Viola Davis is very open with her mental health journey and the therapy she has worked through to deal with past traumas. To counterbalance, Viola spent one summer in Africa with dance choreographer Chuck Davis, studying the Wolof Jola, Mandinka, and SouSou tribes. Publication dates are subject to change (although this is an extremely uncommon occurrence overall). Objectively speaking, Finding Me is a powerful story; it's not an easy one to read, as it's one born in pain and violence.

I do not consume either on a large scale so I was unaware of the lack of respect for those that often did theater. a little luck (impossible without the work), ‘very’ interesting details about the BUSINESS of being a working actor …. I have loved this actress for a long time based solely on her skills as an actress, but now I am doubly impressed. Davis begins at the beginning: born on a South Carolina plantation (truly), she shortly moved with her mother and alcoholic father to Central Falls, Rhode Island, where she grew up in dire poverty.

I think it’s always nice to see who public figures or stars are behind the image we create and this glimpse behind the image did not disappoint. I enjoyed too her journey of growing up and getting out of that household, to develop into the talented and amazing actress she is today.

This must be one of the most straightforward and brutally honest memoirs I have had the pleasure of reading. I’m baffled at just how powerful — brutal - heart wrenching- heartbreaking - heart stopping - and deeply, profoundly ‘soul’-generous Viola Davis is…. She highlights the brutal racism she had to deal with as a child, the abuse she faced from family members, what it was like to grow up in poverty, and her deep desire to make something more out of her life. She wants you to understand that even winning this fight is not enough, because what matters most is coming to terms with all you’ve been through to experience true freedom.we were the baton they were passing as they were sinking into the quicksand of racism, poverty, Jim Crow, segregation, injustice, family trauma, and dysfunction. I cheered for her, had my heart burn with pride and joy learning she's finally getting the love and life she deserves. All the attributes that are attached to being a woman-desirable, vulnerable, needing to be rescued-don't apply to us. Viola Davis walking us through her most difficult parts of her life and the most rewarding moments was such a delight to listen to! Viola is as unwavering with the recollection of her own pain and trauma as she is wholehearted with the reminiscence of her hope and healing.

Hotjar sets this cookie to know whether a user is included in the data sampling defined by the site's pageview limit. To the lioness hard working kick ass, talented, determined, authentic powerhouse inspiring human being…. As an adult, when the economy crashed, I was at the mercy of my family, especially my grandmother; things could have been a lot worse without her. In addition to being a story about Viola's personal journey, this memoir can serve as a primer for aspiring actors, because it provides information about what to expect and how to maneuver in show business.In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever. The Davis family also lived in grinding poverty: they often went hungry; didn't have coins for the laundromat; lacked heat and telephone service; and had rats all over the apartment. Nevertheless, Viola persevered and graduated after five years, part of it spent in the theater program at the California Polytechnic University in Pomona, on a student exchange plan. I feel we should be responsible to listen to her story with open ears and let it all resonate with us because what Viola has written here is so intense and important.

She is one of six children, grew up in a crowded home where her dad was abusive to her mom, and her and her siblings often went hungry and unclean.

Privation affected Viola's health as well, and some time later she had fibroid surgery and a hysterectomy. The level of courage and bravery needed to overcome some of the things Viola has experienced is extremely high.