Viola Davis

[iClaudia]

Feb 27, 2012 11:18:02 GMT -4 incognito said:

And, anyway, I'm conflicted in that I'm sad for Viola, but happy that The Help didn't get another Oscar to its name.

Yeah, that's the big consolation with VD's loss. If "The Help" was to get one award, I would have preferred that Viola got it but in an ideal world she'd be nominated (and win) for a much better film.

Feb 27, 2012 11:28:00 GMT -4 Witchie said:

Someone on Roger Ebert's blog said she knew Viola wouldn't win when Octavia did because the Academy wouldn't put 2 black women up there with 2 white men (paraphrased). TBH, our pessimism isn't unwarranted or unusual. Not when in the history of the Oscars there have only been 1 Best Actress/3 Supporting Actress wins by black actresses.

The sexism in Hollywood may be even harder to overcome than the racism and Black actresses have to deal with both. The record since 2002 speaks volumes. Denzel, then Jamie, then Forest vs. Halle, then.... nothing. I'm sure another Black actor will win a lead acting Oscar before a Black actress does.

I'm glad that a 62-year-old Meryl Streep one after she had lost to so many much younger actresses but the fact that a victory for one over-40 actress could mean lost chances for another just shows have entrenched the sexism in Hollywood is.

[kali]

It was a big upset. Most every critic I saw on tv said that Viola would win. I can't recall another actress who won all or most of the major awards leading up to the Oscars who did not win the Oscar. It makes no sense to me.

That's not really true though. Meryl won the Golden Globe, the BAFTA, a few critics' awards. This was marked as a 2-horse race for the past few months. Viola might have been seen as having a slight edge, but this wasn't a huge upset or anything.

[honee]

I'm not really upset about her not winning because as others have stated I hated the role. I'm sad she will likely not have many more opportunities to showcase her talent though.

[xenna]

Feb 27, 2012 13:06:05 GMT -4 luthia said:

It was a big upset. Most every critic I saw on tv said that Viola would win. I can't recall another actress who won all or most of the major awards leading up to the Oscars who did not win the Oscar. It makes no sense to me.

Nah, I think most critics were just hedging their bets and assuming Viola would win because she got the SAG award. If an actor wins that, s/he has like a 95% chance of winning the Oscar.

I'm sure Viola thought she had a lock on it too, last night's post-Oscar festivities must've been very bitter for her.

[Atreides]

Feb 27, 2012 16:22:19 GMT -4 xenna said:

Feb 27, 2012 13:06:05 GMT -4 luthia said:

It was a big upset. Most every critic I saw on tv said that Viola would win. I can't recall another actress who won all or most of the major awards leading up to the Oscars who did not win the Oscar. It makes no sense to me.

Nah, I think most critics were just hedging their bets and assuming Viola would win because she got the SAG award. If an actor wins that, s/he has like a 95% chance of winning the Oscar.

I'm sure Viola thought she had a lock on it too, last night's post-Oscar festivities must've been very bitter for her.

The Best Actress SAG award has matched up with the Oscars 12/18 times, or 67% (13/18 if you count Kate Winslet's win for Supporting Actress for The Reader). While it is a strong indicator, it is not rock solid.

For those who PVRed the Oscars, you can see Viola's disappointment for a second before she recovers and applauds for Meryl. Tough loss.

[butterscotch]

This just reminds me of when Julie Christie won the SAG and Marion Cotillard won the Oscar.

[baileydash]

I'm just glad Viola wore her natural hair. She looked wonderful. Even if it makes some people - both black and white - uncomfortable. Heck, making some people uncomfortable is just another reason to love it. Unfortunately, even in 2012, a black woman wearing her hair at the texture it grows out of her head is still considered radical.

Essence breaks it down.

[discoprincess]

Feb 29, 2012 17:34:12 GMT -4 baileydash said:

I'm just glad Viola wore her natural hair. She looked wonderful. Even if it makes some people - both black and white - uncomfortable. Heck, making some people uncomfortable is just another reason to love it. Unfortunately, even in 2012, a black woman wearing her hair at the texture it grows out of her head is still considered radical.

Essence breaks it down.

From the Essence blog post:

Viola’s look came courtesy of encouragement from her husband: "He told me, 'If you want to wear wigs for your career, that's fine, but in your life wear your hair. Step into who you are,’” she told InStyle.

Bravo. Kudos to Viola for having such an understanding husband who accepts his wife as she is!

When I saw Viola on the TV on Sunday night, I was surprised and then happy. I was like, "You go, girl!" Now I have a new hair icon (like Halle was back when she was rocking the pixie cut).

[sugarhigh]

Resurrecting this thread for exciting news. Viola will be starring in a new Shonda Rhimes drama pilot!

I think Shonda's shows all eventually turn into cheesy bs, but I LOVE her casting choices. Plus, people love her shows so hopefully this will be picked up and Viola will get a long-running TV show.

[castillo]

O/T  But Viola Davis just finished filming a movie with Jennifer Lopez.  Viola and her husband's production company hand-picked JLO to star in this movie with her.

Details and video of them discussing the movie.