Mo’Nique is making headlines once more, this time for directly addressing filmmaker Tyler Perry for what she perceives as hypocrisy regarding the treatment of artists in the entertainment industry. Following Perry's poignant remarks at the funeral of R&B singer Angie Stone, where he criticized the industry for its mistreatment of artists, Mo’Nique took to Instagram on March 18, 2025, to express her grievances and seek accountability.
Perry delivered an impassioned tribute to Angie Stone on March 14, 2025, during her funeral at the Word of Faith Cathedral in Austell, Georgia. His emotional speech involved a strong condemnation of how the music industry had underpaid and overlooked Stone throughout her career. “Y’all got to forgive me because I’m angry at the way she was treated… Where is it? It’s wrong,” Perry said, questioning the absence of compensation owed to Stone for her talent and hard work.
Inspired by these comments, Mo’Nique's open letter accused Perry of a double standard in his treatment of her. Starting her letter with condolences to Stone’s family, she remarked, “Your fight inspired us to write this letter, and that the fight doesn’t end with your passing, as it is only beginning.” Mo’Nique then laid out a series of points reflecting on Perry’s estranged relationship with her.
In her letter, she pointed out Perry's tendency to label her “difficult to work with” despite having never collaborated on a project together. “How can you condemn poor treatment of others when you’ve imposed the same on me? We have audio of you admitting you were wrong,” wrote Mo’Nique, calling out the contradictory nature of Perry’s statements.
Mo’Nique also brought up Perry’s rhetorical question about the missing compensation Angie was owed: “You asked, ‘Where’s the money she’s owed?’ Well, where’s the public apology you promised me in 2016?” The tone of her letter suggested that the “false narrative you fueled blackballed me, costing me tens of millions,” had consequences she is still grappling with.
Furthermore, she highlighted Perry’s presumption that she would promote the film "Precious" without compensation, adding weight to her argument about the hypocrisy in his vocal support for fair treatment against what she experienced. “You mentioned being 'tired' of Black artists not receiving the benefits we deserve. Yet, you asked me to promote "Precious" for free, without a contract or compensation,” she pointedly remarked.
In addition to her critical questions, Mo’Nique referenced Perry’s emphasis on treating “children of God” with kindness and love. “As a man of faith, where is your responsibility to act with love and truth? You assured me of an apology years ago, yet it has never come.”
To further illustrate her claims, Mo’Nique shared a leaked audio recording from a past conversation with Perry, where he expressed his regret over upsetting her yet did not follow through with specific actions. “I just watched your podcast and it really broke my heart and I feel you,” he said in the call. However, the audio also revealed that he did not intend to apologize publicly.
This latest uproar comes amid the backdrop of a social media battleground. While some fans supported her stance, viewing her as justified to voice her truth, others criticized her for bringing up personal grievances so soon after Stone's passing. “Mo, wrong place & wrong time,” one user commented, while another remarked, “Did you think about her children when you wrote this?” Mo’Nique, in her defense, responded, “Should I wait until the moment has passed to speak up for not only my family but also Angie Stone's family? I am speaking up for every sister's family who has been violated by the business.”
The complex dynamics between Mo’Nique and Perry underscore a broader conversation about accountability, fairness, and the treatment of artists within the entertainment industry. As of March 19, 2025, Perry has yet to respond to Mo’Nique's open letter. The emergence of these public grievances not only casts a spotlight on their strained interactions but also invites discourse on the industry's systemic issues affecting artists.
In conclusion, as Mo’Nique waits for a response, the reliance on public platforms to voice long-standing grievances has proven challenging, yet necessary. Will Tyler Perry address her concerns? Only time will tell as both their careers continue to unfold amidst public scrutiny.
