Mo’Nique’s 3 Kids: Get to Know Her Sons Shalon, Jonathan, and David
- Celebrity
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- UPDATED JUNE 17, 2025
by Kristine Bowman
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Mo’Nique has always been open about her family life. The award-winning actress and comedian is a proud mom of three sons from two different relationships. Her first child, Shalon, was born during her marriage to Calvin Watkins. After their split, Mo’Nique later wed Sidney Hicks, her longtime friend turned life partner, and the couple welcomed twin sons, Jonathan and David, in October 2005. They officially tied the knot the following year, in 2006.
In a March 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Mo’Nique reflected on entering a “new chapter” as her twins approached their high school graduation. A year later, in June 2024, she shared joyful Instagram clips of a family getaway to Turks and Caicos, featuring Hicks and the boys. “I want to make sure that with my children, that we take those vacations,” she said in the video. “Family trips, they’re important, they’re needed, they keep the family together.”
Mo’Nique Welcomed Her First Son, Shalon, in 1990
Mo’Nique and her first husband, Calvin Watkins, became parents in 1990 with the birth of their son, Shalon Watkins Jr. Years later, Mo’Nique candidly admitted that she prioritized her rising career over motherhood during Shalon’s early years. Speaking on The David Banner Podcast in March 2020, she shared:
“I wasn’t interested in being a mother. I was interested in being a star… in taking pictures, red carpets, signing autographs, and traveling the world. So I really didn’t put the focus in.”
Despite her career commitments, Mo’Nique found ways to include Shalon in her world. In 2000, he appeared in an episode of The Parkers alongside his mom. Over the years, he joined her at numerous red carpet events, including the NAACP Image Awards and the BET Awards in 2003 and 2004.
Jonathan and David Were Born in 2005
Mo’Nique and Hicks welcomed twin sons, Jonathan and David, on October 7, 2005. The boys were born prematurely—Jonathan weighing 3 lbs. 12 oz., and David at 4 lbs.—and spent time in the hospital before going home.
This time around, Mo’Nique made a conscious effort to be more present. In her Hollywood Reporter interview, she revealed that she turned down an international press tour for Precious in 2009 to stay home with her young sons.
“It was my third marriage. My second round of children. So I understood by then that when you sacrifice everything for a place called Hollywood, you wind up being by yourself,” she said.
Jonathan and David Support Mo’Nique’s Career
Now young adults, Jonathan and David are among Mo’Nique’s biggest cheerleaders. When they turned 18 in October 2023, they attended one of their mom’s comedy shows for the first time. Mo’Nique shared a backstage photo on Instagram, proudly writing:
“Tonight was something SPECIAL. This was [the] first time my sons saw their Mommy perform live. WOW!!!! SO PROUD!!”
She later posted another moment from the experience—a heartfelt hug with her son after a performance in 2024—calling it “a blessing.
Who Is Sidney Hicks? Mo’Nique’s Husband and Manager
Mo’Nique and Sidney Hicks go way back—they first met at 14 years old before eventually marrying in 2006. Since then, they’ve built both a personal and professional partnership. Hicks has long served as Mo’Nique’s manager, playing a key role in guiding her career.
Under his management, Mo’Nique earned critical acclaim, including an Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for her 2009 role in Precious. In 2015, she was also nominated for an Emmy for her work in Bessie. Together, Mo’Nique and Hicks are raising their twin boys and blending their family with children from previous relationships.
