Viola Davis Reveals How Will Smith Helped Her Confront Childhood Trauma

Viola Davis has penned a memoir, titled "Finding Me," in which she recalled tragic events from her childhood, and how actor Will Smith helped her change her perspective on trauma.

"Viola, who are you?" Davis revealed Smith asked her on the sets of "Suicide Squad."

When she asked the actor to explain what he meant, Smith replied, "Look, I’m always going to be that 15-year-old boy whose girlfriend broke up with him. That’s always going to be me. So, who are you?"

"There I was, a working actress with steady gigs, Broadway credits, multiple industry awards, and a reputation of bringing professionalism and excellence to any project," she explained. "Hell, Oprah knew who I was. Yet, sitting there conversing with Will Smith, I was still that little, terrified, third-grade Black girl."

The 56-year-old actress recalled one of the worst memories from her childhood, while talking to Smith. "Eight or nine white boys in my class made it their daily, end-of-school ritual to chase me like dogs hunting prey."

Davis has opened up about her troubled childhood in the book, where she mentioned being raised with five siblings in poverty.

The actress also shared her family had no money when they moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island, due to which they had to survive without gas, hot water, electricity and phone.

"That, compounded with the bed-wetting, made for a home with a horrific smell," she revealed. "In fact, the rats were so bad, they ate the faces off my dolls."

"Finding Me" was published Tuesday. It is available to buy on various platforms, including Amazon.

On the work front, Davis recently featured in a TV series, "The First Lady," where she portrayed Michelle Obama's character.

She will be seen in movies like "Operation Othello," "The Woman King" and "I Almost Forgot About You." The actress will also work on an untitled Harriet Tubman project.

Smith, on the other hand, recently made headlines for slapping comedian Chris Rock during Oscars 2022. On the work front, he was recently seen in a TV series, "This Joka," which was dropped last month. He will be next seen in the movies like "Emancipation," "The Council," "Fast and Loose" and "Bad Boys 4."