Mo'Nique paid tribute to trailblazing black actress Hattie McDaniel on Sunday after becoming only the fifth African-American woman in history to win an Oscar.

The larger-than-life 42-year-old scooped the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of an abusive parent in the harrowing independent drama 'Precious'.

The win made her only the fifth black actress in history to win an Oscar following McDaniel, Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry and Jennifer Hudson.

In her acceptance speech at the Kodak Theater, Mo'Nique praised McDaniel for "for enduring all that she had to so that I would not have to." McDaniel won the same award for 1939 classic 'Gone With the Wind'.

Afterwards Mo'Nique said her choice of blue gown and gardenia was inspired by McDaniel's choice of attire at the Oscars ceremony 70 years ago.

"The reason why I have on this royal blue dress is because it's the color that Hattie McDaniel wore in 1940 when she accepted her Oscar," Mo'Nique said.

"The reason why I have this gardenia in my hair, it is the flower that Hattie McDaniel wore when she accepted her Oscar.

"So, for you, Miss Hattie McDaniel, I feel you all over me, and it's about time that the world feels you all over them.

"Thank you so much, baby. I love you."

Mo'Nique meanwhile fired a parting shot at media reports earlier this year which had accused her of "diva-like" behavior, and praised Oscars voters for "ignoring the politics."

"Some journalist wrote, some reporters wrote, 'Someone needs to teach Mo'Nique a lesson. Someone needs to tell her how this game is played,'" Mo'Nique said.

"And I am very proud to be part of an Academy that says, 'We will not play that game. We will judge her on her performance and not how many dinners she attended and how many pictures she took. It's on the screen.'"

Other nominees for the award Sunday had included last year's winner Penelope Cruz for 'Nine', Maggie Gyllenhaal for 'Crazy Heart' and 'Up In the Air' duo Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga.