Mo'Nique: 'I became monster for 'Precious'

Rex Features

Mo'Nique has revealed that she had a deep understanding of her role in the film Precious.

The comedian and talkshow host, who plays an abusive mother in the Lee Daniels-directed Harlem drama, has disclosed that as a child she was molested, and from that experience brought to life the character of Mary.

The actress told People: "Coming from being molested as a child, when director Lee Daniels said, 'I need you to be this monster', well, I knew who that monster was."

As for receiving a possible Oscar nomination for her role, she added: "Any buzz, I'm appreciative of."

Precious, based on Sapphire's novel Push, is currently playing in limited release in the US and arrives in UK cinemas on January 29, 2010.