The esteemed comedian and actress, Mo’Nique parents were Alice Imes and Steven Imes Jr. Alice Imes, her mother, was an engineer, while her father, Steven Imes Jr., worked as a drug counselor.
Born on December 11, 1967, Monique Angela Hicks attended Milford Mill High School, graduating with honors in 1985.
Later, she enrolled at Morgan State University, completing her education at the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland in 1987.
Her motivation for comedy was sparked by an invitation from her brother Steve to an open mic night at the Comedy Factory in downtown Baltimore.
After moving to Atlanta, she made her breakthrough role in the UPN-produced television series “The Parkers,” where she portrayed Nicole “Nikki” Parker from 1999 to 2004.
In 2007, Monique released the documentary “I Could Be Your Cellmate!” shedding light on women’s prison issues and guest-starred in the hit television series “Ugly Betty,” playing the role of L’Amanda.
From 2009 to 2011, Monique hosted her self-titled show, “The Mo’Nique Show,” on BET, lasting two seasons with a total of 251 episodes before its cancellation in 2011.
Moreover, she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress, and the BET Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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Mo’Nique Parents: Mother Alice Imes & Father Steven Imes Jr
Mo’Nique born as the youngest daughter of father, Dr. Stevens Imes Jr., and engineer mother, Alice Imes.
Alice Imes (born on May 5, 1940) worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation until her retirement in 1991. Similarly, her father, Steven Imes Jr., was a drug counselor and actor.
Moreover, Alice and Imes made a mark in the entertainment industry with roles in “The Parkers,” “Intimate Portrait,” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Regarding their personal life, Alice and Imes had three other children besides Mo’Nique. Mo’Nique’s sister, Millicent, serves as her personal assistant, while her brother, Steve, works as her manager.
Steve has produced films like “Phat Girlz” and “Hair Show,” both of which starred Mo’Nique. He also created “Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance,” a television pageant for plus-sized women, in 2005.
Similarly, Millicent, Mo’Nique’s younger sister, has been critical of Mo’Nique, especially following their mother’s death in 2018.
After Mo’Nique called for a boycott of Netflix over a pay dispute, Millicent publicly asked her to humble herself.
In contrast, Mo’Nique’s other siblings, Gerald, have a complex relationship with Mo’Nique. She revealed during a 2008 interview with Essence magazine that Gerald sexually abused her from the ages of 7 to 11.
This revelation was further discussed during an Oprah interview in 2010, which strained Mo’Nique’s relationship with Oprah. Gerald admitted his actions on the show, hoping to reconcile with his family.
Mo’Nique Husband And Kids
Mo’Nique, a renowned actress and comedian, had a complex relationship status. Her first marriage was to Shalon Watkins, with whom she had a son, Shalon Watkins Jr.
Later, she married Mark Jackson in 1997, and they had a son named Mark Jackson Jr. However, this marriage also ended in divorce in 2001.
In 2005, Mo’Nique gave birth to twin sons, Jonathan and David, two months prematurely. She then married their father, Sidney Hicks, in 2006, a relationship that continues to this day.
Before marrying Sidney Hicks, Mo’Nique was briefly engaged to Kenny Mung, but they never officially married.
Mo’Nique has been open about the dynamics of her marriage with David Hicks, emphasizing an open relationship based on honesty to navigate the complexities of fidelity, influenced by her past experiences.
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