On ‘Oprah,’ Mo’Nique’s brother Gerald Imes admits molestation

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In 2008, comedian and actress Mo’Nique told Essence that her oldest brother had molested her. During the ‘Precious’ publicity tour, she revealed she’d modeled her character in the film on the person she called her own ‘monster.’

On Monday, Gerald Imes went on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ to acknowledge that he had in fact sexually assaulted his sister starting when she was 7 or 8, and that he’d been ‘in denial’ for 37 years about what he’d done.

He also apologized to Mo’Nique. Winfrey said the best supporting actress Oscar winner declined to participate in the show, but had given it her blessing.

‘The hardest part for me was even to admit to her I did something wrong,’ Imes said. ‘I downplayed it by saying, ‘If you think I did it ... .’ There’s no more ‘if you think’ — I did it. I did it. I’m not proud of it. Mo’Nique, I’m sorry.

Imes said he was molested also and went from victim to perpetrator. He was convicted of molesting another person after Mo’Nique and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Why did he come clean about his sister? Watch here. For interview highlights, click here.

-- Christie D’Zurilla

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