Viola Davis made history on Sunday night at the Oscars, not just because she delivered another awe-inspiring speech after securing her part in Fences with the best supporting actress award.
However, as Variety notes, the success of Davis has actually made her the first black actress to win an Oscar, Tony, or Emmy to succeed — and now she’s just one Grammy away from an EGOT.
Of course, Whoopi Goldberg is one of the 22 members of the critically respected EGOT party — and on top of that, she was still the first black woman to have received an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony, and a Grammy. Yet Variety reports that for making the movie Thoroughly Modern Millie, Goldberg’s Tony is actually acting in it.
So, Davis was the first black performer with her victory to grab all three acting awards. Following her victory (and incredibly moving speech), Davis told backstage journalists that she was “overwhelmed.” She went on to say that growing up, she “wanted to be great at something,” and considered everything she had done a “miracle from Grace.” I love the history of my life.
I love the fact that I can go back and look at so many other women’s stories that came before me that obviously shouldn’t have lasted, because they did. And I’m really fond of my hair. I’m really fond of my voice. I enjoy my history. Sometimes all the way, I don’t want to be the spokesperson, but so be itThat’s how it works, right? Yet I— I was — at 51, I’m kind of enjoying myself.
