Mo’Nique.Photo: Aaron Poole/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Mo’Niqueis suing CBS Studios, Paramount Pictures and its production partner Big Ticket Television over unpaid royalties from her sitcomThe Parkers.
The breach of contract lawsuit, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that the defendants artificially depressed the show’s profitability to “retain millions that would otherwise be contractually due” to the 55-year-old’s production company Hicks Media, which she co-owns with her husband and business partnerSidney Hicks.
The comedian and actress (née Monique Hicks) starred as Nicole ‘Nikki’ Parker in the series, which ran for five seasons from 1999-2004.The Parkerswas a spin-off ofMoesha, which starredBrandyas the title character and ran for six seasons.
“Given the success of [The Parkers], which ceased production after 110 episodes (placing it above the lucrative 100-episode threshold traditionally necessary for a television show to be syndicated), as well as the contractual limitations placed on how the series' AGR must be calculated, Plaintiff reasonably expected to enjoy significant contingent compensation from the Series' revenues,” it continues. “That expectation has not proven to be the reality.”
The Parkers.CBS via Getty Images
PEOPLE reached out to representatives for Mo’Nique, CBS Television Studios, Paramount Pictures and Big Ticket Productions for comment.
“Plaintiff is further informed and believes and thereupon alleges that the Series' writers and creators performed a forensic audit that this forensic audit of the Series' books and records strongly suggested that Defendants have inequitably structured the Series' finances to artificially depress its profitability and retain millions that would otherwise be contractually due and owing to Plaintiff,” the filing says.
The Parkershas been streaming onNetflixsince 2020.
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In June 2022, Mo’Niquereached a settlementwith the streaming service in her racial and gender discrimination lawsuit.
The deal came more than two years after shesued Netflix, accusing the company of offering her less money for a stand-up special than her fellow male or white female comedians.
Final details of the settlement, including dollar amounts, were not disclosed.
source: people.com
