Viola Davis Opens Up About The 'Darkness' And Stigma Of Growing Up In Poverty | Sunday TODAY

Oscar winner Viola Davis has a storied road through Hollywood, having grown up poor but leaving her mark across stage and screen. In this week’s Sunday Sitdown, the “Fences” star talks to Willie Geist about her work on the new documentary “A Touch of Sugar” to raise awareness of diabetes.
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Viola Davis Opens Up About The 'Darkness' And Stigma Of Growing Up In Poverty | Sunday TODAY

[@vjpaddy2010]

Viola is such a classy lady and a great actress

[@gracegirl6635]

Totally, I would love to see her write her autobiography about her childhood.

[@synthiasimms4608]

​@@gracegirl6635 You talked it into existence. Finding Me.😊

[@oliviapeters346]

Her humility,it is palpable!!! That is not what she sees in herself but what others see in her......she is humble!! So happy for her 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@araisininthesun5958]

"Everything in my life is to be celebrated." The motto of my life. I literally thank God for every piece of bread I put in my mouth; every time I turn on my tap and (clean) water runs out, every time I flip the switch, and the light comes on, etc. I take not one thing for granted.

[@wanZ...]

Okayyyyyyyy?!!!

[@bellalee6927]

Amen

[@aquafina6544]

I love her! She is a PHENOMENAL actress!

[@BriaBarrows]

She is by far my favourite actress. She is the epitome of strength. She pours her soul into every role.

[@lakiiamccall3051]

"When I open my refrigerator. When I flush my toilet. When I can put a robe on. When I have hot running water." - The little things that we can so easily take for granted, she never forgot that there once was a time when she didn't have them. There is power in gratitude.

[@m.l.r9139]

Very beautiful woman inside and out 💖

[@meekyw.4010]

Yes, she is!

[@douglasthompson1988]

I remember her as the mom in “Antwone Fisher “, absolutely riveting!

[@mariatirado1924]

Ms. Davis, please continue to speak your truth with such candour. My mother is from Durham North Carolina. She speaks of the appreciation of hot water and a gas stove. My grandmother was illiterate but made sure my mother learned to read. Mom often speaks of the appreciation of her literary. When you spoke so candidly about poverty, it gave me a new understanding of my mother. Thank you for this interview and wish you continued success.

[@Virginiasthilaire]

I listened to her story over and over again. I got so inspired by her story that I kept saying I want to meet her. Willie I want to meet her! I put her story on my business page Virginia’s Health Lifestyle because I want people to see where there is hope,there is Faith and where there is Faith miracles happens . Thank you 🙏 for bringing her story to my living room 🙏👏💕

[@jackybrown78]

Amen 🙏

[@sunshinesunflowerz1647]

Virginia St.Hilaire Keep putting it out into the universe

[@fgbowen]

Yes - couldn't agree more. Very well said.

[@lisettegarcia]

You will meet her. I have no doubt. I dreamed of meeting Maya Angelou and suddenly one day someone had a ticket to her talk they couldn’t use and through a random series of G-d-incidences, Ms. Angelou wound up striking up a conversation with me at the event. Life is powerful if you live it. Good luck!

[@celestesobers8697]

Amen.

[@homebody6353]

Viola was too deep for this interviewer, knocked his boots right OFF😂🗣❤️

[@loruhamahmurphy5966]

yes she is

[@tanyabrown6969]

I love her. She's so real. No airs. Beautiful inside and out.

[@candywilliams7475]

I'm a huge fan. Love her spirit and her talent as an actress.

[@ananascarpenter]

Viola always moves me (to tears), what a remarkable person she is and what a beautiful performer. Thank you so much for posting this video. And her quote "The elixer is, living a life that is bigger than you" went straight to my core. I wrote it down for myself to look at it every day from now on.

[@the8thchurch461]

Agreed Ananas. That is inspirational. Living a life that is bigger than you. May we all be inspired to aim for the skies. Too many people leave the earth without even bothering to push themselves beyond and actually leave this world a better place for their family and wider society and the rest of the world. The movers and shakers of the world are always broke societal rules that sought to oppress them and put them in a box. We should all get out of the box because its too small to live in.

[@pauletteliggett8117]

I love Viola Davis. She is beautiful and a wonderful actress. She deserves every award she has received & many that she got pasted over for. She is an iconic actress.

