Viola Davis reveals that she prayed for husband Julius Tennon before they met

Viola Davis opted for a pop of bright color on Thursday, as she sat down with Hoda Kotb for aSiriusXM TODAY Show Radio Town Hall in New York City.The Academy Award winner, 56, sported a vivid orange suit for the occasion, featuring a double breasted vest and bell-bottom pants.The First Lady actress paired the stylish ensemble with understated white sneakers and gold hoop earrings. Vivid look: Viola Davis opted for a pop of bright color on Thursday, as she sat down with Hoda Kotb for a SiriusXM TODAY Show Radio Town Hall in New York CityThe star wore her shoulder-length black tresses parted on the side and styled into gentle curls.

Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey's nearly 50 year friendship enviable by millions of friends out there, the way they met is truly out of a Hallmark movie.MORE: Robin Roberts shares special present from Gayle KingThe two were recently highlighted in People's Beautiful Issue, which included a segment all about celebrity best friends, also featuring Maude Apatow and Sydney Sweeney of Euphoria, and Allison Janney and Octavia Spencer.The two television personalities have been each other's biggest supporters for decades, having met when they were both starting off as reporters, and have grown themselves, and their careers, side by side.WATCH: Gayle is overjoyed to finally meet Nate Burleson's wife, AtoyMORE: Gayle King wows in figure-hugging dress that causes a stirThey explained how Oprah, then 22, was working in Baltimore, Maryland, as a news anchor at WJZ-TV, and Gayle, who was 21, was a production assistant and writer at the radio station.The Selma actress made the first move, looking out for the CBS host when a major snowstorm was coming, offered her a ride and an invitation to stay at her place for the night.After talking all night long, Gayle still remembers to this day the purple dress with a scoop neck and bell sleeves that her best friend let her borrow as they headed in to work the following morning.A post shared by People Magazine (@people)The stars' stunning portraitsThe pair opened up to the magazine about all they have in common, and how they differ, revealing how the morning show host is an extrovert and keen on going out, while the Oscar winning media mogul is the opposite, and loves spending time at home.MORE: Today star Sheinelle Jones and Gayle King celebrate 'divas' with fun night outMORE: CBS' Gayle King

She's best known for her acclaimed body of film work, which earned her an Academy Award.But Viola Davis showed off her talents as a writer on Wednesday, when she sat down with Me Too founder Tarana Burke, 48, for a conversation at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan.The 56-year-old actress was on hand to discuss her recently published memoir Finding Me. Talking about herself: Viola Davis, 56, sat down with Me Too founder Tarana Burke on Wednesday at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y to chat about her new memoir Finding MeViola cut an elegant figure on the event's red carpet with her striking black suit.The blazer featured an unusual zipper — rather than buttons — and it had strips of black satin running up the lapels.

Viola Davis is opening up about how she felt after reading some harsh criticism, in reference to her portrayal of Michelle Obama in the television series ‘The First Lady.’During her recent interview with BBC News, the legendary actress said that she felt “incredibly hurtful” after seeing media outlets and online users posting “negative things about” her work, however she understands it is an “occupational hazard” of her acting career.“How do you move on from the hurt, from failure?” Viola said, “But you have to. Not everything is going to be an awards-worthy performance.”One person tweeted, “They set Viola Davis up by allowing her keep her mouth that way throughout the filming.

There is a change in the Season 2 cast Freeform’s Cruel Summer unveiled last week. Lexi Underwood has been tapped for a role in the second installment of the anthology series, which features a new cast, a new mystery and a new showrunner.

Viola Davis says Will Smith helped her confront her childhood trauma.The actress explained how an on-set conversation with her co-star from the 2016 movie Suicide Squad gave her a fresh perspective on issues she had been dealing with for decades.In an excerpt from her new memoir Finding Me - which was shared by USA Today- she revealed how he asked her who she really was and past trauma helped shape her. Working through issues:Viola Davis says Will Smith helped her confront her childhood trauma (pictured 2022)Smithasked: 'Viola, who are you?'She wrote that he continued: 'Look, I'm always going to be that 15-year-old boy whose girlfriend broke up with him.

The First Lady.Davis called the reception to the series “incredibly hurtful” after the Washington Post’s Inkoo Kang criticised “Emmy-baiting performances” from Davis as well as Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson.“Critics absolutely serve no purpose,” Davis said in an interview with the BBC. “And I’m not saying that to be nasty, either.

Viola Davis has written a new memoir, Finding Me, in which she recounts her difficult childhood and eventual success in Hollywood.

