Viola Davis receives People Choice Award: Addresses Less Classically Beautiful comment

Viola Davis receives People Choice Award: Addresses Less Classically Beautiful comment

By Joshua D. Copeland

     Despite her amazing talent and acting ability, there have been mixed feelings about actress Viola Davis and her leading role in “How to Get Away with Murder.” In so many words, one could argue that the mixed feelings have something to do with her being dark-skinned, or older in age.  In fact there have been a few, like the slick reporter from New York Times, who called her “Less Classically Beautiful” after comparing Davis to Emmy-nominated actress Kerry Washington.

Nonetheless, Davis persevered, relying on her talents onscreen until she reached critically acclaimed greatness.  As she walked on stage to receive her award for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series at the 2015 People’s Choice Awards, every naysayer had been silenced once and for all.

“Thank you Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Peter Nowalk for thinking of a leading lady who looks like MY classic beauty,” she elegantly said in her speech.

The crowd cheers, not only in excitement, but at the poetic justice that took place at that moment. They root for her for the fact that she won the People’s Choice Awards, even after being labeled as Less Classically Beautiful.  They rejoice that Viola Davis’s acting ability proved to be superior to her looks, even though she is indeed quite beautiful.

She continues her heartfelt speech:

“I’m just so proud to be an actor and so happy to do what I do.  And I’m so happy that people have accepted me in this role at my stage, and at this stage in my career.  Thank you.”

The negative comments that people have said about Davis in the past has become irrelevant.              The people have spoken.  The New TV Actress award winner had the last laugh, though she chose the ladder in the classiest way possible.