Viola Davis has made image the focus of her latest interview.
The 55-year-old actress told the December issue of InStyle magazine that African-American women are in ‘command of their bodies’ while in ‘white American culture’ confidence is associated with ‘extreme thinness.’
The Help star also touched on what it was like to work with the late Chadwick Boseman on the film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom as she reveals he did not enjoy fame.
The difference: Viola Davis gave a wide-ranging interview this month. The 55-year-old actress told the December issue of InStyle magazine that African-American women are in ‘command of their bodies’ while in ‘white American culture’ confidence is associated with ‘extreme thinness’
Making a statement: The Help star also touched on what it was like to work with the late Chadwick Boseman on the film Black Bottom; she is seen in a stunning black-and-white jigsaw pattern pantsuit with a matching tie
Davis spoke on the differences in beauty between white American and African-American culture and how perception affects how women are viewed in both.
‘In white American culture, the idea of classic beauty and confidence has always been associated with extreme thinness, but not in my culture,’ said the star who was photographed by AB+DM.
She added, ‘In the African-American culture, we are in command of our bodies. There’s an unapologetic way that we approach clothing.
‘You have the powerful understanding that ownership is about owning yourself. It’s owning your failures, owning your insecurities, and understanding that it’s a part of life.’
Making a point: ‘You have the powerful understanding that ownership is about owning yourself. It’s owning your failures, owning your insecurities, and understanding that it’s a part of life,’ she said. Davis appears in a striped pantsuit top and matching fringed split-leg bottoms for InStyle
Davis put an emphasis on the issues faced by African-American women in modern America, and in speaking about these issues, stated that ‘we all have been affected by the trauma. It’s almost as if we have to relearn how to interact with each other.’
The producer also spoke frankly about the topic of image, and related a story about her youth in Central Falls, Rhode Island.
‘I always was trying to channel the girls who had the Farrah Fawcett look. It had disastrous results,’ said the red carpet favorite.
‘So the only thing I can do is channel my authenticity. That is really a powerful tool because we spend our entire lives trying to get there.’
Looking forward: ‘I always was trying to channel the girls who had the Farrah Fawcett look. It had disastrous results,’ said the red carpet favorite. The Fences actress looked radiant in a Gucci pantsuit and paisley tie
Davis also mentioned that understanding the differences between her personal self and who she is in public has been beneficial for her career as an actress.
‘There are some people who feel there’s no separation between them as an artist and their public persona. It has helped me to know the difference.’
The Academy Award-winning actress devoted part of her interview to speak about her recent experience filming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom with Chadwick Boseman, who passed away during post-production on the film.
Keeping a positive mindset: Davis stated that at the end of the day, ‘I’m not trying to lose hope in humanity’
‘He was someone who had a quality that very few have today, whether young or old, which is a total commitment to the art form of acting. Regardless of ego, regardless of any of it,’ said the movie icon.
She added that he was with the same agent he had when he started his career.
‘And when you were with him on the set, he absolutely did not want celebrity treatment. He hated that. He really did,’ said Viola.
Their film: The Academy Award-winning actress devoted part of her interview to speak about her recent experience filming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom with Chadwick Boseman, who passed away during post-production on the film
And they had a ‘little discussion’ about that. ‘We had a conversation in private, and he said, “Viola, I don’t mind the work. I don’t mind all the hours. It’s the other stuff that exhausts me.”
‘He hated the celebrity part. I have to say, we all do. Because we have to be a persona that we just don’t know,’ added the star.
The December issue of InStyle, available on newsstands, on Amazon, and for digital download November 20.