PR.com (Allison Kugel): I just saw Precious, and besides your performance being brilliant, yours was one of the bravest performances I’ve ever seen on film. Where did you go within yourself to connect with this character?

Mo’Nique: I knew [the character] Mary Jones. I’ve spoken publically about this, but being molested by my oldest brother Gerald, I was very aware of who this character was. We wanted to make her very honest. We didn’t want to sugarcoat her. So when Mr. Daniels (Lee Daniels, the director of “Precious”) said, “Action,” that’s where I would go to.

PR.com: In order to portray Mary the way you did, you would have to feel safe. What did director Lee Daniels do to make you and the rest of the cast feel safe enough to be able tackle such tough material?

Mo’Nique: It is such a trust, and a love, and no rehearsals. You don’t rehearse with Mr. Daniels. He comes and tells you what it is that he wants, he says, “Action,” and you go.

PR.com: Were there moments when you were disturbed by the character, where some of the things you had to do and say as Mary would personally disturb you, and make you uncomfortable?

Mo’Nique: Yes. The scene that Mary Jones has with [her Down Syndrome granddaughter], Mongo. And she throws her on the sofa and says, “Get this animal off of me!” That was a little difficult. And when [the director] said “Cut,” we all had to have a group hug, and I had to go hug her mom, and that one was a little difficult.

PR.com: It was difficult to watch. You’ve always been known as a comedienne. Everything I’ve ever seen you in up until Precious has been extremely light. How did you get cast in this role, and did you feel confident to accept it at first?

Mo’Nique: I got a phone call from Lee Daniels at about ten o’clock on a Sunday night. And he said, “I got something that’s going to mess up your career!” I said, “Sign me up!” When he told me what it was, I said, “Oh my God. You’re going to be courageous enough to tell this story?” Once he sent me the book and I understood how courageous Sapphire had to be to write that, I was so honored to be a part of that.

click to read interview with Mo'Nique