because I didn’t want to be like my um like my ancestors and everyone else but
like my ancestors and everyone else but
like my ancestors and everyone else but I felt like my only two choices was to
I felt like my only two choices was to
I felt like my only two choices was to either make it or not I didn’t want to
either make it or not I didn’t want to
either make it or not I didn’t want to be a celebrity I didn’t want to be an
be a celebrity I didn’t want to be an
be a celebrity I didn’t want to be an entertainer I wanted to be an artist
entertainer I wanted to be an artist
entertainer I wanted to be an artist it’s gonna be too degrading and it’s
it’s gonna be too degrading and it’s
it’s gonna be too degrading and it’s going to be something that I can’t live
going to be something that I can’t live
going to be something that I can’t live with I can’t do it she’s an American
with I can’t do it she’s an American
with I can’t do it she’s an American producer and actress on stage screen and
producer and actress on stage screen and
producer and actress on stage screen and television her breakthrough film came in
television her breakthrough film came in
television her breakthrough film came in 2008 with her role as a supporting
2008 with her role as a supporting
2008 with her role as a supporting actress in doubt in 2012 she was listed
actress in doubt in 2012 she was listed
actress in doubt in 2012 she was listed by time as one of the 100 most
by time as one of the 100 most
by time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world
influential people in the world
influential people in the world she’s Viola Davis and here is my take on
she’s Viola Davis and here is my take on
she’s Viola Davis and here is my take on her top ten rules for success rule
her top ten rules for success rule
her top ten rules for success rule number three is my personal favorite and
number three is my personal favorite and
number three is my personal favorite and make sure to stick around all the way to
make sure to stick around all the way to
make sure to stick around all the way to the end for some special bonus clips
the end for some special bonus clips
the end for some special bonus clips also as viola’s talking if she says
also as viola’s talking if she says
also as viola’s talking if she says something that’s really meaningful to
something that’s really meaningful to
something that’s really meaningful to you really resonates with you please
you really resonates with you please
you really resonates with you please leave it in the comments below and put
leave it in the comments below and put
leave it in the comments below and put quotes around it so other people can be
quotes around it so other people can be
quotes around it so other people can be inspired as well
inspired as well
inspired as well enjoy
because I was brought up in such
because I was brought up in such challenging a such a challenging
challenging a such a challenging
challenging a such a challenging situation I think that it required me to
situation I think that it required me to
situation I think that it required me to live live a more examined life if I were
live live a more examined life if I were
live live a more examined life if I were to get out I have to dream big there was
to get out I have to dream big there was
to get out I have to dream big there was no room for failure and so therefore I
no room for failure and so therefore I
no room for failure and so therefore I couldn’t I couldn’t go the normal route
couldn’t I couldn’t go the normal route
couldn’t I couldn’t go the normal route um so I found myself at a very young age
um so I found myself at a very young age
um so I found myself at a very young age living that sort of life because I
living that sort of life because I
living that sort of life because I didn’t want to be like my um like my
didn’t want to be like my um like my
didn’t want to be like my um like my ancestors and everyone else who was like
ancestors and everyone else who was like
ancestors and everyone else who was like me they were you know everyone was
me they were you know everyone was
me they were you know everyone was either alcoholics or they lived in
either alcoholics or they lived in
either alcoholics or they lived in poverty they accepted their lot in life
poverty they accepted their lot in life
poverty they accepted their lot in life and I just felt like I didn’t want to
and I just felt like I didn’t want to
and I just felt like I didn’t want to live that way in anybody who wants to
live that way in anybody who wants to
live that way in anybody who wants to kind of stray from the pack I think has
kind of stray from the pack I think has
kind of stray from the pack I think has to lead a more exam in life I did what I
to lead a more exam in life I did what I
to lead a more exam in life I did what I had to do in order to make the dream
had to do in order to make the dream
had to do in order to make the dream work I made the commitment knowing that
work I made the commitment knowing that
work I made the commitment knowing that it always wasn’t going to be a smooth
it always wasn’t going to be a smooth
it always wasn’t going to be a smooth ride but I felt like my only two choices
ride but I felt like my only two choices
ride but I felt like my only two choices was to either make it or not and the
was to either make it or not and the
was to either make it or not and the knot wasn’t an option so I paid whatever
knot wasn’t an option so I paid whatever
knot wasn’t an option so I paid whatever money I needed to pay for the public
money I needed to pay for the public
money I needed to pay for the public transportation to get to acting school
transportation to get to acting school
transportation to get to acting school when I was 15 and I did whatever I had
when I was 15 and I did whatever I had
when I was 15 and I did whatever I had to do to get my um undergraduate degree
to do to get my um undergraduate degree
to do to get my um undergraduate degree in theatre I did the work and I knew
in theatre I did the work and I knew
in theatre I did the work and I knew that there was no skimping on the work
that there was no skimping on the work
that there was no skimping on the work well in third grade
well in third grade
well in third grade this kid was always teasing me I won’t
this kid was always teasing me I won’t
this kid was always teasing me I won’t mention his name but he was always
mention his name but he was always
