Viola Davis has a way of summing up everyone’s feelings on a certain topic. She’s no stranger to stating her thoughts on issues concerning her field and its lack of diversity. The How To Get Away With Murder lead star initially shared those statements during her acceptance speech at the 2015 Emmys. Now, the highly-decorated actress discussed the recent conversation concerning the Oscars.
Following her win at the SAG Awards this weekend, Davis said the concern about the lack of diversity in Hollywood shouldn’t be diminished to just a subject that solely lives on social media.
“We have become a society of trending topics. Diversity is not a trending topic,” she said. “It’s just not. I’ve always considered myself an actor since I got my equity card in 1988. I’ve never put any limitations on myself. I felt like I could play Chekhov, any character in Chekhov and Shakespeare in Arthur Miller, in August Wilson. I see myself as an actor. No matter what is going on in the business, I will find a way to practice my art, and all of the actors of color who I know don’t place any limitations on themselves either.”
Davis’ peers have previously chimed in on the Oscars’ nominations list, which doesn’t feature any actors/actresses of color in the major categories. Jada Pinkett-Smith and other entertainers have called for a boycott of the annual showcase, but Davis believes despite Hollywood’s decisions, minority actors will still continue to excel within their craft.
“So regardless of what is going on with the Academy, regardless of what is going on in Hollywood, they will find a way to be excellent,” she said. “We always have and we always will be.”