Viola Davis' portrayal ofMichelle ObamainThe First Ladyhas been subjected to a heap of criticism.
The 56-year-old Academy Award winner spoke to BBC News about the negative feedback she’s received, saying that it is “incredibly hurtful when people say negative things about your work.” But she also feels that criticism is an “occupational hazard” of acting.
“How do you move on from the hurt, from failure? But you have to,” she said. “Not everything is going to be an awards-worthy performance.”
Perchatter on Twitter, many who have tuned in to watchThe First Lady— which premiered April 17 on Showtime — mockedthe “exaggerated” waysin which Davis pursed her lips. Several people agreed withone user’s sentimentthat Obama, 58, “did not purse her lips THAT much” and that Davis “should [not] do that in every scene,” calling it a “bad performance.”
Another personeven jokedthat Obama, 58, “press charges against” Davis after she “did her DIRTY.”
Jackson Lee Davis/SHOWTIME; YURI GRIPAS/AFP/Getty
Jackson Lee Davis/SHOWTIME
Davis also argued that playing someone as known as Obama is “almost impossible” because “either you’re doing too much or not enough.”
Asked whether Obama, herself, has an opinion on the matter, Davis said: “I don’t have any personal contact withMichelle Obama.”
The new Showtime drama examines American leadership through the perspective of three iconic First Ladies. Alongside Davis,Michelle Pfeifferalso stars asBetty FordandGillian AndersonasEleanor Roosevelt.
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Recently, Davis — who is also a producer on the show — said portraying Obamabrought “stress” her way.
“Everybody lovesMichelle Obama,” she said onJimmy Kimmel Live. “They know what she sounds like, they know what she looks like. And I’m like, ‘I don’t wantMichelle Obamacalling me, cussing me out.'”
The First Ladyairs Sunday at 9 p.m. on Showtime.
source: people.com