mention his name but he was always teasing me calling me you nigga you
teasing me calling me you nigga you
teasing me calling me you nigga you black nigger it’s just every single day
black nigger it’s just every single day
black nigger it’s just every single day this is way way back when so so one day
this is way way back when so so one day
this is way way back when so so one day I said I’m going to get him he was a
I said I’m going to get him he was a
I said I’m going to get him he was a considered the fastest runner in Central
considered the fastest runner in Central
considered the fastest runner in Central Falls and I said I’m gonna beat your
Falls and I said I’m gonna beat your
Falls and I said I’m gonna beat your butt I’m gonna race you a tree
butt I’m gonna race you a tree
butt I’m gonna race you a tree you’re not the fastest running Central
you’re not the fastest running Central
you’re not the fastest running Central Falls I’m the fastest running Central
Falls I’m the fastest running Central
Falls I’m the fastest running Central Falls I probably flipped him the finger
Falls I probably flipped him the finger
Falls I probably flipped him the finger you know I was I was a vulgar kid too
you know I was I was a vulgar kid too
you know I was I was a vulgar kid too you know I could give it as much as I
you know I could give it as much as I
you know I could give it as much as I got it
got it
got it so at recess um we decided to race and
so at recess um we decided to race and
so at recess um we decided to race and the whole school was involved everybody
the whole school was involved everybody
the whole school was involved everybody in the school heard about it and all the
in the school heard about it and all the
in the school heard about it and all the boys and some of the girls are on his
boys and some of the girls are on his
boys and some of the girls are on his side just kind of just screaming for him
side just kind of just screaming for him
side just kind of just screaming for him and I had my three or four friends on my
and I had my three or four friends on my
and I had my three or four friends on my side and we lived in such abject poverty
side and we lived in such abject poverty
side and we lived in such abject poverty I remember that my we wouldn’t keep up
I remember that my we wouldn’t keep up
I remember that my we wouldn’t keep up the date with the shoes
the date with the shoes
the date with the shoes so my shoes were maybe a size too small
so my shoes were maybe a size too small
so my shoes were maybe a size too small and it was the dead of winter and I
and it was the dead of winter and I
and it was the dead of winter and I could never I couldn’t walk in the shoes
could never I couldn’t walk in the shoes
could never I couldn’t walk in the shoes I’d have to stop every two steps take
I’d have to stop every two steps take
I’d have to stop every two steps take the shoes off then put the shoes kind of
the shoes off then put the shoes kind of
the shoes off then put the shoes kind of back on and walk again they hurt my feet
back on and walk again they hurt my feet
back on and walk again they hurt my feet so bad and then my socks were so torn
so bad and then my socks were so torn
so bad and then my socks were so torn only top part of my socks were left so I
only top part of my socks were left so I
only top part of my socks were left so I said how am I gonna race him at recess
said how am I gonna race him at recess
said how am I gonna race him at recess but these shoes so I said I’m gonna take
but these shoes so I said I’m gonna take
but these shoes so I said I’m gonna take my shoes off take my socks off I’m gonna
my shoes off take my socks off I’m gonna
my shoes off take my socks off I’m gonna take my shoes off in the dead of winter
take my shoes off in the dead of winter
take my shoes off in the dead of winter in the concrete and I raced him and I
in the concrete and I raced him and I
in the concrete and I raced him and I beat him and I thought to myself it’s
beat him and I thought to myself it’s
beat him and I thought to myself it’s only been recently that thought to
only been recently that thought to
only been recently that thought to myself that everybody was cheering and
myself that everybody was cheering and
myself that everybody was cheering and cheering and he was saying you didn’t
cheering and he was saying you didn’t
cheering and he was saying you didn’t beat me it was a tie you didn’t beat me
beat me it was a tie you didn’t beat me
beat me it was a tie you didn’t beat me I said yes I did yes I did and then I
I said yes I did yes I did and then I
I said yes I did yes I did and then I got in trouble with the teachers for
got in trouble with the teachers for
got in trouble with the teachers for having my shoes off and um but nobody
having my shoes off and um but nobody
having my shoes off and um but nobody noticed that I didn’t have any shoes on
noticed that I didn’t have any shoes on
noticed that I didn’t have any shoes on and that’s it’s a metaphor for life
and that’s it’s a metaphor for life
and that’s it’s a metaphor for life because nobody knows that when you come
because nobody knows that when you come
because nobody knows that when you come to the race you don’t come with the same
to the race you don’t come with the same
to the race you don’t come with the same set of tools as everyone else that even
set of tools as everyone else that even
set of tools as everyone else that even when you come into the race with a
when you come into the race with a
when you come into the race with a deficit you still have to run the same
deficit you still have to run the same
deficit you still have to run the same race and that’s a metaphor I use for my
race and that’s a metaphor I use for my
race and that’s a metaphor I use for my career you know that you you can’t be
career you know that you you can’t be
career you know that you you can’t be perceived even as the black actress who
perceived even as the black actress who
perceived even as the black actress who doesn’t get the same kind of roles as
doesn’t get the same kind of roles as
doesn’t get the same kind of roles as white actors you got to run the same
white actors you got to run the same
white actors you got to run the same race
race
race you got to give the same quality
you got to give the same quality
you got to give the same quality performances you’ve got to have the same
performances you’ve got to have the same
performances you’ve got to have the same standard of excellence even though
