Comedian Mo’Nique, whose full name is Monique Angela Hicks, has recently expressed her discontent regarding Tyler Perry’s tribute to the late artist Angie Stone. This tribute occurred during Stone’s Celebration of Life Service on March 14, 2025, where Perry addressed the industry’s mistreatment of the beloved singer.
Following Perry’s speech, Mo’Nique took to Instagram to highlight what she perceives as “unsettling discrepancies”within his remarks, which she deems hypocritical. During an interview with Red Grant for YouTube, published on March 24, 2025, she elaborated on her position, stating:
“Angie Stone was a warrior. Angie Stone was a fighter baby. And to watch that man up there be hypocritical over top of my sister? No sir, you cannot do that.”
Moreover, Mo’Nique criticized Perry, characterizing him as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”She suggested that whenever he performs charitable deeds, he ensures that they are widely publicized, indicating a need for validation.
As her interview gained traction online, reactions from social media users varied significantly. One comment encapsulated a common sentiment:
“Isn’t she exhausted yet… at some point, you have to move on and let the universe do its part.”
While some defended Mo’Nique, asserting her right to voice her grievances, others advised her to let bygones be bygones.
Conversely, numerous users expressed support for Perry, suggesting that Mo’Nique’s timing for her critique was inappropriate.
“Shouldn’t you be held accountable too?”— Mo’Nique challenges Tyler Perry over his critique of Angie Stone
Angie Stone tragically passed away on March 1, 2025, in a car accident near Montgomery, Alabama, while traveling with her band. To celebrate her life and career, a tribute service was held on March 14, 2025, in Austell, Georgia, followed by her funeral the next day in Columbia, South Carolina.
During the service, Perry praised Stone’s extensive contributions to music, voicing that she never received adequate recognition. As detailed by WIS 10, Perry remarked:
“All of those years, all of those songs, all of that money that was due to her, where is it?”
He criticized music promoters and record labels for their failure to adequately compensate the artist and called on younger musicians to remember those who laid the groundwork for their careers:
“Women like Angie Stone who’ve been in the business all these years, you’re gonna forget about what she did? All of the people that she put on and helped? See, you got to go through something to write a song like ’20 Dollars.”
On March 18, 2025, Mo’Nique shared an open letter on Instagram addressed to Perry, beginning with condolences to Angie Stone’s family. She then explained how Stone’s battle resonated with her and her husband, motivating her to write the letter.
In her letter, Mo’Nique noted the “unsettling discrepancies”she observed between Perry’s words of condemnation regarding Angie’s mistreatment and his treatment of her. She implied hypocrisy on his part due to his history of calling her “difficult to work with”without ever collaborating with her.
She urged him to publicly apologize for the damage caused by the “false narrative”that allegedly contributed to her being “blackballed”from the industry, costing her significant financial opportunities. Furthermore, Mo’Nique highlighted Perry’s double standards, referencing his request for her to promote the film Precious (2009) without compensation, despite him being the executive producer:
“Unlike the music industry, which you rightly criticized, we have audio documentation of your actions. Shouldn’t you be held accountable too?”
Concluding her letter, she urged Perry to rectify his past missteps and expressed her anticipation of his response.
The tension between Mo’Nique and Tyler Perry initially surfaced during the promotional period for Precious. Reports indicate that Perry requested her participation in promotional interviews and events, to which she agreed. However, complications arose when she refused to attend the Cannes Film Festival, citing that it was not part of her contract and would be unpaid.
Mo’Nique articulated her concerns to The Hollywood Reporter, asserting her lack of obligation to attend events beyond what was originally agreed upon. She believes that her career has suffered due to this ongoing feud, as Perry has reportedly declined to issue an apology publicly.
As of now, Tyler Perry has not publicly responded to Mo’Nique’s open letter.