Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu on physically preparing for 'The Woman King' | Etalk Interview

Tyrone chats with #TheWomanKing stars #ViolaDavis and Thuso Mbedu about what it was like getting in shape to play real life warriors and they share their reaction to buying out theatres so that young kids get to watch the movie.
Anchored by Tyrone Edwards, senior correspondents Lainey Lui and Traci Melchor, reporters Chloe Wilde and Sonia Mangat and L.A. correspondent Liz Trinnear, Etalk is Canada’s #1 daily entertainment show, shining a spotlight on home-grown television, film, fashion and music and providing a unique perspective on breaking entertainment news and the hottest headlines.
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[@EtalkCTV]

Watch Tyrone's best interviews here: bit.ly/3iaPcAW

[@chubbatheBOSS]

The final scenes with mother and daughter bonding just broke me down into sobs. It had so much heart. I felt so much healing in those tears. Thank you to the people who made this film. I also loved how Nawi got to experience real love and tenderness from Malik and the healing that she showed with her mother. I feel like the whole movie is about heart. The heart is where the courage lies. This is the message I received by the end. P.s: Thuso is so gorgeous

[@beatpirate8]

I watched it and I’m so glad. I felt so much! I cried. Everyone should watch this film ! Such great performance. The storytelling about even her suffering was so raw and important.

[@veganista5096]

Viola is so down to earth. No fluff. I feel as if I could talk with her for hours in my hair bonnet and slippers. 😆

[@kompalyathunderbird7651]

"We have been gaslit, sidelined" but we shall rise like the phoenix. Thank you for sharing your hearts and souls with us, The movie is powerful and we stay with us for centuries!

[@johnadedayobamideleadegboyega]

Hello👋

[@ThokoTwala]

This is the best interview I’ve seen both Thuso & Viola look so relaxed.

[@delorescorley8415]

I went to the movies yesterday to see The Woman King was beautiful. I loved this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ntokozo7180]

This is a legend in the making well done Thuso 🥰💞

[@evelyntarawa7140]

Luv and Honor Voila and one of her cast absolutely amazing work in your movie together Respect and Honor Voila Watching from Aotearoa New Zealand

[@ZomziWeAfrika]

Our Beloved Thuso❤️🇿🇦

[@WhyCee74]

Viola's natural hair is gorgeous 😍 ✨️ 💖👌🏾

[@boussodioum2521]

When I say, that I am so thankful, that I didn't miss experiencing this movie in theaters..... It's Movies like this, that makes theater's such a luxury to have, Viola davis and Thuso Mbedu performances were absolutely incredible!!! They made these characters so real, I felt like I was just watching these characters journey's, and It was beautiful!!! This movie actually introduced me to Thuso, and I've learned a lot about her, and I can't wait to see her in future projects!

[@thandekamelissakubeka20]

I love how Viola just mantors this girls❤️❤️ and Thuso we are proud of you 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@stephanie6416]

I admire Viola, her character, her courage and her commitment to face the many challenges in her life and on screen. 💕The entire cast of women gave us NATURAL, radiant black beauty, resilience, courage and strength. I felt pure, raw emotion, joy, sorrow, community, traditional ceremony and overall strong tribal vibes. I loved it. It was truly an energizing movie from start to finish.

[@AnastasiaMacdonald]

Well said…👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽

[@johnadedayobamideleadegboyega]

Hello👋

[@marymccluer1630]

I love this movie! From the first scene, it pulls you in and doesn't let you go. I had to watch it again. You fall in love with the characters; they are so genuine. Powerful story.

[@debracox3020]

This movie was absolutely amazing ✨⭐✨ bringing two generations of the women in my family together including my eighty year old mother I will never forget it ❤️

[@debrasmith3416]

Beautiful 💞

[@jeffslote9671]

It's always beautiful when people come together to celebrate slavery

[@TheRgordon16]

It’s absolutely fake. Go learn about their true history and learn how they fought to keep slavery; not end it.

[@gearea5189]

👏👏👏🙌phenomenal!

[@Too-Odd]

@@jeffslote9671 It is like Jews watching Schindler's List and saying how beautiful the camp guards were at Auschwitz Birkenau. People need to pay attention in history class.

[@dedeabaiki3924]

Viola Davis' voice is uniquely Viola's. Rich and free and genuine!! I could listen to her talk and her laughter all day!!

[@tinacyberprofessional1974]

Let's not forget the love story between Malik and beautiful Nawi. Love the movie!!

