• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Build Your Legacy
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Black Women in Hollywood
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Build Your Legacy
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • Black Women in Hollywood
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · News

A Look at Mo'Nique's Marvelous Weight Loss Journey

Since she stepped on the scene, comedienne and Academy award-winning actress Mo'Nique has had a larger than life personality. While her weight was always a topic of discussion, the star has always remained true to herself no matter what. Having recently dropped 100 pounds--a feat she well documents on Instagram--Mo'nique is focused on being happy, healthy and looking better than ever. See her incredible weight loss journey over the years!

By Lauren Porter · June 22, 2016October 27, 2020
01
2000

Mo’Nique’s career took off in 1999 when the hit show The Parkers debuted. Since then, she’s been commanding the scene with her wit, charm and sass.

Ron Galella/WireImage
02
2001

In 2001, the actress began to expand her film credits by starring in Two Can Play That Game alongside Vivica A. Fox, Gabrielle Union, Tamala Jones and Wendy Raquel Robinson. She also appeared in the cult classic movie, Baby Boy with Tyrese and Empire‘s Taraji P. Henson. 

Ron Galella/WireImage
03
2002

In 2006, the star told ESSENCE, “I’m just not buying into what’s being sold. I believe that I’m a sex symbol, a movie star and an author. There’s no special formula—I just simply believe that I am.”

Ron Galella/WireImage
04
2003

“If you’re not at ease with your body, then you need to stand in the mirror every day and look at yourself butt-naked and say, ‘I’m worthy,'” says the actress on advice about loving the skin you’re in. “Look at your rolls, grab them, love’em.”

L. Cohen/WireImage
05
2004

Mo’Nique debuted a new fitness and lifestyle routine in 2004. “I didn’t want to become a burden because of my weight and the problems that could come as a result of it.” She meets with a trainer five days a week, does cardio exercises, and lifts weights for extra toning and definition.

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage for BET Network
06
2005

The comedienne credits her strong sense of self-esteem to her father who often told her she was the most beautiful girl in the world, which is something she believed wholeheartedly.

 

L. Cohen/WireImage for Oxygen Media
07
2006

“I’ve never said, ‘Don’t be healthy,'” the star told ESSENCE in 2006. “But if you’re 375 pounds with high blood pressure and diabetes, should you hate yourself? No. If you turn on the TV late at night, every other commercial is about weight loss. How do you think it makes us feel to hear a size-invisible woman with blond hair down her back say that we can look like her if we take this pill? That’s poison. I say love you, and give yourself 30 minutes a day to exercise and get healthy.”

 

Todd Williamson/FilmMagic
08
2007

Mo’Nique has never been afraid to flaunt her big, sexy stardom. In 2007, while hosting the BET Awards, the star stunned everyone recreating Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” video choreoography on stage not afraid to show off her moves!

Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network
09
2009

“We should all want to live healthy lives because we don’t want to be in a position where there are things we can’t do and places we can’t go,” Mo’Nique told ESSENCE in 2008 of her healthy lifestyle. 

Johnny Nunez/WireImage
10
2010

In 2010, Mo’Nique killed Red Carpet season looking goregous everywhere she went.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images
11
2012

“I say to those people who are desperately trying to get healthy, in those moments where you feel like you can’t go any further, you can,” the actress said.

Jim Spellman/WireImage
12
2016

In 2014, the actress credited her husband and children for helping her shed all the weight she’s lost. “It truly lets you know what you’re made of,” said Mo’Nique. “People always say ‘Mo’Nique, what motivates you?’ I had to do it for my husband and my children,” she explained. “And I have to get out of my own way.”

 

Paras Griffin/WireImage
13
2016

“Dear Derriere, I’ve always loved the way you curve into a robust roundness, how you move when I move,” the actress said of her favorite body part.

Instagram

Read More

Entertainment
#ThrowbackThursday: Shows From The '90s To Add To Your Cue
Entertainment
STARZ Releases Official Trailer For Leigh Davenport's 'Run T...
Celebrity
Diddy Pens Letter To Corporate America Demanding Change
Entertainment
Iyanla Vanzant Says Black Women Are Still Out Of Order
Entrepreneurship
With A Boost From Serena Williams, This Bodywear Brand Helpe...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now