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By Anslem Samuel | Published February 23, 2012 | Full size is 620 × 480 pixels

MO’NIQUE When director Lee Daniels phoned Mo’Nique and told her he had a part for her that was “going to mess up your career,” he couldn’t have been more wrong. Following a acting resume that included mostly comedic roles, the comedienne/actress flipped the script in 2009 with a dramatic role in Lee’s Precious. Playing an abusive mother living off government support, Mo’Nique walked away with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. It’s reported that she was paid just $200,000. The following year, she signed two lucrative media deals, one with Radio One for the “Monique in the Afternoon” radio show and a multi-million dollar deal with BET Networks for The Monique Show—it’s reported to be the highest deal the network has ever made. Mo'Nique is rumored to appear next in the big screen adaptation of J. Eric's novel, A Place In Heaven, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

MO’NIQUE

When director Lee Daniels phoned Mo’Nique and told her he had a part for her…

(Image: Getty)