LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Oscar-winning actress Mo'Nique on Thursday (Nov 14) filed a pay discrimination lawsuit against Netflix, alleging the streaming giant offered her less money than it did to white and male performers because she is a black woman.
Mo'Nique, also a singer and comedian, said in the lawsuit that a proposed US$500,000 (S$680,000) fee from Netflix in 2018 to make a stand-up comedy special was a "discriminatory low-ball offer".
"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," she said in an Instagram post.
"I chose to stand up."
Netflix strongly denied the allegation.
"We care deeply about inclusion, equity and diversity, and take any accusations of discrimination very seriously," a spokesman said.
"We believe our opening offer to Mo'Nique was fair – which is why we will be fighting this lawsuit."
Mo'Nique, 51, won the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of an abusive mother in 2009's Precious.
That same year, she began hosting her ownRead More – Source
