Viola Davis has a new interview with Glamour Magazine, in the issue with Natalia Vodianova on the cover. While I like Natalia and I think it’s great that fashion magazines are putting models back on their covers, I tend to think Viola should get #AlltheCovers. It would amazing to see Viola on major magazine covers, like Glamour, Elle, Allure and even Vogue. How powerful would it be to see Viola on Vogue? What makes it better, of course, is that Viola is actually one of the most inspirational actresses/human beings out there today. She’s constantly doing press for her charitable work, and this Glamour interview is on behalf of her work with Hunger Is (go here to see hungeris.org). So far, Viola has personally raised $4.5 million for the child-hunger organization and she’s committed to doing more. Some highlights from Glamour:
Living on welfare as a kid: After the first-of-the-month welfare check arrived, Davis’ parents would buy groceries, yet the food would quickly disappear. “It was like, If you don’t eat it now, it’ll be gone, and you’re going to be hungry for the next—Lord, who knows how long.”
Being hungry at school: “I was always so hungry and ashamed, I couldn’t tap into my potential. I couldn’t get at the business of being me.”
Accepting her life, the success & the failure: “One thing that is missing from the vision boards is what happens when you don’t get what you want. Your ability to adapt to failure, and navigate your way out of it, absolutely 100 percent makes you who you are.”
Her work with hungeris.org: “I’m going to hit up more of my friends. This is the richest country in the world. There’s no reason kids should be going to school hungry. Food is something that everyone should have. It just is.”
Playing the now infamous wig scene in HTGAWM: “I’m finally comfortable with my story. And I finally understand what [mythologist] Joseph Campbell meant when he said: ‘The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.'”
Her words to live by: “I tell my daughter every morning, ‘Now, what are the two most important parts of you?’ And she says, ‘My head and my heart.’ Because that’s what I’ve learned in the foxhole: What gets you through life is strength of character and strength of spirit and love.
There are so few working entertainers talking about the power of failure: “Your ability to adapt to failure, and navigate your way out of it, absolutely 100 percent makes you who you are.” That’s so true. When you’re a kid, your parents probably told you that failing or losing builds character and you know what? They were right. You don’t know who you are until you’ve tried and failed at something.
As for child hunger… I couldn’t agree with her more. I’m so proud to live in a state with great funding for school breakfast and lunch programs in public schools, but much more can and should be done.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Mark Seliger/Glamour.
I know some CB commenters are always on wiglet watch (Wigs/weaves are ok, to each their own!), but I think Viola looks great here. The shot could’ve easily been an Allure cover.
She looks beautiful in that top photo, but why did they photoshop out all of the lines around her eyes? :S
Not only is food something everyone should have, it should also be affordable for everyone.
I remember being hungry. I was starved by my stepmother for over 14 years until I figured out I could steal food from the fridge as long as no one was around to see. I was fed one meal a day and was tortured if I mentioned it or accepted food from someone. I came home from school one day eating an orange a friend had given me on the bus. I wasn’t thinking. She hit me across the face so hard I flew 5 feet. Then she beat me for not standing upright while she struck. I was 4 when she made me stand in the middle of the living room with 3 of her friends, and had them all laughing telling them about me being caught stealing orange peels from a garbage can. I still remember the humiliation.
Now today, nobody leaves my house hungry. Nobody. I hate the thought of anyone going hungry.
Oh, Lady D, I am so sorry that happened to you. I can’t even imagine what you went through. I’m so glad you rose above it and help others because of your life growing up. Good for you! 🙂
I am deeply moved by your story. I wish I could go back in time and feed you and make you safe. You are an amazing person to have come through that with such grace.
Oh dear Lord, what kind of monster does that to anyone much less a child, and where were the other adults to see and save you? I am so sorry! It makes me batty to hear horror stories like this. Wish I could give you a hug and take away the horrible childhood memories, bring you back to my grandma’s house to be coddled and fed.
