MO'NIQUE HAS NEVER been one to do things small.

The Baltimore-born comedian built her stage persona around her ample size and diva-esque demeanor. She wrote a book and called it "Skinny Girls Are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World." But she's also made big statements in other ways.

"Skinny Girls" made the New York Times best-seller list. The TV series she starred in, "The Parkers," ran for five years in the early 2000s and won her four NAACP Image Awards for outstanding actress in a comedy series. As one of "The Queens of Comedy," she had a hit film, tour and Grammy-nominated album.

She's appeared in numerous movies, mostly comedies. Now her first major role in a serious film is getting Oscar buzz already, though it won't be in theaters until November.

Even her recent decision to lose weight had an oversized impact. Fans were outraged, complaining she'd betrayed her big and beautiful base.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column defending Mo'Nique's decision to lose some weight and improve her health that also drew a lot of reader response, much of it negative.

To set the record straight, I figured I'd go directly to the grand diva herself.

Aside from her weight loss, I was also dying to ask her about her upcoming role in Philadelphian Lee Daniels' movie "Precious," based on the riveting novel "Push," by Sapphire. I had heard through the grapevine that Mo'Nique delivers a stellar performance as the abusive mother of the title character.

Q: Hey, Mo'Nique! I want to start by saying congratulations on the movie "Precious." When does it debut in the theaters?

A: Far as I know, it's due out nationwide on Nov. 6.

Q: Fantastic! Daniels is a genius, and his movies always leave you riveted. The novel "Push" tore me up, so I know the movie is going to be incredible. Plus, several people have told me that you put your thing down in this movie. I can't wait to see it.

A: Ohhh, baby, you know Lee Daniels, and he took that book into something no one can even imagine.

Q: So how did y'all get through it?

A: We played. We were kids. The moment he said, "Cut," we played, we danced, we joked, we sang. When he said, "Action," we had to become those people again.

Q: Having overcome your own issues with abuse, this must have been tremendously difficult to portray. It must have been a hard place to go.

A: I wouldn't say hard, but it was challenging. The challenging part was - I can remember being in my hotel room and calling my husband, Sidney [Hicks], and telling him that it made me a little nervous that I could go to that place. It was like, wow, I could go to that place. That was a challenge, because you can't judge it.

Q: Exactly. Not when you're playing the role. Well, congratulations again. I expect to see you at the Academy Awards this year getting your Oscar. You got your gown picked out already?

A: (Laughter) You know what? I am excited about all of the awards but especially the NAACP Award because that's our community saying, "We dug what you did."

Q: You should be excited. And you should be excited about this weight loss. How did you feel when your husband suggested that you do a little slim down?

A: I went though so many emotions. I was embarrassed, my feelings were hurt, I was excited, and I've never felt love like that before. It was so nonjudgmental: "Baby, that's too much, and I want you for a lifetime."