November 2017 stand-up special, with a "talent fee" amounting to $500,000.
The lawsuit references comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer and Dave Chapelle, claiming that the former signed a $100 million deal with Netflix that included "part payment for a stand-up special".
It also alleges that Chapelle signed a $60 million deal that included three stand-up specials, while Schumer was offered $11 million for one special initially, though managed to negotiate an increase of $2 million.
"Mo'Nique objected to Netflix's discriminatory pay offer, pointed out how it was discriminatory and asked Netflix to do the right thing by negotiating fair pay with her,” the suit states.
"In response, Netflix did the opposite. It dug its heels in the ground, refused to negotiate fairly and stood behind its discriminatory offer."
It adds: "Netflix's offer to Mo'Nique perpetuates the drastic wage gap forced upon Black women in America's workforce."
Additionally, the suit claims Netflix lacks diversity, alleging that Kevin Spacey was "reportedly allowed" to use the N-word on the set of House of Cards and that former Chief Communications Officer Jonathan Friedland used the N-word as well.
Taking to Instagram, Mo'Nique wrote about the suit: "I had a choice to make: I could accept what I felt was pay discrimination or I could stand up for those who came before me and those who will come after me. I chose to stand up."
LAWSUIT AGAINST NETFLIX!!!! I LOVE US 4 REAL!!
A post shared by Mo'nique (@therealmoworldwide) on Nov 14, 2019 at 10:55am PST
Responding to the suit, Netflix said (via BuzzFeed): "We care deeply about inclusion, equity, and diversity and take any accusations of discrimination very seriously. We believe our opening offer to Mo'Nique was fair – which is why we will be fighting this lawsuit.”
Digital Spy has reached-out to Netflix for further comment.
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