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67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Press Room

Source: Jason LaVeris / Getty

If there’s one thing we love most about Viola Davis, it’s her delightful and classy demeanor.

The actress opened up to The New York Times about her legendary Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy win and responded to criticism from General Hospital star Nancy Lee Grahn, who claimed Davis has never faced any kind of discrimination in Hollywood. The How To Get Away With Murder star’s speech centered around Black actresses and the need for more diverse roles in the industry.

Davis said she’s aware some people didn’t feel included.

“If there has been any backlash, it’s that all people want to feel included in a speech. I know there has been some backlash with an actress who didn’t feel she was included,” she said.

Grahn has since apologized for her Twitter tirade, saying she realized her White privilege was more relevant than she believed it to be. Backlash from Grahn’s statements sparked debate after unearthed tweets revealed she supported Patricia Arquette’s Oscar speech of the same pedigree earlier this year.

With ease, Davis continued her talk with NYT, using the opportunity to share her message: actresses of color must receive a fair chance to use their talents in Hollywood. With herself and Kerry Washington taking on producer roles, she’s hopeful the racial makeup will improve one project at a time.

“Women are bold! And now that I’m producing, I’m seeing what’s happening behind the scenes with people like Alfre Woodard, with people like Sanaa Lathan, with Taraji P. Henson, with Kerry Washington. These are all women who are producing their own material. They know their beauty, they know their talent. The women I know don’t accept the statistics anymore. They don’t accept the numbers as cementing their future,” she continued.

Davis returned to the small screen as Annalise Keating for HTGWM‘s season two premiere last Thursday evening.

What do you think of Davis’ response to Grahn? Sound off in the comment section below.

SOURCE: The New York Times | VIDEO CREDIT: Inform 

SEE ALSO: 

Morris Chestnut On Why Taraji & Viola Are The Sexiest Women On TV

Viola Davis Covers Variety In All Her Natural Black Girl Glory

Here’s Why Viola Davis Name-Dropped These 6 Talented Actresses During Her Emmy Speech

Viola Davis Just Shut Down The Soap Star Who Came For Her Emmys Speech  was originally published on newsone.com

For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.