Should An Actor's Behavior Cost Them an Oscar Nom?
Filed under: RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy
There is no denying that Precious has got critics and audiences in a lather, with audiences at Sundance, Cannes, and TIFF lauding the harrowing adaptation of Sapphire's first novel. Mo'Nique's performance as Precious' horrendously abusive mother monster Mary has also gotten folks humming about an Oscar nomination for the comedian, who readily acknowledges the dark places she had to go for this role. She told Eric Kohn in an interview at last year's Sundance that she herself was sexually abused and "The person who molested me was a monster. So I had to go to that person, because I know what it was like for me. [Daniels] said action, and be that monster." And wow, what a monster she became; each scene she was in cut closer to the bone. I covered my eyes in at least one scene and left the screening room slack-jawed.
But Roger Friedman at the Hollywood Reporter writes that Mo'Nique skipped press for the film at Cannes, TIFF, and the New York Film Festival, and that her newest publicist of just two weeks quit. Friedman writes "that Mo'Nique has gotten herself a reputation for demanding money for showing up to promote Precious. It's a first in Oscar history."
There was recently a knockout feature in the October 2009 issue of W featuring her and Precious star Gabourey Sidibe, but otherwise, Mo'Nique has been AWOL. Friedman adds, "The ostensible reason for this absence is that her BET talk show starts next week and she's taping shows. But she's not taping on Saturday or Sunday, so that dog doesn't hunt. And the first show, for Monday, is in the can."
Okay, so she's not promoting the film, which has got even exec producer Oprah and uber-diva Mariah Carey out on the red carpet. To play the devil's advocate, does an actor really need to promote his or her film to earn an Oscar nomination? On the other hand, should anyone be paid to actually promote a film? Wouldn't you think that, no matter his or her chances at a little gold statue, someone in a role that was so personal and painful would want to talk about it? I'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt, that it's just too painful to rehash again and again, but I doubt it.
Plenty of stars demand certain perks to be on the covers of magazines – expensive stylists of their choosing and the like – but we're not (necessarily) talking magazine covers. We're talking about walking down a carpet and watching your own movie at the very least.
What's your take on it? Do you think the rumors are true? And if so, should an actor's behavior such as this affect his or her chances at a well-deserved nomination?
_thumbnail.jpg)
'New Moon' Smashes 'Dark Knight's' Opening Day Record!
Black Friday Movie Deals: Best Buy
Sex and Nudity Don't Draw You to the Movies?
What Makes a Real Vampire?
Robert Downey Jr. Wants to Retire?
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-02-2009 @ 9:17AM
kevin said...
I think that there are acceptable reasons to miss the press... car accidents, illness or death... but if your just skipping it because you don't feel like promoting your film... then whey should the academy's give you the time of day... I mean if you don't even care enough to show up then give the award to someone who actually appreciates it.
for me working away in a job that i never thought i'd do for a career... reading about 'stars' living my dreams but not caring is just a slap in the face.....
BOO
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 9:24AM
juwan808 said...
I definitely think her behavior will effect the Oscar voting process. Skipping the press is one thing. If you've never been abused you will never know the pain and shame attached to it. Having to go back to that place time and again for some stupid questions asked by clueless reporters over and over is reason enough to skip it. But demanding money for an interview is too much, if that's at all true. She will get respect for her performance, but the word is already out there. Oscar nods aren't easy to come by, but obviously she doesn't care enough about it. Does she deserve to be snubbed? Maybe. But it all sounds like self sabotage to me. I'm sure the viewing public will give her an earful and judge her like they do everyone else. Maybe even more, because she's black . That's becoming popular again. YOU LIE!!!
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 9:49AM
Jenni Miller said...
I agree with you in regards to discussing her abuse with countless reporters -- people can say stupid, cruel, or senseless things -- and I have a lot of respect for her to discuss her abuse openly. Especially for a survivor, to take on a role like Mary, is just, wow. I have no words.
However, to demand compensation for showing up to promote her movie -- if this IS true -- is ridiculous.
I am not sure if that should have a bearing on her nominations or not. In my opinion, her performance was stunning and deserves to be acknowledged.