standard of excellence even though
standard of excellence even though people know that you’re coming to the
people know that you’re coming to the
people know that you’re coming to the race in a deficit that’s just what life
race in a deficit that’s just what life
race in a deficit that’s just what life is about you know you know that’s all
is about you know you know that’s all
is about you know you know that’s all you have at the end of the day is your
you have at the end of the day is your
you have at the end of the day is your work and your integrity um at all costs
work and your integrity um at all costs
work and your integrity um at all costs I don’t care if it’s four scenes in a
I don’t care if it’s four scenes in a
I don’t care if it’s four scenes in a movie and I don’t care what it is that
movie and I don’t care what it is that
movie and I don’t care what it is that you have to infuse it with as much
you have to infuse it with as much
you have to infuse it with as much excellence as you can so when absolutely
excellence as you can so when absolutely
excellence as you can so when absolutely when I you know was able to work with
when I you know was able to work with
when I you know was able to work with Meryl Streep it was a dream come true
Meryl Streep it was a dream come true
Meryl Streep it was a dream come true and I knew that I had to step up my game
and I knew that I had to step up my game
and I knew that I had to step up my game you know you always get better when you
you know you always get better when you
you know you always get better when you work with people who are excellent you
work with people who are excellent you
work with people who are excellent you almost never get better when you work
almost never get better when you work
almost never get better when you work with people who are not excellent so
with people who are not excellent so
with people who are not excellent so when did that dream hit you if it’s
when did that dream hit you if it’s
when did that dream hit you if it’s hitting Genesis at five when did it hit
hitting Genesis at five when did it hit
hitting Genesis at five when did it hit you that you wanted to do this while
you that you wanted to do this while
you that you wanted to do this while Cicely Tyson autobiography of Miss Jane
Cicely Tyson autobiography of Miss Jane
Cicely Tyson autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman when I was seven years old that
Pittman when I was seven years old that
Pittman when I was seven years old that was it that was literally I can
was it that was literally I can
was it that was literally I can absolutely mark it definitively in 128
absolutely mark it definitively in 128
absolutely mark it definitively in 128 Washington Street in a rat-infested not
Washington Street in a rat-infested not
Washington Street in a rat-infested not mice infested rat infested condemned
mice infested rat infested condemned
mice infested rat infested condemned apartment building with almost no
apartment building with almost no
apartment building with almost no plumbing every once in a while the
plumbing every once in a while the
plumbing every once in a while the plumbing would work no phone lack of
plumbing would work no phone lack of
plumbing would work no phone lack of food most of the time no electricity no
food most of the time no electricity no
food most of the time no electricity no hot water but that one it was a sump it
hot water but that one it was a sump it
hot water but that one it was a sump it was summertime I believe and we had some
was summertime I believe and we had some
was summertime I believe and we had some electricity because we ran the wires
electricity because we ran the wires
electricity because we ran the wires through the other apartment we had that
through the other apartment we had that
through the other apartment we had that one TV that you put the aluminum foil on
one TV that you put the aluminum foil on
one TV that you put the aluminum foil on the antenna and I saw magic I saw craft
the antenna and I saw magic I saw craft
the antenna and I saw magic I saw craft and that’s what I wanted to do I want I
and that’s what I wanted to do I want I
and that’s what I wanted to do I want I wanted to be an artist mm-hmm I didn’t
wanted to be an artist mm-hmm I didn’t
wanted to be an artist mm-hmm I didn’t want to be a celebrity I didn’t want to
want to be a celebrity I didn’t want to
want to be a celebrity I didn’t want to be an entertainer I wanted to be an
be an entertainer I wanted to be an
be an entertainer I wanted to be an artist because that’s what I saw there’s
artist because that’s what I saw there’s
artist because that’s what I saw there’s always you always have to have a
always you always have to have a
always you always have to have a boundary as an actor for me you are not
boundary as an actor for me you are not
boundary as an actor for me you are not gonna see me naked
I’m not gonna get naked
I’m not gonna get naked i I’ve turned down a lot of money to get
i I’ve turned down a lot of money to get
i I’ve turned down a lot of money to get naked for this one television show that
naked for this one television show that
naked for this one television show that actually never made it but um because I
actually never made it but um because I
actually never made it but um because I said I’m not going to be able to live
said I’m not going to be able to live
said I’m not going to be able to live with this if this is kind of preserved
with this if this is kind of preserved
with this if this is kind of preserved and sell your Lord forever
and sell your Lord forever
and sell your Lord forever um but you always have to have a
um but you always have to have a
um but you always have to have a boundary of what you will or will not do
boundary of what you will or will not do
boundary of what you will or will not do now your boundary is different from my
now your boundary is different from my
now your boundary is different from my boundary because it’s like you start you
boundary because it’s like you start you
boundary because it’s like you start you weigh your choices and for me if it’s
weigh your choices and for me if it’s
weigh your choices and for me if it’s going to be – degrading and it’s gonna
going to be – degrading and it’s gonna
going to be – degrading and it’s gonna be something that I can’t live with I
be something that I can’t live with I
be something that I can’t live with I can’t do it I can’t do it and even I
