DJ Vlad Accuses Mo’Nique of Trying To Steal His Content; Says Mo’Nique’s Husband Is Responsible for Her Bad Reputation
Mo’Nique is no stranger to controversy. The Oscar-winning actor makes it her priority to speak out against what she considers injustice within Hollywood. She does so despite the threat of her career suffering. Mo’Nique famously has feuded with the likes of Oprah Winfrey and is unapologetic about her grievances. But many believe Mo’Nique and her husband are at fault for her career shortcomings. One of which is DJ Vlad.
The media maven is accusing the actor and her husband, Sidney Hicks, of trying to steal his content. Vlad says Hicks is bad news for Mo’Nique’s career.
What is Vlad TV?
Vlad TV is a digital media brand owned by DJ Vlad. The DJ, born Vladislav Lyubovny, considers himself a content curator. He is the CEO of all video and news on the site and his YouTube channel, which currently has over 4 million subscribers.
Vlad’s channel features thousands of short interviews of celebrities and players behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. He also interviews political figures and social activists.
In addition to his YouTube content, Vlad has also produced and directed films with an emphasis on hip hop culture.
Vlad TV’s interview with Mo’Nique
One of Vlad’s most highly anticipated interviews was with Mo’Nique. At the time, the comedian was on a publicity campaign fighting for equal rights and pay for people of color in Hollywood. She was also speaking out against those she accuses of blackballing her, including Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Lee Daniels.
In May 2018, Vlad began posting a series of interviews with Mo’Nique. In the interviews, Mo’Nique touches on everything from experiencing sexual abuse to her rise in Hollywood.
Days later, the videos were removed without explanation, leaving Vlad’s subscribers questioning why.
Vlad TV accuses Mo’Nique of trying to steal his content; says Mo’Nique’s husband is responsible for her bad reputation
Vlad says that from the beginning, Hicks’ behavior was sketchy. He accuses Hicks of refusing to sign a release form before filming began.
Though Vlad found the refusal odd, he moved forward in good faith. He says the release form was sent to him weeks after filming wrapped with modifications.
“[The form said] ‘We’re going to modify this release form and we are going to say that Mo’Nique owns the footage and we’ll license it to you for a year,’” Vlad explains in a new interview with Charlamagne Tha God.
Not only did Vlad find the request shocking, but he also says it’s unethical considering he paid to produce the interview. “She doesn’t own the footage,” he argues. “We filmed it, it’s our footage.”
He says he tried to negotiate with Mo’Nique’s legal team and Hicks, even offering to edit the footage to their liking, but they would not budge.
Vlad’s lawyer advised him to begin releasing the footage. Mo’Nique and Hicks sent a cease and desist letter. To avoid a lawsuit, Vlad removed Mo’Nique’s content and scrapped the interview altogether.
Not only is Vlad upset and of the belief that his time and money were wasted, he also says Mo’Nique’s husband is at fault for her bad reputation.
“Her husband is really the reason why she’s in that situation,” he says.
In a previous chat with comedian Godfrey, his sentiments are the same.
“You have situations where you have someone who is trying to prove that they’re valuable by trying to play hardball with people and spin it ass if they are looking out for you,” he says of Hicks.
Vlad also hints that he finds Hicks controlling, noting that Hicks and Mo’Nique held each other throughout the whole interview.
