Viola Davis is becoming a Hollywood powerhouse. Davis had to wait for industry recognition. As a dark-skinned woman in a field that sometimes promotes the “ideal of beauty,” her journey was harder. Look at her struggle to overcome this.
Hollywood has marginalised black women. Hattie McDaniels won an Oscar in 1940 for her part as a mammy in Gone With The Wind. Since then, women of colour have been cast in supporting and inferior parts, including Viola Davis. Before becoming famous, Davis played “blink-and-miss it” roles in Eat Pray Love and Antwan Fisher. The Help (2011) and Doubt (2008) were her first leading roles.
Davis has always spoken out about her struggles and being disregarded. Viola Davis told Vanity Fair in 2020 that her life was a protest. “My producing company protests. “My 2012 Oscars protest was not wearing a wig,” she told the tabloid. “It is a part of my voice, like announcing, ‘Hello, my name is Viola Davis.’”
Davis acknowledges that black actresses still lack parts despite her popularity. Viola has witnessed her white peers get roles throughout their lives, but in her 50s, it’s difficult to obtain work. Davis also struggles to obtain well-paid work. Davis claims she is paid less than “the black Meryl Streep.” “OK, if there’s no one like me, you think I’m that; pay me what I’m worth.”
Davis fights for herself and other women actresses. Her producing company and discussing their problems do this. She still faces resistance in her roles. Many criticised her Michelle Obama portrayal. Viola Davis was criticised online for making a funny look while playing Michelle. The film Woman King was criticised as “historically inaccurate.”
Davis says she ignores social media and gossip because she’s used to fighting. She fought back when others said she was too ugly for How to Get Away with Murder. Worse, numerous black actors criticised her skin and appearance. The actress never forgot this.
Davis persevered despite the criticism. HTGAWM was her breakout role and earned her an Emmy.