Mo'Nique, American comedian, actress, and producer
Monique Angela Hicks (née Imes; born December 11, 1967), known professionally as Mo'Nique, is an American comedian and actress. She first gained recognition for her work in stand-up comedy, debuting as a member of The Queens of Comedy. In 2002, she received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album.
Mo'Nique began her transition into mainstream film and television having a starring role as Nicole "Nikki" Parker in the UPN series The Parkers from 1999 to 2004, as well as having roles in films such as Phat Girlz in 2006 and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins in 2008. In 2009, she garnered critical acclaim for her performance in the film Precious, for which she won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the fourth African American woman to win the award.
Mo'Nique has since hosted The Mo'Nique Show from 2009 to 2011, and starred as Ma Rainey in the HBO biopic Bessie in 2015, for which she earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.