Viola Davis Makes Oscars History As the Most-Nominated Black Actress

Her role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is her fourth nod.

Viola Davis has solidified her place in Academy Awards history with her latest Best Actress nomination for starring in Netflix's Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Davis previously won Best Supporting Actress in 2016 for her role in Fences alongside Denzel Washington after missing out on an Oscar in 2008 and 2011 for Doubt and The Help, respectively.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom follows a day in the life of blues singer Ma Rainey (Davis) and her band as they try to complete a studio recording session.

Tension arises when band trumpeter Levee Green (Chadwick Boseman)—who recently one a posthumous Golden Globe for his performance—tries to undermine Ma’s leadership by coercing their white record producer to force a new arrangement of her song upon her. Little do they know the Mother of Blues won’t go down without a fight.

The role required Davis to undergo an intense character transformation including a body transformation, fake teeth, and a thick southern accent.

“You can look as it and you can have your vanity walk into the room before you and say, ‘No. I want to look cuter,’ or, ‘I want to not have the gold teeth because it may be distracting.’” Davis told EW.

“But I’m not one of those artists that absolutely believe that the way that you honour that character and that human being is by embracing every aspect of who they are.”

Her fourth nomination sees her become the most nominated black actress in Oscars history. Previously she was tied on three nominations with The Help co-star Octavia Spencer but has now overtaken her after Monday’s reveal.

four-time academy award nominee viola davis pic.twitter.com/KmVmp2f6I5

— jubileu (@rosamundpirke) March 15, 2021

The duo sits in exclusive company, with Whoopie Goldberg being the only other black actress to have more than one Oscar nomination for her roles in The Color Purple and Ghost.

Speaking to Variety, Davis said the nomination is a "reflection of the lack of opportunities and access to opportunities people of colour have had in this business.”

“If me, going back to the Oscars four times in 2021, makes me the most nominated black actress in history, that’s a testament to the sheer lack of material there has been out there for artists of colour.”

Preach Viola, preach!

Washington remains the most-nominated black performer of all time, racking up two Oscar wins from eight nominations throughout his incredible career. Morgan Freeman and his smooth-as-silk voice comes in behind with five nominations and one win.

In other Oscars news, Davis' Ma Rainey co-star Boseman received a Best Actor nomination for his performance in his final acting role.

Nomadland's Chloé Zhao and Promising Young Woman's Emerald Fennell both claim nominations for Best Director, marking the first time two women have been up for the award at the same time.

Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead also got his first nomination for Best Actor for his role in Minari.

The Oscars will take place on Monday 26 April. Check out the full list of nominations here.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is now available to stream on Netflix.

Header Image: Netflix