Mo'Nique Quotes

Powerful Mo'Nique for Daily Growth

About Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique (Monique Hicks), born on December 11, 1967, in Baltimore, Maryland, is an American actress, comedian, and singer who has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry with her bold, honest, and unapologetic personality. Raised by her grandmother in a housing project, Mo'Nique developed a love for comedy at an early age, often entertaining her fellow residents. After graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. Her big break came when she was discovered by Queen Latifah and became a regular on the UPN/BET comedy showcase "Queens of Comedy" in 2002. The success of this show led to Mo'Nique's first major film role as Mary Johnston in the critically acclaimed Precious (2009), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first African-American woman to win an Oscar for acting since Whoopi Goldberg in 1985. Mo'Nique's career has been characterized by her ability to portray strong, complex characters that challenge societal norms. Her influential quotes often reflect her unwavering belief in herself and her convictions. Some of her notable quotes include: "I'm not afraid to be me," "When you walk into a room and you cause people to feel something, that's powerful," and "You can't always get what you want, but you get what you need." Despite her success, Mo'Nique has faced challenges in her career, notably a public dispute with Netflix over pay disparity. Despite these obstacles, she remains a powerful voice in Hollywood and continues to inspire audiences with her raw talent, unapologetic spirit, and undeniable charm.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I may not be perfect, but I'm perfectly me."

This quote emphasizes self-acceptance and authenticity. It means that while one may have imperfections or flaws, what truly matters is being comfortable with who they are - their unique traits, characteristics, and experiences make up the essence of their identity. By embracing oneself fully, an individual can lead a fulfilling life and share their unique perspective with the world. This quote encourages people to love themselves as they are, rather than striving for perfection according to external standards.


"Everybody wants to win for themselves. Few people are willing to lose for each other."

Mo'Nique's quote emphasizes the predominant focus on personal gains in many situations, rather than collective sacrifice or support for others. It suggests that while many individuals strive towards winning or success, they often neglect the importance of collaboration, empathy, and mutual loss for the greater good. This quote serves as a reminder about the power of solidarity and the value of selflessness in achieving shared goals.


"When you know better, you do better."

This quote emphasizes the importance of knowledge in driving positive actions and personal growth. The phrase "when you know better" signifies gaining new insights or understanding about a situation, oneself, or the world around us. "Doing better" then implies applying that knowledge to make improvements, take more responsible actions, and ultimately lead a more enlightened and compassionate life. This quote encourages us to continuously learn and grow in order to live a better, more conscious life.


"I believe that every woman is born with the tools to succeed, yet society has a way of making us forget."

This quote by Mo'Nique highlights the concept that every woman inherently possesses the abilities necessary for success; however, societal influences often work towards suppressing or diminishing these innate talents in women. It suggests a need to remember and embrace one's potential, overcoming any obstacles or limitations imposed by societal norms.


"Sometimes God sends the storms so you can see who has been building on sand and who has been building on the rock."

This quote suggests that life, represented as a "storm" here, serves as a test to distinguish between people who have built their lives (values, relationships, actions) on solid foundations (the rock, representing strong principles, integrity, and resilience) and those who have built on less stable ground (sand, symbolizing unstable values, weak character traits, or superficial connections). In other words, hardships and trials reveal the strength of our character and the stability of the foundations we've built in life.


I respect everyone, from the homeless brother and sister on the street to the executive that sits in the highest office named President Barack Obama. I respect everyone - but we over-respect no one.

- Mo'Nique

Brother And Sister, Named, Homeless

I'm gonna play this game the way I want to. It might be serious, it might be a comedy, it might be a dramedy, it might be variety, it might be a talk show, whatever. There's no box.

- Mo'Nique

Game, Play, Gonna, Talk Show

Sisters, if you got a good man, honor him.

- Mo'Nique

Man, Honor, Sisters, A Good Man

I come from a blue-collar town - and being from that place, you learn not to let anybody take advantage of you. You don't let people mistreat you. You stand up for what's right.

- Mo'Nique

Learn, Town, Mistreat, Blue-Collar

I really don't know what happened in reference to 'The Butler.' Mr. Daniels and I had a conversation. I had the script, the email that goes along with it in reference to the character, read the script, loved it. Then I never heard from Mr. Daniels again, and the next I saw was that Oprah Winfrey is now playing the part.

- Mo'Nique

Next, Part, Oprah, Butler

I don't think that anyone should be in control of a relationship. I think that if you have a woman that controls her man, he is a puppet, and he is weak.

- Mo'Nique

Woman, Think, I Think, Puppet

Do you know I keep a picture of Hattie McDaniel in my closet in an 8-by-10 frame?

- Mo'Nique

Know, Keep, Do You Know, Frame

I want women to see, especially us big women, that you don't have to let them cut you and suck it out. You don't have to let them staple you up. You don't have to let them give you a pill. You don't have to let them put a band around your organs. If you just put the work in, baby, I promise you, it comes off.

- Mo'Nique

Big, Cut, Staple, Suck

Stand-up keeps you on your toes because it's instant. With TV and movies, you have to wait for the numbers to come in to see what happened at the box office. With stand-up, it's right there, that night, in your face.

- Mo'Nique

Night, Wait, TV, Box Office

I say to those people who are desperately trying to get healthy, in those moments where you feel like you can't go any further, you can.

- Mo'Nique

Go, Feel, Like, Further

How did the Oscar change my life? What it did was that it gave me a new reality. And it let me know that an award wasn't going to change my life - that I had to be in control of changing my life.

- Mo'Nique

My Life, New, Oscar, Award

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