Shadow and Act has learned that Mo’Nique has signed a deal with Endemol Shine North America, reuniting her with Cris Abrego, who is currently the Chairman of the Americas, Banijay, and President and CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings.

She will develop unscripted TV projects under Hicks Media, which is Mo’Nique and her manager/husband Sidney Hicks’ production label. They will produce unscripted series for Mo’Nique to both host and star in, as well as develop and produce projects for other performers.

It is a reunion of sorts for Abrego with Mo’Nique, who he cast in Charm School 15 years ago for VH1. Abrego, originally co-founded 51 Minds, which was behind Charm School.

Abrego called Mo’Nique and Hicks during the pandemic about potential unscripted collaborations.

“I’ll never forget my first time working with her on ‘Charm School,’ where she made it very clear that there was a lack of diverse faces behind the camera and that things needed to change,” Abrego said in a statement. “That was 15 years ago, and Mo’Nique has been a champion of equality and representation in our industry ever since.”

He added, “Mo’Nique is an icon in every sense of the word, and I can’t think of anyone who is more relevant and whose authentic voice should be heard right now more than hers. Our team at Endemol Shine is thrilled to be working with her and excited by the top names that both she and Sidney are already bringing in to collaborate with.”

“It is an honor for Hicks Media Inc. to be forming a partnership with such a creative force in the industry as Endemol Shine, and it is an exciting opportunity to have an ally with the fearlessness, integrity and vision of its CEO, Cris Abrego,” said Mo’Nique and Sidney Hicks. 

The Oscar winner received an Emmy nomination for Bessie in 2015 and recently hosted and produced the Showtime special, Mo’Nique & Friends: Live From Atlanta.