Monique - Top 10 Reasons to Love Her

As a full-figured woman, the minute that I saw Monique, I fell in love. I fell in love with a very funny, engaging, big beautiful woman that I knew right away was a star. Last month, when she graciously accepted her first Golden Globe Award for Supporting Actress for her role in the movie Precious, I couldn't have been more proud. You see growing up in America as a teen-ager who had a good amount of meat on her bones; I didn't see anyone on TV or in magazines that looked like me. There were no Jennifer Hudsons, no Queen Latifahs or Moniques. Growing up there were no actresses in movies or on award shows for that matter that were big and brown. There were a few African-American models, but they certainly didn't have any curves. I mean one of my thighs weighed more than their entire body. But then came Monique, and she wasn't skinny or quiet and hey that was just like me

I remember watching an interview with Monique on Black Entertainment Television. In it, she said that she quit her job to go into stand-up comedy. Her boss wished her well and told her she shouldn't be working there anyway because she was meant for bigger and better things. I cannot imagine what the entertainment business would be like if Monique had never pursued her goal of becoming a stand-up comedienne. I am sure Monique can't imagine either. Monique has truly earned her one name status, which is only allowed by the greats.

Being one of those greats, naturally Monique deserves a top 10 list for the reasons to love her. Here we go:

Number 10 - Her Energy

When you hear Monique's voice, you know who is talking. Her voice has become one of the most recognizable ever and whether she is saying "Hey" or "Come On Baby," Monique does it in a style that is all her own. When she appeared on Oprah last year, she made the audience love her because she has that enormous personality and is full of positive energy. You can't help but catch her enthusiasm.

Number 9 - Phat Girlz

This is a really good movie that stars Monique as a Big Beautiful Woman who wants to meet the man of her dreams. When she does, she can't believe that such a sweet and handsome Dr. would want to be with her. This movie shows Monique being her fun-loving self and also kills the myth that you can't be big and sexy. Monique makes everybody want to get a bucket of fried chicken and just be thick and luscious.

Number 8 - The Queens of Comedy

Not everybody can make it as a stand-up comic, but Monique not only started her career that way, but she made a name for herself in that genre. On this infamous DVD, Monique along with fellow comics Laura Hayes, Adele Givens and Sommore show that the ladies can make you laugh just as much as the men if not more. The content is only for adults and a little raunchy so try not to watch on a Sunday.

Number 7 - Host of Its Showtime at the Apollo

The only other person that could have followed Steve Harvey as the Host of Its Showtime at the Apollo is Monique. Always funny and endearing, she provided entertainment to the audience and inspiration to the contestants on the show. Her outfits were also colorful and showed that big girls can be stylish and glamorous too.

Number 6 - Monique's F.A.T. Chance

Where else would you find BBW competing in a beauty pageant? Monique gave plus-sized beauties the opportunity to feel Fabulous And Thick (F.A.T,). The show aired on the Oxygen network for three seasons and made the world realize that big woman can be beautiful and sexy beauty queens.

Number 5 - Her BBW Status

Monique has never pretended to be anyone or anything else besides the wonderful BBW that she is. She has always embraced her curves and loved every inch of herself. With shows like Monique's F.A.T. she has encouraged America to love big woman and to recognize their beauty and accomplishments. As of late, Monique has dropped weight to live a healthier lifestyle but she still loves her curves and still lets everyone know that you can be curvy and healthy because not everyone can be the same size.

Number 4 - The Monique Show

If I want to go to bed with a smile on my face, all I have to do is turn to BET at 11:00p.m any weeknight and watch one of the most entertaining hours of television. Monique's late night talk show is educational, informative and just downright funny. Monique and her sidekick are hilarious together and the band is funky. You can tell that Monique really cares about her guests and is often most times a fan herself. The Monique Show will make you laugh, cry or get a pen and paper because you better believe that Monique is going to ask the guests what advice they have for someone trying to make it or how they got their start.

Number 3 - The Parkers

This show aired on the UPN network from August 30, 1999-May 10, 2004. It was a spin-off of the popular comedy Moesha starring Brandy. Monique played the loud and boisterous Nikki Parker, mother of Kim Parker played by Countess Vaughn. Nikki and Kim both went to Santa Monica College and were always up to something. Monique will always be remembered for the way she chased after her boo Stanley Oglevee (Dorien Wilson). Nikki got her man in the end when she was about to marry someone else and her boo stepped in and declared his love. .

Number 2 - 2004 BET Awards Performance

Monique's performance at the 2004 BET Awards is one that made all the big girls proud. Beyonce even stood up out of her seat as Monique performed a rendition of Crazy In Love. Monique had the outfits, the big girls, the long flowing hair, the heels and the dance moves in what is arguably the best opening ever in BET Awards history. I mean those big girls were moving it and Monique went on the host the entire show. They were amazing and she put all the skinny video girls on blast and let them know that the big girls could do whatever they could do. It was an awesome moment.

Number 1 - Supporting Actress Role in the Movie Precious

There are just some roles that define an actor or actress and Monique's role is Precious is just that kind of role. Monique played Mary Jones, the dysfunctional mother of Precious played by Gabourey Sidibe. Monique really scared me in this role because she was so convincing as the vile, disgusting and abusive character whose daughter who was a victim of incest. Monique dug very deep to play this role and is reaping the rewards. She has been nominated for an Academy Award (airing on ABC this Sunday at 8pmEST/5pmPST) has won countless other awards this year including the Golden Globe and the Screen Actors Guild for Best Supporting Actress in a movie role. Monique has had a fabulous career and her star just keeps getting bigger and brighter. It's not hard to love someone who loves herself so much. Monique makes it so very easy.

Sources:

http://www.1monique.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo%27Nique

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279353/

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