Showtime, Getty Images
Viola Davis opened her mouth about criticism of her cruise-worthy character in the role of former First Lady Michelle Obama on the TV series Showtime. First lady.
Social media users picked up the Oscar winner for exaggerating Obama’s facial expressions at the premiere of the series.
Related: Viola Davis as Michelle Obama in ‘New TV Series’ was ‘terrified’
Earlier in an interview Vanity Fair Magazine, Davis, 56, said Michelle, 58, was “nervous” and “terrified” when she went to play.
“There’s a lot of fear that I’ve messed up Michelle Obama’s character,” Davis said at the April 14 premiere screening of the series.
“He is an icon. Everyone knows what she looks like and how she looks so I’m terrified. But I am mostly terrified of what he will think. I don’t want to insult her and let her call me. I have to make my sister look beautiful. “
Screencap: YouTube
But angry viewers have called Davis’s portrayal “insulting” and “offensive.” They also blamed the director for not instructing her to tone her facial expressions.
One person tweeted: “They set up Viola Davis with permission to keep her face like this throughout the filming. It’s so crucial and confusing. [sic]”
Davis did not apologize for his comments to BBC News.
“Critics don’t serve any purpose at all. And I’m not saying it’s nasty either.” Told BBC News.
“They always think they’re telling you something you don’t know. Somehow you’re living a life where you’re surrounded by people who lie to you and say, ‘I’m going to be the person leaning towards you and telling you the truth.’ “So it gives them a chance to be cruel to you. But in the end, I think it’s my job as a leader to make bold choices. It’s my job to win or lose.”
Davis suggested that playing Mrs. Obama was not easy. In fact, he said it was “almost impossible” to portray former President Barack Obama’s wife.
“Either you’re doing too much or not enough,” he said.
Davis admits he did not hear from Michelle. “I have no personal contact with Michelle Obama,” he said.
Despite Davis’s confident stance, friends have described the 56-year-old as “devastated” by criticism.
– Paul (ulspaulswhtn) April 17, 2022