[@RockitCandy]

I really enjoyed this interview

[@zinhlemyenithecareercoach]

Thuso - rising star

[@samkelofubesi9414]

MaMbedu proud of her❤❤

[@zetzeeful]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LOSTONITALL]

Laugh

[@regihandoyolee2620]

So Pretty Thuso Mbedu

[@disniesebastien]

They were amazing 😍😍😍

[@jamesowens311]

Awesome Movie, Chef’s Kiss

[@Hunter_Brandon]

Historically inaccurate but who cares.

[@scottiescott5006]

Great movie, great interview.

[@carolbryan7494]

Everyone must see this movie!!! Educational, Motivational, Inspirational and Empowering!!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Lowlander-ci7is]

The Dahomey tribe were monsters, this movie is not educational in any way....

[@malleoustartarus4118]

How is this education when it shows the Dahomey in a positive light. It shows the Dahomey doing the opposite of what they were known for, they didn't attempt to end slavery it was that which their kingdom was built on. Just boldfaced lies.

[@debrasmith3416]

YES YES!!!!

[@Too-Odd]

Educational for revisionist historians that aggrandize murderous slavers. Motivational only if you believe butchering other people is the right thing to do. Inspirational if killing your neighbors is on your bucket list. Empowering in the same way Schindler's List was empowering for neo-Nazi sympathizers.

[@1HourOf.]

Thuso looks ❤🔥haaaat

[@carolbryan7494]

The Woman King is incredible!!! This is a Human story. Women are beautiful warriors!

[@TheRgordon16]

It’s a fake story that’s not true. The Dahomey women were for slavery and fought to maintain it; not end it. Go learn about your history sister

[@Too-Odd]

This movie aggrandizes the Dahomy Tribe that literally butchered other humans like goats and enslaved the black African people, that they didn't murder, for themselves and the Atlantic slave trade. Is that acceptable to you because they are "beautiful warriors"? Please do your homework, and be enlightened about what the true human story actually was.

[@knessing7681]

Your ignorance is showing sister.

[@Al-Rudigor]

@@knessing7681 Carol Bryan? A play on the name Carolyn Bryant of Emitt Till infamy?

[@WolfHeathen]

This is about as historically accurate as Roots.

[@staciestacie1327]

Oh my loving God. I don't know "Braveheart", but I'll never NOT KNOW "The Woman King" This movie is awesome. So layered. Viola and Cast ... you did the damn thing!!! I don't know Braveheart, but I'll never NOT KNOW "The Woman King"

[@rey6708]

just that they rewrite history as the opposite of how it actually happend kek

[@z0eie]

that was great! loved the energy and vibe you took into that!

[@icefairy514]

Movie was 🔥

[@Hunter_Brandon]

Movie was 🗑

[@LadyBella881]

@@Hunter_Brandon how old are you? do you have a job? the fact that you're under every comment of someone who enjoyed the movie shows just how unhappy you are in real life. LOL

[@arlenebarbee8306]

The Woman King soooooooo Awesome 💕🌺🌷👑🏆🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Excellent commentary.

[@nicolebrown5987]

She is Kelly Rowland's doppelganger

[@all_things_futbol]

So many people have said that. Lol

[@kevinlowe4953]

AND THEY ARE BOTH VERY BEAUTIFUL 😍😍😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ajordan1847]

She's beautiful. ❤

[@marleanblair6007]

Beautiful.I saw no make up beauty in the movie of several females

[@troyluv9089]

If any1 had to play Kelly Rowland on Destinys Child bio pic.... Thusoooooooooo!!!!

[@Jwa-fo6nb]

I love how supportive he is as a black man to these beautiful women

[@nicholascolquhoun3098]

The haters grudge us for black panther and now they are grudging us for this great historical beautiful made movie by beautiful ,talented, African skin cast females !! Well done cast of " the woman king " !! This movie needs to be released in the Caribbean community to help motivate some of my African descent sisters who really need some moral booster right now from the grip of mental slavery !!

[@jeffslote9671]

Expect the women in movie sold your ancestors

[@knessing7681]

there's nothing "historic" about this movie ... it's a fictional story that sanitize and glorify an actual tribe of african slavers. The person that is under "the grip of mental slavery" is you ... as your ignorance is showing

[@Too-Odd]

This movie aggrandizes the Dahomy people that literally butchered other humans and enslaved black African people for themselves and the Atlantic slave trade. Are we haters because we refuse to ignore this history even though the main characters are strong black women? How is that beautiful? How do we tell our children that this is acceptable?