[@lisettegarcia]

Iconic is overused - too often hyperbolically. But, in this particular case, it fits to a T. Thank you for putting a name to what I was feeling. 🌸

[@GenXsinglefree]

Ms V is so talented, yet humble. She's also fierce and candid, radiating joy, which is beautiful. Viola absolutely glows.

[@wellness285]

Love, love, love, love, love, ++++++++++ Viola Davis for her powerful spirit, caring, heart, and beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, presence!

[@fgbowen]

Yes - agreed. 100% she is those things. Special lady. Special person.

[@shanec9840]

I actually know the small town Viola was born in, it's not that far from me; and, the first African American to play cat woman, Eartha Kit, was also born on a near by plantation not too far from where Viola was born.

[@richardbullis6263]

Eartha Kitt

[@gilmoremccoy6930]

Great segment Willie, I loved every minute of it.💟👍

[@memecakes4436]

She’s so beautiful, humble and just phenomenal 💕💕

[@edwinvalentinocamacho7220]

love viola...touches my soul...

[@CherieButler]

She's the truth.and I'm glad she's getting her time in the light!

[@oeu3669]

Cherie Butler her time in the light! She IS THE LIGHT. And there’s no time limit on that ✨✨✨💫🌟🚀🚀🚀

[@immar1075]

She has always been one of my favorite. All the best in all you endeavor and thank you for decades of great entertainment.

[@TheSanoko]

I love Viola so much, she is a great person and a great actress

[@vw1649]

When you finally get it. Viola Davis gets it...know and understand your worth and be grateful in it.

[@theaword270]

She’s gorgeous, I love her!

[@beatnikrn2945]

She really is. She always looks phenomenal. I just love her fashion sense too!

[@nadaleenatasha]

Lovely story, all the best viola

[@j.m.5620]

She's on the same caliber as Meryl Streep. Viola is an amazing actress.

[@araisininthesun5958]

I absolutely love her!❤

[@bolawhaley3725]

Love her and such a thankful heart

[@jackiepeavy5505]

An attitude of gratitude so nice 😅

[@jennifermitchell3070]

I can relate to her.i I grew up poor also it was humiliating. You never think your going to escape it. I went to college and became a nurse. You have to be determined and work hard to have anything in life.And I am thankful and grateful for everything in my life. Never take anything for granted. Viola is a breath of fresh air, I really admire her honesty. Great actress.

[@forti70]

GREAT ACTOR! GREAT HUMAN BEING! LOVE HER SO MUCH! ❤️

[@NYMahogany]

Love Viola! such a genuine person

[@blacklivity]

She's a great actress!

[@fsd2696]

Love her. One of my favorites.

[@lindaross3966]

A Grateful heart is a thankful heart that lives in Joy

[@niki_iwa]

A miracle! proof that dreams do come true!

[@linacardona9741]

So inspiring, she’s so amazing 💕

[@MDWJS]

Love her. Amazing human and actor.

[@deescott8312]

Viola is beautiful, I love her on how to get away with murder

[@kstclair2275]

Great piece - she's a wonderful lady!!

[@champflowahbomb7630]

I never want her to stop. I am so proud of her ❤️💕💙

[@TheNewTomboy]

😭i love her so much!!!!!!! Viola is the best actress.

[@brucefowler2568]

Go, Viola! Incredibly beautiful and inspiring rise.

[@Chloe-sz2ho]

She is so amazing and such a talented actress💖

[@zrtopics2418]

I love Viola, she's amazing my favorite actress.

[@Sttephy30]

She's a brilliant woman and talent.

[@RD-kw7mk]

I admire her vulnerability and her openness. Inspiration

[@TaraColquitt]

Thanks for the podcast info. I love your interviews WG and will listen to others. Of course, VD never fails to inspire and motivate. ❤️

[@neemael]

She’s one hot lady…!

[@ericgaskins593]

I’m claiming my breakthrough in the name of Jesus🙏🏾. Focused on living a life bigger than me.❤️

[@lethiwembatha478]

a role model to many

[@GAM1990]

Her story is so inspiring ❤️

[@mamaafrica1838]

This women is so gorgeous ....

[@ramonadowning6102]

Wonderful actress!

[@yasminejasmine4368]

I love you Viola you deserve all of it and more.

