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Oscar winning Viola Davis spoke on Thursday at the University of Kentucky

Mar 03, 2017

UK SAB

LEXINGTON, KY -- Viola Davis, who won an Oscar for her performance in the film "Fences," spoke at the University of Kentucky on Thursday.

Beth Barnes, a professor at UK, interviewed Davis at the Singletary Center for the Arts concert hall on UK's campus. Davis started off the night by speaking about her new movie "Fences," which is set to release on DVD on March 14. After being nominated for an Oscar three times, Davis finally won for her performance in "Fences."

Danielle Duncan, a sophomore at UK, said, "During the Viola Davis event I felt very honored just to be in her presence. As a woman of color, I feel like it is important to have role models like her that prove to us that we can accomplish our dreams if we put in the hard work."

Davis said that Cicely Tyson, the actress who plays her mother on "How to Get Away with Murder," is one of her inspirations. She also said that other actresses, like Jane Alexander, Colleen Dewhurst and Rosalind Cash, inspire her.

Davis also spoke about her character in "How to Get Away with Murder," Annalise Keating. She said that she did not like when people asked her what it was like to play such an "unlikable" character.

"One of the reasons I signed up for Annalise is because I don't think she's likable. It makes a huge statement about women in the 21st century. You've got to accept us for who we are. Who we are is good enough," Davis said, regarding her character in "How to Get Away with Murder."

Stephanie Wisniewski, a sophomore at UK, said, "I watch HTGAWM and I love her character and how well she does portraying Annalise Keating in the show."

Davis ended the night by answering questions from the audience via Twitter. When she was asked what piece of advice she would give to college students, she gave an inspirational answer. One piece of advice that stuck with the students was, "Don't compare yourself to anyone else," according to Duncan.

Davis won an Emmy for her performance in "How to Get Away with Murder" in 2015. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in the play adaptation of "Fences" in 2010.

The UK Student Activities Board had been trying to get Davis to come speak for several years, according to LexGo .

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

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