can’t do it I can’t do it and even I
can’t do it I can’t do it and even I can’t even do a lot of roles where I
can’t even do a lot of roles where I
can’t even do a lot of roles where I cuss a lot I have to do an audition
cuss a lot I have to do an audition
cuss a lot I have to do an audition right there really really I mean but it
right there really really I mean but it
right there really really I mean but it was extraordinary amount of cussing I
was extraordinary amount of cussing I
was extraordinary amount of cussing I just couldn’t do it and I don’t feel
just couldn’t do it and I don’t feel
just couldn’t do it and I don’t feel like I’m that puritanical but it’s just
like I’m that puritanical but it’s just
like I’m that puritanical but it’s just too much for me
too much for me
too much for me so if you don’t have any boundaries then
so if you don’t have any boundaries then
so if you don’t have any boundaries then you’re gonna be a puppet you know and at
you’re gonna be a puppet you know and at
you’re gonna be a puppet you know and at the same time you have to live with
the same time you have to live with
the same time you have to live with yourself at the end of the day you know
yourself at the end of the day you know
yourself at the end of the day you know that’s something that actors people we
that’s something that actors people we
that’s something that actors people we do a lot because we want it so bad so
do a lot because we want it so bad so
do a lot because we want it so bad so we’re willing to do anything to get it
we’re willing to do anything to get it
we’re willing to do anything to get it um it’s good to have boundaries I think
um it’s good to have boundaries I think
um it’s good to have boundaries I think it’s really good I know that acting is
it’s really good I know that acting is
it’s really good I know that acting is not rocket science but it is an art form
not rocket science but it is an art form
not rocket science but it is an art form and what I find that as the time has
and what I find that as the time has
and what I find that as the time has gone on that people have kind of
gone on that people have kind of
gone on that people have kind of forgotten that it’s an art form I had a
forgotten that it’s an art form I had a
forgotten that it’s an art form I had a guy who drove my husband and I somewhere
guy who drove my husband and I somewhere
guy who drove my husband and I somewhere and he said that his brother was an
and he said that his brother was an
and he said that his brother was an acting coach and more and more young
acting coach and more and more young
acting coach and more and more young people are coming to him and saying just
people are coming to him and saying just
people are coming to him and saying just make me good enough to get the role yeah
make me good enough to get the role yeah
make me good enough to get the role yeah and I didn’t go in it for that and I’m
and I didn’t go in it for that and I’m
and I didn’t go in it for that and I’m not trying to make myself look good
not trying to make myself look good
not trying to make myself look good either but when I saw Cicely Tyson do
either but when I saw Cicely Tyson do
either but when I saw Cicely Tyson do Jane Pittman I wanted to be a crafts
Jane Pittman I wanted to be a crafts
Jane Pittman I wanted to be a crafts person I really understood that it was a
person I really understood that it was a
person I really understood that it was a craft that I wanted to transform in
craft that I wanted to transform in
craft that I wanted to transform in every role I wanted to be brave and now
every role I wanted to be brave and now
every role I wanted to be brave and now it’s gotten harder to do that when
it’s gotten harder to do that when
it’s gotten harder to do that when especially as your profile raises it
especially as your profile raises it
especially as your profile raises it gets hard
gets hard
gets hard I mean I don’t mean this on confusing
I mean I don’t mean this on confusing
I mean I don’t mean this on confusing when you talk to most actors they will
when you talk to most actors they will
when you talk to most actors they will tell you about it’s what I’ve always
tell you about it’s what I’ve always
tell you about it’s what I’ve always wanted to do love acting and I do love
wanted to do love acting and I do love
wanted to do love acting and I do love acting but it’s like any commitment you
acting but it’s like any commitment you
acting but it’s like any commitment you have periods where you fall out of love
have periods where you fall out of love
have periods where you fall out of love with it and along your journey as an
with it and along your journey as an
with it and along your journey as an actor there’s so many moments you fall
actor there’s so many moments you fall
actor there’s so many moments you fall out of love with it that you you wonder
out of love with it that you you wonder
out of love with it that you you wonder you forget why you wanted to do it and
you forget why you wanted to do it and
you forget why you wanted to do it and you wonder if this was really what you
you wonder if this was really what you
you wonder if this was really what you meant to do but basically it is a love I
meant to do but basically it is a love I
meant to do but basically it is a love I guess I think along the way I’ve
guess I think along the way I’ve
guess I think along the way I’ve questioned the commitment so those
questioned the commitment so those
questioned the commitment so those moments of questioning come when you’re
moments of questioning come when you’re
moments of questioning come when you’re doing work that’s not as interesting or
doing work that’s not as interesting or
doing work that’s not as interesting or they come even when you’re doing the
they come even when you’re doing the
they come even when you’re doing the Delian interesting stuff they come when
Delian interesting stuff they come when
Delian interesting stuff they come when I’m not doing things that are
I’m not doing things that are
I’m not doing things that are interesting they come when I’m doing
interesting they come when I’m doing
interesting they come when I’m doing something interesting I think and it’s
something interesting I think and it’s
something interesting I think and it’s not received well they come when the
not received well they come when the
not received well they come when the business strangles my love of it those
business strangles my love of it those