10-02-2009 @ 10:10AM
kevin said...
Ok I'll bite.......
what do yo mean by "Maybe even more, because she's black . That's becoming popular again." ?
10-02-2009 @ 9:28AM
kevin said...
I need to add... promoting your work is a part of the job... you shouldn't need to get paid to show up and view the film you invested your time to make... it has a lot to do with work ethic and understanding your role... Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Angelina, Denzel, Don Cheadle all promote their films because they love their job... They get paid a lot of money to make entertainment....
This type of thing is similar to athletes striking becuase they don't get paid enough... you all make millions to entertain... while the rest of us work for next to no money all day long and weekends to so we can afford small houses and cheap cars... eating fast food because we can't afford to eat out one or two times a week....
This is whats wrong!!!! need anyone say more?
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 9:53AM
Mike said...
They always say the stars aren't paid to act, they're paid to promote the film. In a perfect system, the performances would be judged in a vacuum. But, in reality, this kind of thing does sway those who hand out the awards. I think it's monumentally stupid that someone who has never been taken seriously as an actor would jeopardize this opportunity over dollars and cents. She needs to realize that her asking price will skyrocket if she wins an Oscar and stop worrying about what she's being paid per appearance.
10-02-2009 @ 9:58AM
Bubbameister33 said...
How can you afford to eat fast food if you can't afford to eat out? I agree with the ridiculousness of athletes striking to get paid more but they also deserve the right to fight for it. They did work hard to get where they are. The real people you should be mad at are the beggars on the street who ask countless people for money and get it for doing absolutely nothing. If they ask 50 people for money every hour for 8 hours and get at least 30 people to give them dollars and change that's a lot of money for not working.
10-02-2009 @ 11:39AM
Kevin said...
Your comment shows an utter lack of understanding of the subect matter beyond the mere surface studies so many people like to engage in.
10-02-2009 @ 12:12PM
Bubbameister33 said...
So does the comment I replied to. Need I say more?
10-02-2009 @ 2:10PM
Jaded said...
Actually most stars are compensated for doing press, whether it be in their original contract, or by the distribution company, or by getting a back end cut of the success of the film. Especially all those magazine covers, and interviews.
I have to be honest and maybe it's selfish, but if I was working 5 days a week (probably 12-14 hours per day) on something that the success of was completely dependent an me, I might have to think twice about jetting all over the country working a press junket, and then coming back to work tired, for no compensation. You people forget that the crew working on her show are depending on it to be hit for their livelihood.
Also, considering most of the press is more interested in talking to Mariah Carey and Oprah than they are to Monique, I don't get why they want to slam her for not showing up.
From what I hear Gabby Sideibe is amazing as Precious, but I have yet to see one interview with her. All I see is crap about how Mariah glammed down.
I don't think her lack of pandering to the media should effect her ability it get an Oscar nod. I thought the Oscar's were about turning in the best performance not being the best media whore.
If that's the case give one to Megan Fox and Paris Hilton.
10-02-2009 @ 10:09AM
A.J said...
We do all know that she has been prepping for the debut of 'The Mo'Nique Show' on Monday, right? That's going to be her source of income. What does she get from promoting Precious? Bringing back memories over and over again that she'd rather forget? An oscar nomination? What does she get from 'The Mo'Nique Show'? A pay check.
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 10:56AM
Jay said...
I think if she promotes the film or not, it really shouldn't matter towards an Oscar nomination. The award should go to the most powerful performance on screen, regardless of the actor's lifestyle, off screen preferences, former scandals or anything that could eventually be raised against them. The argument further perpetuates my disappointment of the politics of the Academy Awards. It shouldn't be about how little somebody puts themselves out there for the Academy, or conversley, how much one campaigns for the award. It should be based solely on acting ability.
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 11:12AM
LordPaul said...
I can't belive it took 8 comments before somebody actually made the point that a best actor nod should be for the best actor, not the biggest luvvie or the person with the most interviews.
Strange that this is even being discussed really
10-02-2009 @ 11:04AM
Melissa Silverstein said...
