Viola Davis reveals why she “had to have magic” while overcoming poverty as AARP ranks her No. 1 on its list of fabulous Gen X actresses. The Viola Davis Reveals Painful Childhood Reality Behind Her Rise To Hollywood Greatness first appeared on The Blast

Viola Davis has been ranked the most fabulous Gen X actress in Hollywood, but the acclaimed performer says there was once “no evidence of greatness” in her life. The 61-year-old landed the No. 1 position on AARP’s Movies for Grownups list of the 25 Most Fabulous Gen X Actresses.

Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz and Drew Barrymore completed the top five, while other major names such as Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett and Salma Hayek also earned spots. For Davis, the honor reflects a journey that began in poverty and eventually led her to some of the most celebrated roles of her generation.

Viola Davis Says She ‘Had To Have Magic’

Davis spoke candidly to AARP’s Movies for Grownups about growing up as one of six children in condemned apartments. The actress has previously discussed searching through garbage cans for food and living in rat-infested homes.

“I grew up in abject poverty,” she told the publication. “There was no evidence of greatness in my life. So I had to have magic … I had to dare to ask the big, big question: ‘What if, Viola? What if there’s something out there for you?’”

Davis said surviving those difficult circumstances gave her the strength she would eventually need to build her career. “I have the ability to survive the hard stuff,” she explained.

Her breakthrough film performance came in 2008’s “Doubt,” in which she appeared opposite Meryl Streep. Despite limited screen time, Davis’ performance as an anguished mother earned her her first Academy Award nomination and helped launch an extraordinary run across film and television.

The Actress Refuses To Let Hollywood Limit Her

Davis also explained that she no longer allows other people’s expectations to determine which roles she can pursue. “I can do the hard stuff. It doesn’t matter if people think I’m beautiful. It doesn’t matter if people think Viola at 61, you can’t do an action movie, you can’t do a love scene, you can’t do A, B, and C,” she said. “My ability to overcome and to challenge and to believe in my ability is mine.”

That philosophy has allowed Davis to move between emotionally demanding dramas, action movies and major franchises without accepting the limitations traditionally placed on older actresses.

Her No. 1 ranking also reflects the larger purpose behind AARP’s list, which recognizes women who have continued expanding their influence instead of disappearing from the screen. Many of the actresses included have launched production companies, developed their own projects, and moved behind the camera as producers, directors, and entrepreneurs.

• Viola Davis shared her deep regret involving Chadwick Boseman five years after his death.
• Davis slammed Donald Trump’s “less than human” ape post depicting the Obamas.
• She honored the “gifted” Hayden Panettiere in a touching tribute following her sudden death.
• The actress rejected Target’s apology over an offensive Halloween costume and alleged “dehumanization.”

Viola Davis Says Her ‘Value Is Going Up’

Davis acknowledged that women over 40 and 50 have historically been made to feel invisible in Hollywood. “When you come to Hollywood, I think women over 40, then over 50, you feel like you’ve just sort of disappeared and fallen off a cliff,” she said. “Like you’re invisible. So, it’s nice to know that that’s not true. I feel like my value is going up. It feels fabulous.”

Davis’ comments challenge Hollywood’s long-standing tendency to sideline women as they get older. Instead of fading from the spotlight, the actresses honored by AARP are taking on some of their boldest projects yet while gaining more control behind the scenes.

Charlize Theron And Halle Berry Complete The Top Three

Charlize Theron earned the No. 2 position on the list. The actress has built a career that spans glamorous roles, intense dramas and physically demanding action projects. “More interesting stories come my way about what we consider real people … than about glamorous, beautiful people,” Theron previously told W Magazine.

Halle Berry placed third and used her own remarks about aging to challenge society’s treatment of older women. “Women are told that when we reach a certain number, we’re no longer valuable. I believe the opposite… Society should look at us as jewels as we get older. Because the older women get, the more formidable we are,” Berry told AARP.

Penélope Cruz ranked fourth, while Drew Barrymore secured the fifth position. Barrymore has also openly embraced her current stage of life. “I have no issues with aging. This is the happiest I’ve been in my life,” she told AARP.

Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez And Other Stars Earn Spots

Jessica Chastain followed the top five at No. 6, while Amy Poehler ranked seventh. Nicole Kidman, Rachel Weisz, and Lucy Liu completed the top 10. The remaining honorees included Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Naomi Watts, Salma Hayek, Regina King and Reese Witherspoon.

Rose Byrne was the youngest actress selected and ranked No. 18. Toni Collette, Sarah Paulson, Amy Adams, Kate Winslet, Kerry Washington, Taraji P. Henson and Kristen Wiig completed the 25-person list.

Together, the honorees represent a generation of actresses who continue to command major roles while pushing for equal pay, creating their own projects and rejecting stereotypes surrounding age.

The Viola Davis Reveals Painful Childhood Reality Behind Her Rise To Hollywood Greatness first appeared on The Blast