Gabrielle Union, Viola Davis, Alfre Woodard Talk Hostility Among Black Actresses
Viola Davis, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union come together on Oprah’s Next Chapter to talk about being black actresses in Hollywood, the struggle to get roles, how the world sees them and how they see themselves.
Oprah says she was inspired to have this discussion after hearing a speech Gabrielle Union made at Essence magazine’s sixth annual Black Women in Hollywood pre-Oscars® luncheon while receiving the Fierce and Fearless Award.
“She started her acceptance speech: “We live in a town that rewards pretending” and had our rapt attention. A minute later my jaw literally dropped (I was sitting next to Iyanla who turned to me and whispered, “Close your mouth”) when she said “I used to revel in gossip and rumors. I lived for the negativity inflicted upon my sister actresses or anyone who I felt, whose shine diminished my own. I took joy in people’s pain and I tap danced on their misery.”
Oprah continues, “I had never heard anyone be that honest in public or private about the competition and fierce drive to be seen and succeed in Hollywood.”
“That competition is even more charged for women of color because of the dearth of roles,” she adds. “So I was inspired by Gabrielle’s speech to break open the truth and have a real conversation.”
In the preview clips Gabrielle admits to being a mean girl and revealed how her divorce and a career setback made her hit rock bottom and reevaluate her life. Alfre has been working for over 3 decades admits that for years the mention of another African-American actress’s name would spark negativity and, oftentimes, the b-word from her managers and agents.
And 2-time Oscar nominee Davis explains how the small quantity and poor quality of roles for African-American women breeds a hostile, competitive environment.
Watch the ladies chat on Oprah’s Next Chapter this Sunday.
No comments:
Post a Comment