Oscar-winning actress and comedian Monique Hicks' discrimination lawsuit against Netflix can move forward, according to a U.S. District Court judge. Hicks, who goes by Mo'Nique, claims the streamer discriminated against her on the basis of her race and gender when they offered to pay her $500,000 in 2018 for a comedy special, a fraction of the tens of millions of dollars Netflix paid for specials from other comedians including Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. Mo'Nique further alleges Netflix retaliated against her when she complained about the "discriminatory low-ball offer" by refusing to negotiate fair pay with her.
In his decision, Judge André Birotte Jr wrote, "Mo'Nique plausibly alleges that, after she spoke out and called her initial offer discriminatory, Netflix retaliated against her by shutting down its 'standard practice of negotiating in good faith that typically results in increased monetary compensation....'"
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