MO'NIQUE'S OSCAR HOPES FOR PRECIOUS ENDANGERED BY HER ATTITUDE!

Breakout star Mo'Nique isn't considered that "precious" by executives at Lionsgate, which produced her forthcoming film. In fact, insiders are saying the 41-year-old comedian's bad attitude and shameless demands for money may jeopardize her chance for Oscar glory - all this before the highly anticipated movie opens on Nov. 6.
The star was MIA Saturday night at the New York Film Festival premiere of the buzzworthy flick "Precious." She also allegedly ditched her promotional duties during the Toronto Film Festival when she was denied a $100,000 appearance fee.

"That money didn't even include hair and makeup costs. She also demanded that her glam squad fly first class," sniped an incredulous industry source. "Apparently, she's ignorant as to how the Hollywood system works."

According to our snitch, exasperated studio chiefs suggested that executive producer Oprah Winfrey get involved to deflate Mo'Nique's substantial ego, but even O couldn't stop the actress from seeing green.

"Mo'Nique said she signed on to do this film for a small amount of money. She said she didn't care about 'no Oscar' - all that mattered was 'those Benjamins!' Because Oprah and Tyler Perry are backing the film, she feels as though there should be a budget to pay for her promotional duties," the source explains.

But the star's attitude is starting to work against her. Winfrey and Tyler have reportedly instructed Lionsgate to put their promotional machine behind fellow stars Mariah Carey and Gabby Sidibe for the Oscar race. Those two are adept at playing the game; both turned up in New York and Toronto to push the film for free (although Carey, left, was 30 minutes late to Saturday's Alice Tully Hall premiere and entered to boos from the audience in response to her tardiness).

"When people say, 'You care more about money than winning an Oscar,' well, what does an Oscar mean? An Oscar means more work when you win it, and that means more money!" retorts Mo'Nique in response to the allegations. "I couldn't eat that Oscar. Everybody needs money, baby. That's how we survive, right?"

Reps for Winfrey, Tyler and Lionsgate declined to comment, but the film's director, Lee Daniels, was quick to say, "Mo'Nique is not a diva. She puts her soul into whatever she does. I love her very much."

He does add, however, that "doing the press is hard for her because she's in the moment."