Viola Davis plays Michelle Obama in the new Showtime series The First Lady. Her work as Mrs. Obama drew criticism online, primarily for her facial expressions throughout the series.
When speaking to BBC News In promoting her memoir Finding Me, Davis said it was “incredibly hurtful when people say negative things about your work.”
She added a moment of self-reflection as you move on, quoting “you must.” Davis added, “Not everything will be an award-worthy achievement.”
But to those critics, Davis had an answer: “Critics serve absolutely no purpose. And I don’t mean that in a bad way either.”
Davis would add more of her take on the social media news about her portrayal of Mrs. Obama:
“They always feel like they’re telling you something you don’t know. Somehow you live a life where you are surrounded by people who lie to you and “I will be the person to bend down and tell you the truth” so it gives them the opportunity to be cruel to you. But ultimately, I feel it’s my job as a leader to make bold decisions. Win or fail, that is my duty.”