[@WolfHeathen]

Talk about generalizing. The criticism of this movie comes 90% from the black community. 90% of the praise of Black Panther comes from the black community. Make up your mind. Do black people love black heroes and hate slavery, or do they hate black heroes and love slavery?

[@Al-Rudigor]

@@WolfHeathen yeah, but no. Don't try to compare this trash to black panther. That's like when feminists, LGBT, and many others try to link their causes to the black civil rights movement. It's not the same. Keep our name (fba) out of your mouths! You only care about us when you can use us.

[@johnadedayobamideleadegboyega]

Thanks for the love and support you showered on me, it's been a wonderful year having fans like solidly behind me, this is my way of saying thank you to the people who brought me this far. I hope you neverstop watching my videos.. You are very beautiful and you seem to be a very nice person... Do you have a big heart? Are you honest and caring, loving personality

[@cynthiatramil6579]

I saw myself in each character that I’ve seen it 26 times

[@cynthiatramil6579]

That’s why I’ve seen it 26 times - correction from above

[@tpmash]

Thuso 😊❤️! Anyone knows why she has a Tswana name although she’s from KZN?

[@staceyd.1560]

The movie was soooo great

[@Too-Odd]

Great for revisionist history that aggrandizes murderous slavers. I have to ask you if you empathized with the Waffen SS as they raided the Jewish ghetto in Schindler's List. Were they soooo great too?

[@lisalee3067]

Awesome movie.

[@Jwa-fo6nb]

Loving how their speaking on the hardships black women go through today and in the past and how we are overcoming them by our own strengths

[@HwandePromise-gd8ol]

You are a genius!!! keep it up ma

[@daniellebrooks7510]

Great movie loved it

[@yandy3419]

I can't wait to watch this movie... In south Africa its showing on the 30th September 2022... I can't wait 🖤🖤🖤

[@jonathanhuni9433]

VIOLA N THUSO Best actors

[@dekapwt5618]

But Thank You For Loving Me 🙏❤️❤️❤️🙏

[@bluev38]

Go Viola, it was the best!

[@Too-Odd]

Now read about who these people really were.

[@beatpirate8]

Bravo to these women!

[@taneil408]

Going to see the movie

[@chbry1050]

Please make it a girls trip you love it more

[@renewilson2540]

This is a good movie!

[@Hunter_Brandon]

I liked the part where they didn’t bring up how the Dahomey fought against the British to preserve their freedom to own and sell African slaves.

[@basheerahjongweni6458]

I love Thuso & super happy for her success but am I the only South African who thinks she should go easy on the American accent 😅. Sorry to compare but the way Trevor has maintained his accent post America is SO refreshing 🎉

[@sanmak3283]

She probably needs to practice the accent if she wants to be in American roles & grow her craft, like Charlize & Lupita. Otherwise she’ll keep on only getting these roles where she only plays an African. Trevor is not an actor. Let’s give her a break. Do you also complain about Lupita & Charlize?

[@ekiamediambedeka5188]

@@sanmak3283 Oh, there are great African histories not yet told and filmed and she would just be perfect for it. The African audience is huge. Then again, she is an African and what is wrong with her playing as such?

[@ekiamediambedeka5188]

For me, where required, as long as she can speak in movies like an African or has her South African accent all is fine with her. She is representing her country and our African content top notch.

[@basheerahjongweni6458]

@@sanmak3283 didn't think of it that way but also they've (Charlize & Lupita) been there longer anywho to each their own ✌🏾

[@sphak2306]

Leave the girl alone

[@WolfHeathen]

What many people seem to conventiently forget is that the main actor hired to play the lead left after actually learning about the Dahomy.

[@harborviewoperations6291]

Well, Viola did an awesome job

[@jenniferc8913]

And the movie STILL got made. Lupita N'yongo is one of my most favored actresses and she has the autonomy to choose roles that speak to her. The nuances of this subject is meant to bring discussion, but it doesn't devalue it as a movie. Representation matters and this film broaches so many issues in both Hollywood, history and the world. History books are our teachers, not Hollyweird films.

[@Bella-sj7us]

Thuso

[@edwinskhosana9237]

Thuso Mbedu has an American accent now😂😂

[@yamkelasanelisiwengceke3922]

She had to learn it for her first role Cora what what, maybe it kind of stayed with her since then.

