Viola Davis has earned dozens of awards over her celebrated career, from an Academy Award to an Emmy, but none has touched her as deeply as a recent moment with her daughter.
During a heartfelt interview on Good Morning America, the G20 actress shared how her 14-year-old daughter, Genesis, recently called her a real-life hero—an honor she says surpasses every trophy.
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While promoting her upcoming action thriller G20, which hits Amazon Prime Video on April 10, Viola Davis spoke candidly with co-anchor Michael Strahan. The How to Get Away with Murder star revealed that Genesis had an emotional response after watching the film.
“She was quite excited. She kept saying, ‘Oh my goodness. Mama, you’re doing great. You’re golden!’” Viola Davis recalled, smiling. “She cried. She laughed. It meant everything to me.”
For Viola Davis, the moment stood out even more because of the age her daughter is now entering. “Typically, during your adolescence, you just kind of disappear,” Davis joked. “They become zombies, and you become anything but a hero. But her sitting there looking at me like that… yeah. It was everything.”
Viola Davis discusses her new film, ‘G20’
Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, adopted Genesis back in 2011. In previous interviews with People Magazine, Viola Davis has spoken passionately about how motherhood gave her a sense of joy and fulfillment she never found in professional accolades.
“It was great, but it was not fulfilling,” she admitted. “I wanted my life to have deeper meaning. That’s when the urge struck—and it was strong. Now I have a child, and she is the light of our lives.”
Not only is Viola Davis a fierce force on screen, but she also champions individuality and self-love at home. She encourages Genesis to fully embrace who she is—whether she’s making TikToks, drawing, or exploring photography.
In a previous People Magazine interview, Viola Davis shared the powerful message she often gives her daughter: “I tell her, ‘Everything about you—even the parts you think others won’t like—makes up your beauty.’ I don’t want her to ever feel ashamed of who she is.”
With G20 set to debut, it’s clear that Viola Davis continues to break boundaries in Hollywood. Yet her daughter’s admiration proves that her most powerful impact might be happening far from the spotlight. While her role in G20 might show her strength on screen, it’s her bond with Genesis that reveals the heart behind the Hollywood icon.
Photo: Viola Davis Instagram
