Scorecard Research Beacon
Search Icon
Culture November 13, 2018

Viola Davis talks new film, 'Widows' and the epic life lesson given by her 8-year-old daughter: 'She teaches me a lot'

WATCH: Viola Davis says her daughter joined her on the set of 'Widows'

Viola Davis is taking on her latest role in the upcoming film, "Widows."

In the drama, the Oscar-winning actress plays a fierce widow whose husband and others were killed during an attempted robbery. Davis' character joins their widows to pull off a heist her husband was planning.

"The heist is just a metaphor for women saying, 'You know what? My life isn't working for me. I got to pay my bills, so I'm going to make it work. I'm going to take control,'" Davis said today on "Good Morning America."

PHOTO: Viola Davis on "Good Morning America," Nov. 13, 2018.
ABC
Viola Davis on "Good Morning America," Nov. 13, 2018.

YASSS @violadavis is here! pic.twitter.com/oqjyeaxjHT

— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 13, 2018

She went on, "That's what women have to do. You have a lot of single mothers out there, you have to pay the bills, dealing with no health insurance; they have to get it done. And this movie, you'll see. It's for the girls."

.@violadavis on new movie @widowsmovie: "The movie is all about taking ownership of your life...it's for the girls!" #GirlPower pic.twitter.com/2161oekfqe

— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 13, 2018

Davis, who is mom to Genesis, 8, said her daughter often accompanied her onto the set of "Widows" where she spent time with the cast and crew.

Looking back, Davis said Genesis once offered her sound advice after hearing her on the phone with her manager.

Editor's Picks

WIDOWS star @ViolaDavis is here! #WidowsMovie pic.twitter.com/2Mp8DTrkCI

— Widows (@WidowsMovie) November 12, 2018
PHOTO: Viola Davis, a cast member in the film "Widows," posing for a portrait at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Sept. 9, 2018.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Viola Davis, a cast member in the film "Widows," posing for a portrait at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Sept. 9, 2018.

"[We were] haggling over something and she said, 'Mommy, put the phone down. I got to tell you, don't let anybody put their life into your life. If they put their life into your life, you have to tell them to get out because they don't have the pass-code,'" Davis said her daughter told her.

"I put the phone down and I said, 'Genesis, say that again so I can write it down.' She teaches me a lot."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Viola Davis (@violadavis) on

Davis also shared her go-to mantras with "GMA" this morning.

"'The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are,'" she said.

Davis added, "'You don't have to hustle for your worth. You don't have to barter for it. 'You're just born worthy.' That's my other one too."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Viola Davis (@violadavis) on

Davis said she wants some of these inspirational words to apply to her daughter as well.

"I want her to know that exactly who she is, is enough," she said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Viola Davis (@violadavis) on

"Widows" hits theaters Friday.