[@tpmash]

Yip! It’s needed for her job! Like Charlize Theron

[@troyluv9089]

She has to get the accent... The mama is workiiiiiing child!

[@dekapwt5618]

Dreams..Tired..😔😔

[@Leif208]

Viola Davis: "Most of the story if fictionalized. It has to be... We have to entertain people. If we just told a history lesson... that would have been a documentary... If people want to learn more, they can investigate more." And, as people have investigated, we found your movie was the exact opposite of true history.

[@soniacosta8397]

So the objective has been fulled! Now continue your journey in history investigation! Don’t expect to learn history with Hollywood movies 🤓

[@thelambliesdownongenoa1831]

These comments are hilarious😂

[@thabisohitchdladla]

Thuso Mbedu

[@johnsiverls116]

thé next one could be thé Roman invasion of ancient Kush or thé Kingdom south of Egypt .They repelled thé Roman légions and its historical

[@nunyabusiness3516]

YESSSS!!!! Queen Amanereas (spelling?) I can't wait for that one

[@madamelovely1211]

We need Nzinga

[@Jwa-fo6nb]

Yes that movie was on the side of black women thats why so many people hate it but who cares, its not going to stop us from achieving are goals

[@tom2gunzbombadil689]

Im curious, and being dead serious.. ive also watched multiple docs on the tribe and plot of the movie. Seems like 2 different tribes and context. To be fair I haven't seen the movie. Because this movie seems like a farce to me. But if im wrong I need the truth..

[@moni_artist]

We don’t know what you think is a farce 🤷🏾‍♀️ That they existed? That they fought? What’s the farce part?

[@chbry1050]

Go watch it

[@tom2gunzbombadil689]

@@moni_artist because everything I've read, every "documentary", everyone outside the movie all says the same thing. They were THE worst slavers of the era in Africa. John Boyega character was literally named The Slave King. They were savages n fought to keep slavery going even when everyone else was changing. They did human sacrifice, killed women and children ect. Brutal tribe... n their all female army got obliterated by the French. They weren't some super soldiers. That doesn't sound anything like what they're describing up there.. I know Hollywood isn't always historically accurate but this sounds like its being twisted to say the least.

[@kathleentate8343]

@@moni_artist They left out, notorious, violent slave traders. If we glorify this movie, then we need to celebrate the southern generals. They seem, the same

[@malleoustartarus4118]

You are right the movie is pure crap and you are right on point with your history. This movie attempts to show the Dahomey as trying to free slaves this is just absurd. The fact is the people who love this movie couldn't care less about the fact they have lied all they care about is seeing black actors and seeing a girl power movie. They are nothing but hypocrites. None of them would watch a film that shows the KKK or Nazis in a positive light. They are dishonest people and full of crap don't go see this foolishness. It should be boycotted

[@moni_artist]

Y’all do know that acknowledging the Dahomey involvement in the slave trade is NEVER hidden in this movie, right?

[@chbry1050]

You not watch the moviee

[@evanellis9178]

@@chbry1050 nah you didnt watch the movie if you think it doesnt acknowledge slavery (Spoiler alert: It does)

[@chbry1050]

@@evanellis9178 Yep address slavery and a lot of other things it wasn't about slavery per say it was about a group of women you didn't watch 🙄 You have no spoiler alert lier you not watched it

[@evanellis9178]

@@chbry1050 had a stroke reading this

[@chbry1050]

@@evanellis9178 Again you lied you didn't watch the movie

[@thokomasango2294]

They both actually look somewhat alike 🧐🥰💞

[@nim3408]

In a time of WS feminisim, I'm suspicious of ANY Sisterhood movie that counts marginalized MEN as the enemy. We don't rewrite His/Herstory to fit an agenda.

[@irenea5696]

I wish people would stop focusing on the missing truth factor of the Dahomey tribe during the transatlantic slave trade, and more on the empowering unity among the tribe. Most historical movies in Hollywood have been romanticized from telling the true debauchery of the protagonist in the story.

[@kristenariel5811]

The thing about it is that it’s not even a missing factor. It’s a very important part of the movie and they discuss it

[@zenzelai1822]

It's time we focus on the fact Dahomey fought against slavery with a Woman King against Europeans. This is groundbreaking.

[@Hunter_Brandon]

That’s not a fact though. The fact is that the Dahomey Kingdoms economy was dependent on selling their fellow Africans as slaves. The British blockaded the coast of Dahomey to force the king to abolish slavery, which he begrudgingly did in the 1800’s. You know you don’t know anything about African history.