It is my understanding that the promotion of a film is usually built into the actor's contract and they are obligated to do it. I am sure we probably don't know the whole story here and should wait and see what happens as the release approaches.
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 11:22AM
brian said...
Did Kubrick ever promote his films? Full Metal Jacket or The Shining, for instance? And why does an actor have to tell us about playing the character? OVER AND OVER again? Does walking down a red carpet actually get anyone to go see the film? I was too young, but let me ask: Did Robert De Niro explain Travis Bickle?
I can see the director and producer and screenwriter explaining, giving context. But an actor gives a performance - and when they do press, it's a performance about a performance. It's "Nicole Kidman" telling us about her latest role, it's "Hugh Jackman" discussing Wolverine one more time. It may be possible this is all about the Benjamins for Mo'Nique, but if it is, so what? I just need the reviews and the festival attention to tell me whether I should see the film, and I just need the performance in the film to tell me whether she should get the nomination or the Oscar.
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 12:56PM
cablebfg said...
I need FACTS. Too many rumors at this point for me to decide on this particular case.
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 5:24PM
Clarknt67 said...
An Oscar is an award of adoration, given to you by your colleagues. (Remember Sally "You like me! You really like me!" Field?) If you fail to woo the adoration, you're playing the game wrong.
It's not like it's anything truly important she's being denied. And she's being foolish. Capitalizing on a good role, especially if you have a shot at a major award, is the best way to skyrocket your acting fees.
Being a diva is about the worst, unless you're truly a superstar.
Reply
10-02-2009 @ 6:44PM
paul said...
"I'm gonna strangle that goose, whiles I gotta chance."
Reply
10-06-2009 @ 4:50AM
CppThis said...
Well in an ideal world no, of course it shouldn't, but I think we all know the Oscars are extremely political and thus whom the actors and proucers schmooze, and how much money they blow on said schmoozing, has as much to do with who wins as the quality of the film. It is what it is.
Reply
10-04-2009 @ 2:25AM
Michael David said...
There is no defending this behavior. Someone asked "what it gets her" to promote this film, one "she has already done". Yeah, because that's what it's all about nowadays, isn't it? What does this get ME? No one here thinks about the real issue, about the hundreds or thousands of other people that worked on this film. MANY people worked on this film... many! People behind the scenes that put their blood, sweat and tears into this thing who don't have the privilege of going on talk shows to get seen by millions of people. Instead, they have to rely on people like Mo'Nique to promote the film. They are frankly, at her mercy. No one wants to hear from the sound guy, the cinematographer, or even the director (in most cases) they want to hear from the star of the film, and that is Mo'Nique. Gee, lets not expect Mo'Nique to promote this film, because what the heck? It's already done, she's on to bigger and better things.
Not doing the press is *incredibly* self-centered. The people that made the film had many actors to choose from, but they gave the role to Mo'Nique thinking that she would do the press that is necessary to promote the film. Then Mo'Nique acts like a diva and doesn't do the press and she isn't even thinking about the people that put their trust in her. She isn't thinking about all the people that busted their ass making the film who are at her mercy. Press and marketing of a film are key elements that can mean the difference between a blockbuster and a bomb.
There are only a few people who can do the press for this film and if she doesn't do her job, it isn't just a matter of her award, it's about all the other people that worked on the film that desperately want it to be a success so that their careers can get a boost too.
Right, Mo'Nique shouldn't care about a film she's already done. Who cares about the people that put their money up to produce the film, who cares about the other actors who don't have their own show, who cares that this may be their one and only shot at success, who cares about the director who worked his/her guts out making the movie? Mo'Nique has her own show now, she can't be bothered to help others get their chance too. Who cares that demanding money to do the press for the film makes you look like a money grubbing scumbag? Coming off like that to the public can't possibly hurt the ratings for her show, right? I mean, actors don't need to worry about their image, do they? Going on talk shows and entertainment shows won't do anything to increase her popularity and perhaps boost the ratings of her show exponentially. No, of course not. Poor Mo'Nique, we don't want her to relive the terror on Letterman. I wonder what's next, is she going to ask the viewers to shove a dollar in the television when her show is on? Sorry, that's a dollar too much for me.
Reply