Viola Davis opens up about childhood trauma in new memoir
‘Finding Me’ will be released on 26 April
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Viola Davis opens up about a childhood of bullying and trauma in her forthcoming memoir.
Finding Me, released on 26 April, details how the How to Get Away with Murder star grew up in a dilapidated, rat-infested building and had to sift through bins for food.
“People are constantly asking, ‘So how did you get from Central Falls, Rhode Island? Oh, you grew up poor? Really?’ And then you start your story,” Davis said in an interview with People. “And you’d say it again and again.”
The Tony, Oscar and Emmy award winner admitted that she had “an enormous existential crisis” before deciding to write her memoir.
“I was still hiding a huge part of my story. It’s almost like I reinvented all of the things that I wanted to and tossed away the rest of it,” she said.
The memoir also details how Davis was incessantly bullied by boys who would throw rocks at her for being Black, and the abuse she, her sisters and mother experienced at the hands of her alcoholic father.
“Everything I’ve experienced is what connects me to the world. It’s given me an extraordinary sense of compassion,” Davis said. “It’s reconciling that young girl in me and healing from the past — and finding a home.
“You know when you look at pictures down memory lane, and you see it differently? I’m looking at little Viola, and I see how strong she was and how she was just a spitfire,” Davis said.
She added: “I think that’s why I wrote the book. That if I somehow explored it, unpacked those memories, resolving them, that somehow I could find my peace.”
Finding Me will be released on 26 April
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments