The more I'm pushed in a position of leadership and I know I have to be the mouthpiece for so many other people who can't speak for themselves, the more confidence I'm gaining.
Viola DavisRead
Acting came from growing up in dysfunction. I mean, a lot of great times, but a lot of dysfunction.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life experiences, particularly those filled with challenges, can inspire artistic expression.
Viola Davis reflects on how her experiences of growing up in a dysfunctional environment shaped her as an actor. Despite the struggles, she acknowledges that these diverse experiences contributed to her artistry, suggesting that both good and bad life moments can fuel creativity.
Themes
ArtCreativityDysfunctionLife ExperiencesActing
In practice
Example use cases
Sharing this quote during a panel discussion on the impact of personal history on creative work.
More from Viola Davis
All quotes βWhat excites me is just taking some time to breathe in life. The mundane is very exciting.
Viola DavisRead
I don't care if someone is new to acting or experienced in acting: you always learn something from them. It's just like people in life - whether they're young or middle-aged or old, you always learn something from someone.
Viola DavisRead
I don't see a lot of narratives written where a woman who looks like me gets to be beautiful and sexualized and upwardly mobile, middle-class, funny, quirky. They're very seldom written.
Viola DavisRead
And that's what people want to see when they go to the theater. I believe at the end of the day, they want to see themselves - parts of their lives they can recognize. And I feel if I can achieve that, it's pretty spectacular.
Viola DavisRead
There's no prerequisites to worthiness. You're born worthy, and I think that's a message a lot of women need to hear.
Viola DavisRead
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