Viola Davis opens up about hard childhood and Michelle Obama in new interview

hellomagazine.com:

Viola Davis opened up in a new interview about her heartbreaking childhood and how someone like Michelle Obama inspired people who grew up like she did.MORE: Viola Davis stuns fans with Michelle Obama transformation in first look at The First LadyIn conversation with the Wall Street Journal while promoting her show The First Lady, the actress talked about playing the former First Lady in the series.VIDEO: Michelle Obama reveals what she took from the White House"She was one of those first ladies that came in with big ideas," she said. "And I would say that the restrictions that were placed on her—not just being a first lady but [also] being a Black woman—were enormous."She specifically also mentioned Michelle's Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which President Obama had signed into law, talking about why she could relate to it.MORE: Viola Davis dazzles in a showstopping neon dress that might be her best look yet"I mention that because I was a kid who was hungry.

I grew up in abject poverty. I dumpster-dived. I stole money for food," Viola shared. "And I think Michelle Obama, coming from the South Side of Chicago, was very aware of [that kind of poverty]."A post shared by VIOLA DAVIS (@violadavis)Viola is slated to portray Michelle in the upcoming seriesThe Oscar winner also shared what it was like for her to actually meet the Obamas, saying: "I consider myself to have more angst, and I come from a place of feeling like, "You better see me; I'm not invisible.' "But when you're in their presence, they absolutely know their worth, they're in their bodies, and they're present.

They take you in—in a way that's actually surprising. [Michelle] has decoded you in two seconds. All the best broads I know do that."MORE: Michelle Obama.