business strangles my love of it those are the moments that it comes and you
are the moments that it comes and you
are the moments that it comes and you forget why you love it you do and
forget why you love it you do and
forget why you love it you do and sometimes the memory lapse can last a
sometimes the memory lapse can last a
sometimes the memory lapse can last a long time and then you think okay
long time and then you think okay
long time and then you think okay there’s got to be something else it’s
there’s got to be something else it’s
there’s got to be something else it’s going to come in it that just comes in
going to come in it that just comes in
going to come in it that just comes in my life that’s going to wake me up in
my life that’s going to wake me up in
my life that’s going to wake me up in the morning um that’s the journey of an
the morning um that’s the journey of an
the morning um that’s the journey of an actor though I I guess that’s what it is
actor though I I guess that’s what it is
actor though I I guess that’s what it is I think what anything you love becomes a
I think what anything you love becomes a
I think what anything you love becomes a job mmm it hurts yeah doesn’t have that
job mmm it hurts yeah doesn’t have that
job mmm it hurts yeah doesn’t have that same and you know when you when you I
same and you know when you when you I
same and you know when you when you I mean obviously a lot of people just go
mean obviously a lot of people just go
mean obviously a lot of people just go through the life working for the weekend
through the life working for the weekend
through the life working for the weekend as the song says the exam but if you
as the song says the exam but if you
as the song says the exam but if you have things you’re passionate about that
have things you’re passionate about that
have things you’re passionate about that you’re working for that you know
you’re working for that you know
you’re working for that you know examining and finding it again he has
examining and finding it again he has
examining and finding it again he has this challenge we all go through a nice
this challenge we all go through a nice
this challenge we all go through a nice little session over
little session over
little session over and I guess that’s that’s what it is I
and I guess that’s that’s what it is I
and I guess that’s that’s what it is I went through that long kind of diatribe
went through that long kind of diatribe
went through that long kind of diatribe but really it’s no good but really
but really it’s no good but really
but really it’s no good but really that’s what it is you you you you
that’s what it is you you you you
that’s what it is you you you you question the passion you you you know
question the passion you you you know
question the passion you you you know it’s like any commitment you got to work
it’s like any commitment you got to work
it’s like any commitment you got to work on the passion to you got to work to
on the passion to you got to work to
on the passion to you got to work to keep bring the passion back with doubt
keep bring the passion back with doubt
keep bring the passion back with doubt which might be the first time that
which might be the first time that
which might be the first time that people in film necessarily really
people in film necessarily really
people in film necessarily really appreciated what you were doing your
appreciated what you were doing your
appreciated what you were doing your preparation for that was a strong
preparation for that was a strong
preparation for that was a strong astronomical amazing and so that is the
astronomical amazing and so that is the
astronomical amazing and so that is the last pre-health question if I can just
last pre-health question if I can just
last pre-health question if I can just ask you just to show the kind of work
ask you just to show the kind of work
ask you just to show the kind of work that you’re willing to do for even I
that you’re willing to do for even I
that you’re willing to do for even I think it was eight minutes of screen
think it was eight minutes of screen
think it was eight minutes of screen time which was deservedly rewarded with
time which was deservedly rewarded with
time which was deservedly rewarded with an Oscar nomination but I mean that is
an Oscar nomination but I mean that is
an Oscar nomination but I mean that is not a ton to work with and yet you made
not a ton to work with and yet you made
not a ton to work with and yet you made the most of it how did you what did you
the most of it how did you what did you
the most of it how did you what did you do to prepare for that one um well it’s
do to prepare for that one um well it’s
do to prepare for that one um well it’s based on a play so I read the play after
based on a play so I read the play after
based on a play so I read the play after I’ve read the play I said I don’t even
I’ve read the play I said I don’t even
I’ve read the play I said I don’t even understand this woman I don’t know why
understand this woman I don’t know why
understand this woman I don’t know why this got all this attention this woman
this got all this attention this woman
this got all this attention this woman wants a sacrifice her son and
wants a sacrifice her son and
wants a sacrifice her son and da-da-da-da-da and I had all the kind of
da-da-da-da-da and I had all the kind of
da-da-da-da-da and I had all the kind of responses that you would have with
responses that you would have with
responses that you would have with character that you didn’t understand but
character that you didn’t understand but
character that you didn’t understand but it’s being an actor you have to do
it’s being an actor you have to do
it’s being an actor you have to do investigative work you have to you have
investigative work you have to you have
investigative work you have to you have to make sure that when people are in the
to make sure that when people are in the
to make sure that when people are in the audience they understand you and they
audience they understand you and they
audience they understand you and they they ultimately feel something and so I
they ultimately feel something and so I
they ultimately feel something and so I had to write a bio which ended up being
had to write a bio which ended up being
had to write a bio which ended up being over a hundred pages I talked to people
over a hundred pages I talked to people
over a hundred pages I talked to people who had seen the play because I was