[@ydschools9745]

Knew she was good when she had a small role on law & order back in the day

[@ldycop74]

Me too!

[@sonyabowles2149]

Omg, I was right. I did see her in law and order. I was watching this video thinking I've seen her in something besides The Help. I was like SVU? But I wasn't sure. Lol

[@nayragrazielle]

YAAAAS! I remember thinking: just make a tv show about this fierce and elegant lawyer already.

[@ydschools9745]

Yes I believe she was on law&order 3 times?

[@missshannon9790]

Total transformation right?

[@yankeeladee02]

What a truly special human being. Her gratitude for life makes her all the more inspiring and lovable. Viola is truly beautiful in every way...💛✨🏆✨🌟✨

[@eboneyjones9011]

I just love her!! 💞💞 she is GORGEOUS to me ! Her character is everything!

[@bethdixon3896]

Love Viola 💯🙏🏻♥️👑😍

[@colleyslimmaz4502]

Yaaaaaassssss girl....I always remember that "little girl" too. Thank you.

[@wandadacounselor3047]

My Favorite Celebrity😊 Ms. VIOLA DAVIS 💃

[@hsam6847]

One of Earth's Jewels

[@NAJErEa91]

AND NOW WHAT!? MY LAWD! PREACH QUEEN!!+

[@maximilianc9897]

Wow ! What an amazing woman. Very deep...

[@Acvasq]

I just love her! Anything she is in I am ready with my movie ticket!

[@GloriaDHall]

'Everything in my life is to be celebrated" and for me appreciated. I can certainly relate.

[@carolyn6689]

🙋CF girl here,We are so proud of you Viola ..There's a street in Central Falls named after her "Viola Davis Way"👑💃🏾❤

[@georgeoothoudt7358]

Thank you.

[@araisininthesun5958]

Any movie Ms. Viola is in, I will look at.

[@GS-st9ns]

Striking similarities. My mother was born to sharecroppers in North Carolina. After world war II my parents met somehow in Boston Massachusetts where we all grew up. The condemned building growing up as a child in the City of Boston and all of the things Viola mentioned I wouldn't made me strong. Maybe someday I'll get to buy that plantation in North Carolina. THE MERCER PLANTATION.

[@yknight4240]

Beautiful and class! And such a good actress I love her presence in movies very powerful.

[@eunicewilliams6963]

What a beautiful and amazing woman!

[@Rayleneg1]

Love, love, love and admire her

[@leroytrujillo11]

Nice interview Willie

[@wordsbymaribeja1470]

Thank you for the recommend You Tube, such a wonderful interview.

[@zenamatthews9380]

This made me want to cry!

[@nomfundoptuku3163]

So proud of you gal, im from South Africa ❤❤❤❤

[@sharonsmalls6846]

Wow!!

[@Bentleygirl7]

❤ Her!

[@kimmoore8023]

Awesomely Wonderful Lady/Woman of Color!

[@easyasdell1]

Ms. Davis is appreciative of the basics, because she knows what it is to be without them. I call that humility. I greatly admire her talent, beauty, class, dignity, & her humility.

[@kyabagyeesther3278]

I LOVE you VIOLA DAVIS

[@rethabilenxumalo9742]

I get chills when she speaks❤❤❤

[@TheLeslieTripathyLegacy]

Wow

[@kenyaseemenow]

I love Viola so much, she’s an amazing actress and person. Beautiful.

[@universalsoldier2293]

I absolutely adore this woman and always have!

[@christineboone2850]

Simply the best!

[@gayle2020]

Must see

[@denisefarrell5549]

Love, love, love her!

[@submissiveproviderstboth9485]

For me oddly it clean Clothes and towels to use because we didn't have those growing up!

[@fgbowen]

What an incredible blessing this is.

[@jeannine8400]

I love her. She's so amazing!

[@susankwan6229]

I love Viola Davis. ❤️

[@kego8736]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kaycar6804]

I remember her in Antoin fisher movie.

[@user-jd4qy1fd6m]

you see that connection she makes...some others just can't get that.

[@michaeld.williamsiii9026]

What an incredibly talented and Graceful woman....💝💜💝

[@Tina-ru3fn]

She’s just gorgeous. Inside and out.

[@Jevt7]

6:38 wow! I love how authentic and honest she is.

[@silverfish2341]

I love you , Viola. You re amazing.