Mo'Nique and "Up in the Air" actress Anna Kendrick bumped into each other on the red carpet, but there wasn't even the tiniest hint of animosity between the two best supporting actress nominees.
Sure, they're going head to head for the Oscar, but it's not at all a competition," Mo'Nique told E!'s Ryan Seacrest. "It’s truly a celebration."
Mo'Nique, who is walking into the ceremony as the favorite for best supporting actress, said she's honored and appreciative. "But," she added, "I was as honored when I did 'Soul Plane,' and when they gave me a show on BET."
There's no denying how much "Precious" has made Mo'Nique's star shine even brighter. But the actress said that while "Precious" has indeed had an incredible impact, "the movie is so not about us. This movie changes lives, and when that happens, everything is different."
Mo'Nique told CNN that the movie's star, Gabourey Sidibe, was to be commended for the powerful performance which earned her a best actress nomination.
"When I would watch her, I would be in awe of watching that beautiful spirit take flight," Mo'Nique said of her co-star. " She is showing the world that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and dialects."
The actress confirmed that she is involved in a project about the first African American to win an Academy Award, "Gone with the Wind" actress Hattie McDaniel.
"I think that it's long overdue that the world finds out how dynamic this woman was," Mo'Nique said.