who had seen the play because I was
who had seen the play because I was doing a play at the same time and never
doing a play at the same time and never
doing a play at the same time and never saw the play I read the script probably
saw the play I read the script probably
saw the play I read the script probably I don’t know how many times so I
I don’t know how many times so I
I don’t know how many times so I literally study the script for four
literally study the script for four
literally study the script for four months before I finally got it like I
months before I finally got it like I
months before I finally got it like I had the aha moment and aha moment is we
had the aha moment and aha moment is we
had the aha moment and aha moment is we always want to feel that decisions are
always want to feel that decisions are
always want to feel that decisions are pretty we always want to believe that
pretty we always want to believe that
pretty we always want to believe that decisions are easy and sometimes they’re
decisions are easy and sometimes they’re
decisions are easy and sometimes they’re a Sophie’s Choice you know and sometimes
a Sophie’s Choice you know and sometimes
a Sophie’s Choice you know and sometimes a person’s motivations or absol
a person’s motivations or absol
a person’s motivations or absol lutely pure but to the outside eye they
lutely pure but to the outside eye they
lutely pure but to the outside eye they look very dysfunctional and I probably
look very dysfunctional and I probably
look very dysfunctional and I probably you know had the aha moment two days
you know had the aha moment two days
you know had the aha moment two days before I even started filming and I was
before I even started filming and I was
before I even started filming and I was really waiting for that aha moment cuz I
really waiting for that aha moment cuz I
really waiting for that aha moment cuz I said I’m gonna be opposite Meryl Streep
said I’m gonna be opposite Meryl Streep
said I’m gonna be opposite Meryl Streep and she’s gonna tell me a new a-hole and
and she’s gonna tell me a new a-hole and
and she’s gonna tell me a new a-hole and I do not want to look bad so um but I
I do not want to look bad so um but I
I do not want to look bad so um but I had that aha moment but I did my I did
had that aha moment but I did my I did
had that aha moment but I did my I did my work with that I can’t emphasize that
my work with that I can’t emphasize that
my work with that I can’t emphasize that enough you know because I I never want
enough you know because I I never want
enough you know because I I never want anyone to dismiss my talent listen I
anyone to dismiss my talent listen I
anyone to dismiss my talent listen I make it up on this screen and there are
make it up on this screen and there are
make it up on this screen and there are times when I may stink because it’s
times when I may stink because it’s
times when I may stink because it’s occupational hazard
occupational hazard
occupational hazard to not always be good but I never want
to not always be good but I never want
to not always be good but I never want anyone to say that she’s not an actress
anyone to say that she’s not an actress
anyone to say that she’s not an actress I’m an artist I consider myself to be an
I’m an artist I consider myself to be an
I’m an artist I consider myself to be an artist
artist
artist first and foremost and when I was given
first and foremost and when I was given
first and foremost and when I was given Annalise Keating I tell the story a lot
Annalise Keating I tell the story a lot
Annalise Keating I tell the story a lot that I saw the pilot and I was horrified
that I saw the pilot and I was horrified
that I saw the pilot and I was horrified cuz you know you got to look at yourself
cuz you know you got to look at yourself
cuz you know you got to look at yourself with my lashes and my you know little
with my lashes and my you know little
with my lashes and my you know little chubby waist that I thought was very
chubby waist that I thought was very
chubby waist that I thought was very chubby waist and I didn’t look the way I
chubby waist and I didn’t look the way I
chubby waist and I didn’t look the way I thought I would look I had an idea in my
thought I would look I had an idea in my
thought I would look I had an idea in my head when I thought of the adjectives
head when I thought of the adjectives
head when I thought of the adjectives sexy dynamic mysterious you know and I
sexy dynamic mysterious you know and I
sexy dynamic mysterious you know and I didn’t see sexy dynamic mysterious you
didn’t see sexy dynamic mysterious you
didn’t see sexy dynamic mysterious you know I need it we did the run but no but
know I need it we did the run but no but
know I need it we did the run but no but no but what I’m leading to is I I said
no but what I’m leading to is I I said
no but what I’m leading to is I I said why not and I think that that’s where it
why not and I think that that’s where it
why not and I think that that’s where it all begins
all begins
all begins is that question of why not why can’t I
is that question of why not why can’t I
is that question of why not why can’t I be sexy I reject the notion in the past
be sexy I reject the notion in the past
be sexy I reject the notion in the past that dark-skinned women cannot be
that dark-skinned women cannot be
that dark-skinned women cannot be beautiful I reject the fact that if I
beautiful I reject the fact that if I
beautiful I reject the fact that if I take my wig off and do a whole scene
take my wig off and do a whole scene
take my wig off and do a whole scene with my fro that somehow that that is
with my fro that somehow that that is
with my fro that somehow that that is taboo I reject the fact that I have to
taboo I reject the fact that I have to
taboo I reject the fact that I have to be a size two I reject the fact that I
be a size two I reject the fact that I
be a size two I reject the fact that I have to be likable I’d rather be
have to be likable I’d rather be
have to be likable I’d rather be interesting
interesting
interesting by the ass you know Robert De Niro in
by the ass you know Robert De Niro in
by the ass you know Robert De Niro in taxi driver James Gandolfini or you know
taxi driver James Gandolfini or you know
taxi driver James Gandolfini or you know or Anthony Hopkins that there you know
or Anthony Hopkins that there you know
or Anthony Hopkins that there you know dude were you concern that you will like
