Photo via WireImage

Comedian Mo’Nique was spotted in Vegas during the 7th Annual Hoodie awards looking simply mah-vel-ous!  The new host of a BET late night recently hit the cover of JET magazine where she discussed her decision to shed the pounds. In the interview, Mo’Nique says she knew it was time to lose weight after an AHA moment during a conversation with her husband, Sidney Hicks:

“I was very comfortable at 262 pounds,” she says. “I’m in the bathroom mirror one day admiring 262. And Sid says to me when he comes out of the shower, ‘Mama, how much do you weigh?’ I said, ‘262.’ And he said, ‘Mmm.'”

Mo’Nique says she knew something was coming next. “He said to me in the most gentle, loving way, ‘I want you for a lifetime,'” she says. “Baby, I started working out right then.”

Rumors have circulated that Mo’Nique took the easy way out and had gastric bypass surgery, but she flatly denies those accusations. The author of “Skinny Bitches Are Evil” and “Skinny Cooks Can’t Be Trusted” made a decision for her health that she makes no excuses for it. I applaud her. She looks great!

In addition to her recent weight loss and venture into late night television, Mo’Nique has also starred in an intriguing new film where she plays the abusive mother of an obese teen who was impregnated twice by her father. The film, entitled “Precious” premiered in January 2009 at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress Mo’Nique. The film has received the golden touch of both Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry so you already know it’s a heartwrencher. Check out the trailer:

Movie Trailer ~ “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire”

I saw the trailer a while back and was struck by it’s intensity. I honestly can’t wait to see this film. “Precious” is expected to be released nationwide November 6, 2009.