Mo’Nique sues Netflix for race and gender discrimination: 'I chose to stand up'

Mo’Nique has sued Netflix for race and gender discrimination nearly two years after calling for a boycott against the streaming giant for allegedly lowballing her.

In a lawsuit filed against Netflix in Los Angeles Superior Court Thursday, the Oscar award-winning comedian claims the company offered her significantly less money for a comedy special in comparison to her fellow male and white comedians.

"Despite Mo’Nique’s extensive résumé and documented history of comedic success, when Netflix presented her with an offer of employment for an exclusive stand-up comedy special, Netflix made a lowball offer that was only a fraction of what Netflix paid other (non-Black female) comedians," the lawsuit says, citing multi-million dollar offers for talent including Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer and Ricky Gervais.

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In 2018, Netflix offered Mo’Nique $500,000 for a comedy special and refused to negotiate further, the lawsuit said, adding, that the streamer "offered Schumer 26 times more per show than Mo’Nique."

On Thursday, the 51-year-old comedian confirmed the lawsuit on Instagram, writing, "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. I chose to stand up."

The suit further claims Netflix has a corporate culture that tolerates racial insensitivity and impropriety, lacks diversity and underpays women and minorities. It cites the revelation last year that actor Matt Smith was paid more for his supporting role on Netflix’s “The Crown” than actress Claire Foy was paid to play the title role.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Netflix said they take accusations of discrimination very seriously and will fight Mo’Nique's lawsuit, describing their opening offer as fair.

In 2018, while calling for a boycott on Instagram, Mo’Nique questioned why Netflix was willing to negotiate with Schumer, but not her. "Amy Schumer was offered $11 million; Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, $20 million. Then Amy Schumer went back and renegotiated 2 more million dollars because she said, 'I shouldn’t get what the men are getting; they're legends. However, I should get more,' and Netflix agreed."

Mo'Nique, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress in 2010 for her role in the film "Precious," added: "Why shouldn’t I get what the legends are getting?"

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mo’Nique sues Netflix for race and gender discrimination