Mo’Nique Returns; Lands Role Alongside Queen Latifah in ‘Bessie Smith’ Film

Comedian/actress Mo’Nique is back! After her late night talk show, “The Mo’Nique Show” on BET, went off the air, the comedian took a break from the business and focused on raising her kids. Well, Monique is ready to put her talents back to work. Reportedly, she will star alongside Queen Latifah and Khandi Alexander (“Scandal”) in the HBO movie about blues singer Bessie Smith.

According to Deadline.com, the movie is written and directed by Dee Rees, the filmmaker behind the Sundance- and Indie Spirit Award-winning Pariah. The untitled film chronicles how Smith overcame her tempestuous personal life to become one of the most acclaimed performing and recording artists of the 1920s and ’30s, earning the nickname Empress of the Blues. The project, produced by HBO Films in association with Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere’s Flavor Unit Entertainment and Lili and Richard Zanuck’s the Zanuck Company, is based on the life story of Smith and the biography Bessie written by Chris Albertson. The Oscar-winning duo of Lili Fini Zanuck and Richard Zanuck executive produce with Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel, while Hallie Foote serves as co-executive producer and Ron Schmidt as producer.

This will be the third  known film project Mo’Nique has signed on with so far in 2014.  She also landed roles in indie films, “We Are Family” and “Blackbird”.

Mo’Nique’s role in “Precious” earned her and Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.  Many Hollywood insiders criticized her for her lack of humility and being “difficult” to work with before and after winning the Oscar.