[@kipwonder2233]

Uhhh...not so quick. This story is a FICTIONAL account of people who actually existed. It is NOT intended to be historically accurate.

[@Hunter_Brandon]

@@kipwonder2233 So why, in the promotion of the movie, does it say “based on true events”? Also, the plot of the movie is that the Dahomey are fighting against the Europeans for their freedom. In reality, the Dahomey fought against the Europeans to preserve their slave economy. This movie is basically trying to imply that the abolitionists are evil, while the slave traders are the good guys. How do you spin that? Would you be excusing a movie that painted the Northern Union army as evil invaders while the southern confederates were portrayed as heroic and sympathetic?

[@cocoalaux4495]

@@Hunter_Brandon Always you people trying to steal our joy…. This movie is amazing and does not hide their involvement in the slave trade. I don’t think this movie was supposed to based on total facts. But it was more focused on the skill, unity, and strength of these black female warriors. That is the main focus of the movie….. also this movie has gotten people talking and asking questions. We are finally acknowledging some of our negative past. By doing this we can finally heal some of the trauma’s the black community has faced. It’s not something to be ashamed of or angry about…. Nonetheless this movie was such a beautiful story about the strength of black women….. so freakin good.

[@Hunter_Brandon]

@@cocoalaux4495 You people? Who is that? The ones who don’t thinks it’s cute to rewrite history to make slavers the good guys. I’m sorry that real life doesn’t fit your narrative of all blacks being heroes and all whites being evil, but in real life, the Dahomey sold and kept Africans in slavery while the Europeans fought battles to end it. Whatever other girl boss story line you got out of it is a sad afterthought. You needed a black girl magic movie so badly that Hollywood got you to support a project that’s the equivalent of whitewashing the evils of the confederacy. I get people like you are ignorant of their own history and don’t care about being propagandized, but all of us aren’t as easy to lie to as you are. I’m glad people like me are exposing you to the uncomfortable history you’re so scared of.

[@mr.grumpyg2769]

So making movie about slave owners is good

[@MMZS528]

research is where this film went wrong

[@poinky8]

It’s the mental gymnastics celebrating the life of the Slave Trader Queen which will take it out on you

[@siphamandlazwane9325]

Why she even speak like that amahloni kimi

[@shamelldavis31]

I'm so sick of this victim shit!!! I watch the movie i fucking loved it it made my daughter cry not because she could see her self on screen. But because the writers knew how to pull the right strings. Please just let the film stand on its own without out all of the victim narrative an shaming white ppl if they don't go see it.

[@nonkululekodambuza6237]

Thank you

[@junglelilly208ify]

Culturally, “clown” is not a word that Black Americans like to be called…

[@slicerneons3300]

A disgusting revision of history. Inauthentic and utterly callous to the thousands of lives that the evil dahomeybtribe massacred, sacrificed in pagan ritual, or enslaved and sold off. Shame on everyone trying to call this film based on historical events.

[@Too-Odd]

This movie aggrandizes the Dahomy Tribe that literally butchered other humans and enslaved the black African people they didn't murder. Are we supposed to ignore that history because the main characters are strong black women? How do we tell our children that is acceptable? Shame on you, Etalk for not doing your homework and being a party to this rewriting of this dark human history.

[@rUtHlOvE1415]

I agree 100%

[@BRDMPR]

This movie is not a history lesson or documentary

[@endless5soul]

put all that time into getting strong, spent no time at all to get wise on the role she was playing. yikes.

[@KtonV]

Maybe this movie will help black women come down off the top rank of being the heaviest weighing group.

[@malleoustartarus4118]

This movie should be boycotted. None of the people saying this is an amazing movie would go watch a movie that spins a positive narrative about the KKK or Nazis. The people supporting this film are all dirty liars, dishonest people, frauds and the nastiest of hypocrites. Sorry but I will never pay to see this. The actors involved should also be blacklisted you can't tell me that none of them did no research for their preparation for this film. They knew and willingly participated in this ridiculous film. Shame on them. They have disrespected all of their ancestors and brought shame to the descendants of African slaves everywhere. I will never go see any of the film from this day forth

[@nduduzomlambo8539]

I haven't watch the movie what do you mean?

[@LOSTONITALL]

Terrible movie. Comments by BOTS

[@harborviewoperations6291]

LMAOOOOO oh goodness