Phylicia Rashad, Viola Davis, And Gabrielle Union On Color In Hollywood

Viola Davis, an Oscar winner best known for her roles in The Help and Doubt, says black actresses in Hollywood are in crisis mode. Watch as this Juilliard graduate shares how the small quantity (and poor quality) of roles for African-American women breeds a hostile, competitive environment.

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During Essence magazine’s sixth annual Black Women in Hollywood pre-Oscars luncheon, Gabrielle Union, winner of the 2013 Fierce & Fearless Award, stunned the star-studded crowd—Oprah included—with a brutally honest speech about the fierce drive to be seen and succeed in Hollywood. Find out how Gabrielle’s failed marriage and stalled career forced her to start living her truth.

In many parts of the world, people are judged not just by their skin color but also by their skin tone. The devaluing of dark-skinned women, which is discussed in the documentary, Dark Girls, is something many African-American actresses must overcome. Watch as Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union tackle the light versus dark-skinned debate.

Award-winning actress Alfre Woodard has been working in Hollywood for more than three decades. For years, she says, the mention of another African-American actress’s name would spark negativity and, oftentimes, the b-word from her managers and agents. Watch as Alfre shares a revelation she had about the women she was competing against.

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