Viola Davis Admits She Judged Chadwick Boseman Before Learning He Was Dying: “Why Do You Need All That?”

In a jaw-dropping confession, legendary actress Viola Davis has admitted that she once judged Chadwick Boseman on the set of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom before discovering the heartbreaking truth about his silent battle with stage IV colon cancer.

During an interview with The Times, Davis reflected on the strange atmosphere surrounding Boseman during filming. She recalled seeing his girlfriend and makeup artist constantly rubbing his back and hearing meditative music playing for him, a ritual that left her puzzled.

At the time, she was confused.

“There was a part of me that was a little judgmental. Why do you need all that?” Davis confessed. But what she didn’t know, what none of them knew, was that Boseman was secretly dying.

Hollywood’s Best-Kept Secret: Chadwick’s Hidden Struggle

Chadwick Boseman, the undisputed king of Wakanda, was privately battling one of the most aggressive cancers known to man, all while giving one of the most electrifying performances of his career. And yet no one on set had a clue.

Unlike most actors who step away from the limelight during major health crises, Boseman refused to let anyone in on his condition, not even his Ma Rainey co-stars.

He worked tirelessly, shot difficult scenes, and pushed his body beyond its limits, all while undergoing gruelling cancer treatments in silence.

Davis, now looking back, expressed deep regret over her initial assumptions.

“Little did I know that they were doing it because he was dying.”

The Internet’s Cruel Obsession with Boseman’s Appearance

As Boseman’s health deteriorated, so did his physical appearance. He lost weight rapidly, and social media was ruthless in its response.

People called him “sickly,” “washed up,” and even accused him of using drugs.

Instead of asking if something was wrong, the internet mocked him mercilessly. It wasn’t until his tragic passing in August 2020 that the world learned the truth. Boseman had been silently battling cancer since 2016.

Viola Davis wasn’t the only one who misjudged him. Millions did.

Boseman’s Final Performance: “He Gave His Soul”

Despite his illness, Boseman gave everything to his final role as Levee Green in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. His performance was haunting, raw, and electrifying, but no one watching knew they were witnessing the last fire of a dying star.

Davis, speaking about his commitment, said:

“We were just watching a great artist absolutely give himself over to a role. You give yourself. You sacrifice yourself.”

She went on to say that Boseman lived life on his own terms, adding:

“What I hold onto with Chad is that he lived his life his way. With the utmost integrity.”

The Lesson We All Need to Learn

Viola Davis’s shocking admission serves as a harsh reality check, one that should make us all think twice before passing judgment on someone.

We never know what battles people are fighting behind the scenes.

Boseman’s legacy is more than just his films. It’s a lesson in strength, dignity, and perseverance.

So, the next time we feel the urge to judge, maybe, just maybe, we should pause and consider that we might be completely wrong.