Lady D, I can’t even imagine going through what you went through. The fact that you came through that able to talk about it speak about it is a testament to how strong, brave and resilient you are.
I’m so sorry and saddened to hear your story. The fact that monsters like that are allowed to raise children or even to be around children is another thing besides hunger that should not be happening in a civilized world in the XXI century. Your stepmother, those friends of hers and any person who knew what was happening and did nothing, belong in a tiny prison cell with one meal a day.
Love her, love what she says.
Good for her for mentioning failure and life not always being what you want. The special snowflake generation could benefit from listening to her.
What does “the special snowflake generation” mean? I’ve never heard of that.
It means that people who think that they are so special that they can do no wrong. Mainly because that’s what they’ve always been told. That they are perfect and every outcome of every endeavor they pursue should be met with success and adoration.
It’s a line from Fight Club: “You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You’re the same decaying organic matter as everything else.”
Snowflakes are over-entitled. The slightest setback and they react as if it’s a personal tragedy.
I encountered a Snowflake today. Some lady at the shops was trying to return underwear. Which is never allowed, because “ew!” From what I could overhear, she didn’t have a receipt either, so even if it had been something different, the shop would’ve been well within their rights to say no. But apparently the knickers had been a gift from someone who died, and she couldn’t stand the idea of wearing them. Therefore the shop must obviously give her money. She was still (loudly!) arguing that she deserved special treatment because “I know someone who died!!!” when I left 10 minutes later.
Thank you for the explanation. I really appreciate it. 🙂
Our school district started giving free lunch to entire schools where the zoned area was considered to be a lower income area. Fortunately, our daughter’s school is in one of those schools even though we can afford to pay for her lunches, etc. There are also schools here that give children free breakfasts and lunches during the summer. All they have to do is walk into a school and they get to eat for free. The staff doesn’t even ask what school they attend. I hope this becomes a trend and goes national. No child or adult should ever be denied food. I’m so glad Viola is putting the spotlight on this issue with her own experiences included.
My son went to an elementary school like that. All the kids got free breakfast and lunch. It would be great if every school did this.
Oh, that sounds wonderful. It’s impossible in my country with its current economy but that’s certainly the dream. The mayor of my town recently got into trouble because too many children received free lunches at school. The government plan was to give free food for the school children whose parents are around the line of poverty but there was some percentage that should not be exceeded. I live in one of the poorest regions in the entire European Union so the number of those children was much larger and the mayor decided not to choose between one hungry child and another and told school principals to feed all of them. He almost got fired for defraudation.
She absolutely should be on the cover of Vogue, she can wear the hell out of a gown and always looks gorgeous. She should probably also be President or something.
I just heard another celebrity talking about a school breakfast program to help kids who are coming to school hungry – I can’t remember who it was now, but they talked about the research done into how badly it affects learning. I love that Viola is so passionate about this, it’s an important cause and very personal to her.
Edit: It was Jeff Bridges, he’s involved with nokidhungry.org. I love them both for the work they’re doing for kids.
Wow! So moving and so very truthful. We have people (celebrities) who do absolutely NOTHING but BE SEEN and think they rock the world. This is a person, and a celebrity, who is DOING SOMETHING and putting her money where the proverbial mouth is. This is accomplishment. Wonderful words of wisdom. Duly noted.
Being a hungry child is horrible. I will never forget the times we went days without eating. There were times when I would be at a friends house and they would ask me if I would like something to eat, (I think they knew how poor we were) but I would always say “No thank you” because I was embarassed.
No child should ever go hungry. God bless her for doing what she does. What an amazing and beautiful woman she is!!!
After watching her receive some award and listening to her speech I have nothing but respect for this woman.
I’ve got nothing to add really, just commenting cuz I want more Viola stories! Honk if you love Viola!
Honk!
Honk Honk! Every interview she does I’m blown away.
Honk, honk – love her passion, acting, grace & overall beautiful self!