Viola Davis: ‘I was always so hungry and ashamed.’

The tables have beautifully turned for two time Oscar-nominee, Viola Davis. No longer the hungry little girl from Rhode Island, but an empowering actress. Not only is she known for her ground-breaking roles in The Help and Doubt, but her history making role in ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder, keeps her at the forefront of Hollywood. Glamour recently chatted with Viola about her upbringing, how she survived (literally) and why she’s so comfortable sharing her story. Peep a few excerpts from her Glamour interview.

On what her living was like growing up:

128 Washington Street was infested with rats. When my sister and I have a nightmare, we say it was about 128.

On how the family survived:

It was like, If you don’t eat it now, it’ll be gone, and you’re going to be hungry for the next—Lord, who knows how long.

On what else she tried in order to get food:

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