Viola Davis Says Critics “Serve No Purpose” In Response To Backlash For Her Michelle Obama Portrayal

Viola Davis isn’t oblivious to the criticism. The award-winning actress broke her silence on the backlash she received following the premiere of The First Lady. Viola portrayed lawyer, author and wife to former President Barack Obama in the ongoing Showtime series. While speaking with BBC News, Viola admitted that it’s “incredibly hurtful when people say negative things” about her work. 

Viola Davis Speaks On Critics: “Absolutely Serve No Purpose”

“Critics absolutely serve no purpose. And I’m not saying that to be nasty either,” Viola said. “They always feel like they’re telling you something that you don’t know. Somehow that you’re living a life that you’re surrounded by people who lie to you and ‘I’m going to be the person that leans in and tells you the truth’. So it gives them an opportunity to be cruel to you.”

“Either you’re doing too much or not enough,” Viola said.

“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.”