Mo’Nique, Countess Vaughn Speak Out Against Unpaid Residuals From ‘The Parkers’
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Back in April, Mo’Nique filed a breach of contract lawsuit against CBS and Paramount Pictures. The 55-year-old stated, “Actors rely on the good faith of Hollywood companies to honor their profit participation agreements. The Parkers was a huge success and continues to be a source of revenue through syndication and streaming channels. To further make my point, the Executive Producers of The Parkers took legal action for the same concerns that I have, and they’ve already settled. Unfortunately, all too often, talent gets kept in the dark. We’re looking forward to shedding some light on the subject!”
Her co-star and onscreen daughter, Countess Vaughn, stood in solidarity with her and together, the women are back again, speaking out against the lack of residuals they believe they’re owed. On Tuesday (Sept. 19), Mo’Nique and her husband, Sidney Hicks, released a video statement on Instagram on the matter following the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“We’re coming to you today to let you know that we’re standing with all the unions that are striking right now and we have a story that we must share, of our own, with the community,” she began. “Countess Vaughn and I did a show called The Parkers. The Parkers has now been on air for 24 years and they’re tryna convince us through our ownership of the show that we made absolutely no money.”
Hicks chimes in, stating, “And it’s baffling being that when you have a conversation with the executive producers and they allude to the fact that the show in its entirety — five years — was made for under $70 million dollars. It went out of production in 2004, but by 2009, we see profit participation statements that show the program made over $700 million dollars — but yet was in a close to a billion, if not a billion dollar deficit.”
The comedian continued, “So, what we’re asking you CBS, is can you please treat these two Black women fairly? When our brother, Dave Chappelle — who ironically had a deal with CBS — said he signed the deal out of desperation and it was a bad deal, they were able to go back and do the right thing and they made that deal fair and they paid Dave Chappelle what he rightfully deserved. What we’re asking you, CBS [is] don’t pay us any more, but don’t pay us any less… So, we’re asking you and when we say community, we mean community as in the ones that’s fighting for equality. Will you stand with us? CBS, will you treat us fairly?”
Hours later, Vaughn released her own video, supporting her onscreen mother. “You know people always trip me out when saying something like, ‘You’re lying. It’s not true.’ Yes, give us our money,” the 45-year-old expressed. “You would be mad if you worked all week and when it’s time to get you your check, they go, ‘Oh, the last other checks that should cover it. We paid you already.’ But did you get me for my services now? Today? All the days that you have played our episodes. Pay that. It’s not fair.”
Neither CBS or Paramount have addressed their claims publicly.
More from VIBE.com