dude were you concern that you will like
dude were you concern that you will like a bull in Silence of the Lambs unit that
a bull in Silence of the Lambs unit that
a bull in Silence of the Lambs unit that somehow you but somehow you have to
somehow you but somehow you have to
somehow you but somehow you have to reject all the things that people have
reject all the things that people have
reject all the things that people have told you you were and I think it starts
told you you were and I think it starts
told you you were and I think it starts there that’s amazing and I don’t think
there that’s amazing and I don’t think
there that’s amazing and I don’t think you know who can follow that I don’t
you know who can follow that I don’t
you know who can follow that I don’t think it on that note
thank you guys so much for watching I
thank you guys so much for watching I made this video because Cheryl Chapman
made this video because Cheryl Chapman
made this video because Cheryl Chapman asked me to so if there’s a famous
asked me to so if there’s a famous
asked me to so if there’s a famous entrepreneur that you want me to profile
entrepreneur that you want me to profile
entrepreneur that you want me to profile next leave in the comments below and
next leave in the comments below and
next leave in the comments below and I’ll see what I can do I’d also love to
I’ll see what I can do I’d also love to
I’ll see what I can do I’d also love to know what was the most impactful part of
know what was the most impactful part of
know what was the most impactful part of this video for you what lesson resonated
this video for you what lesson resonated
this video for you what lesson resonated the most with you and you’re going to
the most with you and you’re going to
the most with you and you’re going to carry that forward into your life in
carry that forward into your life in
carry that forward into your life in your business please leave it in the
your business please leave it in the
your business please leave it in the comments below I’m going to join in the
comments below I’m going to join in the
comments below I’m going to join in the discussion I also want to give a quick
discussion I also want to give a quick
discussion I also want to give a quick shout out to Davina Lyons thank you so
shout out to Davina Lyons thank you so
shout out to Davina Lyons thank you so much for picking up a copy of my book
much for picking up a copy of my book
much for picking up a copy of my book your one word it really really really
your one word it really really really
your one word it really really really means a lot to me so thank you guys
means a lot to me so thank you guys
means a lot to me so thank you guys again for watching I believe in you I
again for watching I believe in you I
again for watching I believe in you I hope you continue to believe in yourself
hope you continue to believe in yourself
hope you continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is much love
and whatever your one word is much love
and whatever your one word is much love I’ll see you soon
in my mind I see a line and over that
in my mind I see a line and over that line I see green fields and lovely
line I see green fields and lovely
line I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with
flowers and beautiful white women with
flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that
their arms stretched out to me over that
their arms stretched out to me over that line but I can’t seem to get there know
line but I can’t seem to get there know
line but I can’t seem to get there know how I can’t seem to get over that line
how I can’t seem to get over that line
how I can’t seem to get over that line that was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s and
that was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s and
that was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s and let me tell you something the only thing
let me tell you something the only thing
let me tell you something the only thing that separates women of color from
that separates women of color from
that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity
you cannot win an Emmy for roles that
you cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there so here’s to all
are simply not there so here’s to all
are simply not there so here’s to all the writers the awesome people that have
the writers the awesome people that have
the writers the awesome people that have been shoreward Pauline Peter Nowak
been shoreward Pauline Peter Nowak
been shoreward Pauline Peter Nowak Shonda Rhimes people who have redefined
Shonda Rhimes people who have redefined
Shonda Rhimes people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful to be sexy
what it means to be beautiful to be sexy
what it means to be beautiful to be sexy to be a leading woman to be black and to
to be a leading woman to be black and to
to be a leading woman to be black and to the taraji P Henson’s the Kerry
the taraji P Henson’s the Kerry
the taraji P Henson’s the Kerry Washington’s the Halle Berry’s the
Washington’s the Halle Berry’s the
Washington’s the Halle Berry’s the Nicole Maharis the Megan Goods to
Nicole Maharis the Megan Goods to
Nicole Maharis the Megan Goods to Gabrielle Union thank you for taking us
Gabrielle Union thank you for taking us
Gabrielle Union thank you for taking us over that line thank you for the
over that line thank you for the
over that line thank you for the television Academy thank you what is
television Academy thank you what is
television Academy thank you what is there but a dream you can’t trade in
there but a dream you can’t trade in
there but a dream you can’t trade in your dream for another dream I am so
your dream for another dream I am so
your dream for another dream I am so proud to be back there and I think the
proud to be back there and I think the
proud to be back there and I think the Screen Actors Guild for this award
Screen Actors Guild for this award
Screen Actors Guild for this award and I have a special special note to the
and I have a special special note to the
and I have a special special note to the kids in Central Falls Rhode Island and
kids in Central Falls Rhode Island and
kids in Central Falls Rhode Island and Segway Institute of learning in Central
Segway Institute of learning in Central
Segway Institute of learning in Central Falls Rhode Island to dream big and
Falls Rhode Island to dream big and
