Academy Award winning actress Mo’Nique has been in the news for quite a few months now as she battles rumors of being ‘blackballed’ in Hollywood, but now it’s time to show & prove with a new release.

[FLASHBACK: He Say/She Say: Mo’Nique vs. Lee Daniels… (VIDEO)]

Despite all of the nay-sayers, Mo’Nique & her husband, Sidney Hicks put their money and her acting skills behind their own project and are prepping for the release of ‘Blackbird,’ Mo’Niques first film since, Precious.

The film, starring Mo’Nique & Isaiah Washington, was shot a few months back in Mississippi.

??Blackbird? is a film about the choices people are forced to make as they struggle to figure out how to be themselves,? Hicks said.

?And why should just being who you are be a struggle? Since Mo?Nique won the Oscar, we have received a flood of scripts, but nothing captured our attention until Isaiah ? who we have a high level of respect for ? sent us ?Blackbird.’?

Check out the official trailer for the film and share your thoughts below…

VIDEO: Blackbird (OFFICIAL TRAILER)

Starring:?Mo’nique, Isaiah Washington, Kevin Allesee, Gary L. Gray, Nikki Jane, Torrey Laamar, Terrell Tilford, D. Woods & introducing Julian Walker.

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Randy (Julian Walker) tries very hard to be a good person. Since his father (Isaiah Washington) left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother (Mo?Nique), and he?s the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on.

As strong as he seems on the outside, Randy is hiding a secret inner struggle and denial of his true self. It?s not until he opens himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting who you really are.

The film is executive produced by Mo’Nique and her husband Sidney Hicks.? It is based on a novel written by Larry Duplechan and hits select theaters April 24th.

What do you think of the ‘Blackbird’ trailer?