Do you know my favorite thing about Mo’Nique’s near-inevitable (and strangely controversial) Oscar acceptance?
I
Loved
Her
Walk.
She took that stage like a queen, like she knew she had every right in the WORLD to be there and she was going to own every.single.minute of it. She wasn’t falsely humble. She turned out a great performance, went about her business and when she won the award for which she did not campaign (thus the comment about the performance vs. politics) she walked up in a $400 off-the-rack gown and accepted the accolades she earned. She was emotional, but composed, and in an homage to Hattie McDaniel –the first African American to win an Academy Award– wore a sapphire dress and a gardenia in her hair.
As Kate Harding wrote in Salon:
It was about being there as a credit to her profession, not her race or her gender or her size or the sisterhood of hairy-legged comics in open marriages, or whatever else people want her to represent. It was about unapologetically standing up for herself and her performance in a way Hattie McDaniel never could have. It worked, and she earned it.
I think Mo’Nique’s speech is controversial because to people who don’t know about the “subtle” Oscar campaigning that is de rigeur (people like my parents), it sounded like Mo’Nique was insulting the other nominees. My stepdad, in particular, thought she sounded “extremely ungracious” (direct quote).
Comment by Chicklet — March 10, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Totally. Dignified and queenly summed it up.
You’ve explained where the gardenias came from. I had wondered–they’re a lovely old-fashioned flower, but you don’t see them much anymore, so I was surprised to see them in her hair. I had assumed they were her favourite (they’re a favourite of my Mom).
Comment by Geogrrl — March 10, 2010 @ 5:08 pm
They are difficult to get, generally speaking, unless you grow them yourself, plus they are INCREDIBLY fragrant. I ordered three for a Billie Holiday concert my voice teacher was giving. I would wear two in my hair and give one for him for his boutonniere. Well let me tell you, they are POTENT. I was dizzy about 20 minutes in, and my director had to take his off after the third song.
Comment by Plumcake — March 10, 2010 @ 5:47 pm
She handled herself like a queen. I loved the way she spoke, walked and handled it all! She is truly awesome and looked stunning.
Comment by Sarah — March 10, 2010 @ 7:12 pm
I so agree. No false humility, but no hubris either. No blubbering, no jokes. I hate when women undercut their own accomplishments and she did not. She took herself seriously and thus we took her seriously as well. Big love for Mo’Nique.
Her face is so beautiful. Look at her! I don’t mean in a fat girl “such a pretty face” way either. She just radiates that certain something. And I bet no Botox. Sandra Bullock can barely move her face, kind of sad.
Comment by Abby — March 10, 2010 @ 7:39 pm
you know – hers was my favorite acceptance speech. I didn’t stay up for the last few, but heard most of them. I really like that she took a risk on this role and pushed her own limits – she acknowledged that, her husband, and those who went before. fantastic!
Comment by jeannemarie — March 10, 2010 @ 7:43 pm
I must have something in my eye.
Comment by Smili — March 10, 2010 @ 9:40 pm
I thought she sounded fierce and fabulous. And I loved her hair. The dress, meh. But she worked it.
Comment by Lisa — March 11, 2010 @ 3:51 am
You could feel her emotions through the cam. She was right to be proud of herself. I love her and her self-love.
Comment by All Women Stalker — March 11, 2010 @ 4:05 am
Strong, proud, dignified woman. God love her.
Comment by theDiva — March 11, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
Nothing girlish or coy about her. I wish all women would aspire to her poise and demeanor instead of pointing their toes inward and fluttering their eyelashes.
Comment by wildflower — March 11, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
Although she was wearing some FIERCE eyelashes!
Comment by Plumcake — March 12, 2010 @ 12:56 am
Yes, she is! But that’s part of the awesomeness, isn’t it? The gardenia, the lovely dress, the eyelashes–she’s totally feminine, yet not at all a silly giggling piece of decoration. It’s wonderful!
Comment by wildflower — March 12, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
I loved her walk as well.
I have you-tubed it over and over and OVER.
She really owned her walk, her speech, and her presence.
Wow.
Comment by JeanineMarie — March 12, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
Microsoft Feeds Synchronization has encountered a problem and needs to close… It popped up after i did a repair install.* I think it has to do with IE.* My computer shows that I have ie8 updates installed but IE shows that i am running ie6. How do I fix this.*
Comment by kb978382 — August 17, 2010 @ 9:25 pm