Viola Davis is speaking out about the criticism she's been facing recently. In an interview with the BBC’s  program, the 56-year-old Oscar winner addressed recent critiques about her portrayal of former first lady Michelle Obama, calling them «incredibly hurtful.»Davis stars in the first season of Showtime's new scripted anthology series, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson, who star as Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt, respectively. O-T Fagbenle portrays former President Barack Obama.The actress has specifically come under fire for the facial expressions and poses she holds while portraying the Harvard Law School grad. Still, Davis acknowledged that criticism was an «occupational hazard» of acting.«How do you move on from the hurt, from failure?» she asked.

Viola Davis just released her highly anticipated memoir, Finding Me, where readers get the most honest and raw version of herself and her life.MORE: Viola Davis stuns fans with Michelle Obama transformation in first look at The First LadyIn it, the actress details her often grim childhood, growing up hungry, running from bullies, the domestic abuse happening in her home, and how she overcame it all to become one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood.The Ma Rainey's Black Bottom star sat down with Today's Hoda Kotb for her podcast, Making Space, where the two discussed the book, and had heart wrenching conversations about all that she went through in her childhood.WATCH: Celebrity Close-Up, Viola DavisMORE: Viola Davis dazzles in a showstopping neon dress that might be her best look yet The co-host began the episode by explaining the heartbreaking reality of the Academy Award winner's background, describing young Viola as: "The one who survived an unthinkable childhood, the one who was bullied and chased, and felt like she was running from her life, the one who witnessed abuse and endured hardships so painful, few people would have survived."She expressed that the book was: "So meaningful and beautiful and touching… it moved me to my very core," to which the author responded that it was terrifying to publish, admitting that: "There's a lot of feelings because I'm putting my life out there for the world to judge, observe."The actress however didn't hesitate to open up about the hardships that marred her childhood, starting off by the revelation that she grew up hungry.

Viola Davis isn't holding anything back in her newly released memoir, .The 56-year-old actress bares it all in the emotional book; looking back on a traumatic childhood filled with poverty, abuse and heartbreak. The Tony, Oscar and Emmy winner recounts living in a condemned building, vicious bullying by boys who threw rocks at her for being Black, enduring more racism as she made her mark within the predominantly white entertainment industry and eventually finding joy in the life she built with her husband, Julius Tennon.Speaking with ET's Kevin Frazier, Davis admitted that reliving her past for the book was «ultimately very cathartic» and it helped her understand herself from a new perspective.«I felt like I was in the middle of a really weird existential crisis during the pandemic, a crisis of meaning,» she shared.

Viola Davis has heard the critics, but she’s not letting the memes or Twitter threads get her down. Amid a slew of fan and critic responses to her starring role in Showtime’s biopic limited series The First Lady, Davis says that it’s impossible to please everyone with every role she takes on. Davis portrayed First Lady Michelle Obama in the series, which recounted American history through the perspectives of three separate first ladies during their tenures in The White House.

Putting it all out there. Viola Davis doesn’t have time for critics — especially when it comes to her portrayal of Michelle Obama on Showtime’s The First Lady.

Viola Davis is responding to the criticism she received online for her performance as Michelle Obama in Showtime’s The First Lady.

Viola Davis doesn’t have time for social media trolls.

Viola Davis has hit back at criticism of her portrayal of Michelle Obama in Showtime’s The First Lady by decrying critics as “absolutely serving no purpose.”

Viola Davis is ready to get people excited for her upcoming movie The Woman King!

Viola Davis started off her week in a glamorous hot pink pantsuit while accepting the Trailblazer of the Year award at CinemaCon.The 56-year-old actress took to the stage atThe Colosseum at Caesars Palace during Sony Pictures' CinemaCon presentation on Monday evening.She was helped present the trailer for her new film The Woman King, which she called her 'magnum opus,' slated for release on September 16. Viola's look:Viola Davis started off her week in a glamorous hot pink gown while accepting the Trailblazer of the Year award at CinemaConDavis stepped out with an elegant hot pink off-shoulder pantsuit as she took the stage on Monday night.Her bangs dangled over her forehead as she spoke to the nation's exhibitors during the annual convention, with bright blue earrings as she held her award.

“Viola Davis has been championing this movie as a producer since Day one,” says TriStar Pictures President Nicole Brown at CinemaCon, introducing The Woman King at Sony’s CinemaCon session.

Viola Davis is opening up about her traumatic past, celebrating her glorious present and looking toward her bright future. The Academy Award-winning actress gives it all to her fans — «the truth straight, no chaser» — and more in her upcoming memoir, . Speaking with ET's Kevin Frazier, Davis admitted that reliving her past for the book was «ultimately very cathartic» and it helped her understand herself from a new perspective.«I felt like I was in the middle of a really weird extensional crisis during the pandemic, a crisis of meaning,» she shared.

Viola Davis’ latest honour is not for her acting, but for her writing. The Oscar winner’s upcoming memoir, Finding Me, is Oprah Winfrey’s new book club pick.