Mo'Nique talks to Essence about surviving sexual abuse

Surviving sexual abuse and refusing to be a victim:
“I’m not excited to talk about this. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t pretend.”

Weight loss and her fab new look:
“We should all want to live healthy lives because we don’t want to be in a
position where there are things we can’t do and places we can’t go. My
husband said to me one day, `I want you for a lifetime.' Then it clicked
that my weight had become a major concern. I wanted to be around for my family."

Turning up the heat in the bedroom:
“Sex is an important part of a relationship but it isn’t everything. If he’s a good man and you love him and want to make the relationship work, discuss your needs openly and honestly.”

Believing in yourself:
“In my career I’ve met many successful people. Whenever I ask them how they made it, the word “belief” always comes up. I’ll never forget being on the set of `Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins' with Martin Lawrence. He offered me this advice: `Believe in yourself and never let them tell you what you can’t have.' I thank you, brother Martin, for that love.”

source