Falls Rhode Island to dream big and dream fierce thank you very much so my
dream fierce thank you very much so my
dream fierce thank you very much so my question is Senator trucco did you have
question is Senator trucco did you have
question is Senator trucco did you have Trisha Stanley murdered
are you out of your mind Your Honor this
are you out of your mind Your Honor this is going on long enough you convince
is going on long enough you convince
is going on long enough you convince your tenant Linda Morelli to testify the
your tenant Linda Morelli to testify the
your tenant Linda Morelli to testify the Trisha Stanley was killed by her
Trisha Stanley was killed by her
Trisha Stanley was killed by her boyfriend David Allen way off base I
boyfriend David Allen way off base I
boyfriend David Allen way off base I recommend you rein this in explain why
recommend you rein this in explain why
recommend you rein this in explain why your eviction suit against miss Morelli
your eviction suit against miss Morelli
your eviction suit against miss Morelli was dropped despite her inability to pay
was dropped despite her inability to pay
was dropped despite her inability to pay rate is it because her lost rent money
rate is it because her lost rent money
rate is it because her lost rent money was nothing compared to the millions you
was nothing compared to the millions you
was nothing compared to the millions you made once miss Stanley was out of your
made once miss Stanley was out of your
made once miss Stanley was out of your way
way
way answer the question senator I was Linda
answer the question senator I was Linda
answer the question senator I was Linda Morelli granted these concessions to
Morelli granted these concessions to
Morelli granted these concessions to Chief Justice I have extended great
Chief Justice I have extended great
Chief Justice I have extended great deference to the court by showing up
deference to the court by showing up
deference to the court by showing up here today but I am NOT gonna put up
here today but I am NOT gonna put up
here today but I am NOT gonna put up with this any longer I’m sorry senator
with this any longer I’m sorry senator
with this any longer I’m sorry senator if you do not have the time to answer
if you do not have the time to answer
if you do not have the time to answer for who bore the real cost of your
for who bore the real cost of your
for who bore the real cost of your developer instruction not just Trisha
developer instruction not just Trisha
developer instruction not just Trisha Stanley and her boyfriend David Allen
Stanley and her boyfriend David Allen
Stanley and her boyfriend David Allen who served 21 years and drew runner
who served 21 years and drew runner
who served 21 years and drew runner pulling for the thousands who were
pulling for the thousands who were
pulling for the thousands who were displaced in the name of lightning your
displaced in the name of lightning your
displaced in the name of lightning your caucus TV majority who were poor
caucus TV majority who were poor
caucus TV majority who were poor powerless and didn’t bear the color of
powerless and didn’t bear the color of
powerless and didn’t bear the color of skin desirable to your business and your
skin desirable to your business and your
skin desirable to your business and your tour a community apart knew Tony Allen’s
tour a community apart knew Tony Allen’s
tour a community apart knew Tony Allen’s order you destroyed lives
order you destroyed lives
order you destroyed lives admit it miss unless you killed Trisha
admit it miss unless you killed Trisha
admit it miss unless you killed Trisha Stanley and had my client David Allen
Stanley and had my client David Allen
Stanley and had my client David Allen setup for her murder that is enough you
setup for her murder that is enough you
setup for her murder that is enough you hear me you say another word they’ll
hear me you say another word they’ll
hear me you say another word they’ll have no choice but to throw you in jail
beneath a dozen more me and Eileen done
beneath a dozen more me and Eileen done asked everybody we know 31 maze y’all
asked everybody we know 31 maze y’all
asked everybody we know 31 maze y’all too scared think we crazy well if we
too scared think we crazy well if we
too scared think we crazy well if we don’t get more we’re not getting
don’t get more we’re not getting
don’t get more we’re not getting published
published
published I got splitting Stowers mosquito just
I got splitting Stowers mosquito just
I got splitting Stowers mosquito just write them down and invent them a
write them down and invent them a
write them down and invent them a deserted y’all ready make it up name
deserted y’all ready make it up name
deserted y’all ready make it up name just make up the maze – we’re not gonna
just make up the maze – we’re not gonna
just make up the maze – we’re not gonna do that
do that
do that that would be wrong don’t give up on
that would be wrong don’t give up on
that would be wrong don’t give up on this mosquito it wouldn’t be real they
this mosquito it wouldn’t be real they
this mosquito it wouldn’t be real they kill my son
he fell carrying two about fours at the
he fell carrying two about fours at the mill truck all over him crushes along
the wife woman threw his body on back of
the wife woman threw his body on back of a truck drove to the color Hospital
a truck drove to the color Hospital
a truck drove to the color Hospital don’t land honk the horn
there was nothing they could do so I
there was nothing they could do so I brought my baby home laid him down
brought my baby home laid him down
brought my baby home laid him down that’s over right now he died right in
that’s over right now he died right in
that’s over right now he died right in front of me
he’s just 24 years old miss Kay the best
he’s just 24 years old miss Kay the best part of a person’s life anniversary of
part of a person’s life anniversary of
part of a person’s life anniversary of his death come every year I can’t
his death come every year I can’t
his death come every year I can’t breathe but the yawl is just another day
breathe but the yawl is just another day
breathe but the yawl is just another day abridge you stop this everything I wrote
abridge you stop this everything I wrote
abridge you stop this everything I wrote he wrote everything he was gonna die
he wrote everything he was gonna die
he wrote everything he was gonna die with them
”
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