Monique Angela Hicks (née Imes, previously Jackson; born December 11, 1967), known professionally as Mo’Nique, is an American comedian and actress. She first gained fame for her role as Nicole “Nikki” Parker in the UPN series The Parkers while making a name as a stand-up comedian hosting a variety of venues, including Showtime at the Apollo. Mo’Nique transitioned to film with roles in such films as Phat Girlz, and Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. In 2002, she with other female comedians earned a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album.
In 2009, she received critical praise for her role as the abusive Mary Lee Johnston in the film Precious and won numerous awards including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She hosted The Mo’Nique Show, a late-night talk show that premiered in 2009 on BET; it was cancelled in 2011. In 2015, she received rave reviews for her performance as Ma Rainey in the HBO biopic Bessie and earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.