

How ‘Black Excellence’ Led To Viola Davis’ Mouth In 'The First Lady'
I suppose that the casting of Viola Davis as Michelle Obama was always bound to lead to catastrophe. Like two suns battling to see who can shine the brightest, here we have women hailing from the same Obama-era cultural lineage of unimpeachable Black Excellence, converging in Showtime’s The First Lady.
Still from 'The First Lady'/Showtime
Davis stars as Lady Obama turning in what should’ve been another Emmy-baiting performance in the exhausted genre of prestige dramas that excavate history to pander to our current political climate. Instead, Davis gives a bemusing interpretation of the former first lady that harkens back to the early days of Obama’s public life when anti-Black, misogynoir political caricaturists overexaggerated her physical features. There’s Davis’ wonky attempt at Obama’s Chicago-reared accent, her razor-thin eyebrows, and her mouth. Oh my God, her mouth.
Davis’ insistence on basing her entire transformation into Obama on fixing her mouth in a permanent scrunched position — even as she’s speaking — leads me to side with the theory that some fans on Twitter have proposed that there must be friction between the two ladies.
— paul (@paulswhtn) April 17, 2022
Davis’ performance — as cringe as it is — however, is less relevant to what led to her accepting the role. Within the past decade, since being catapulted into fame by her role in How to Get Away With Murder, an air of regalness has been bestowed upon Davis that’s only rivaled by the woman who once resided in the most esteemed house in the country. Davis’ awards acceptance speeches often have the energizing force of a motivational speech. Her voice alone can easily oscillate between a tranquil balm to a powerful near-Shakespearean soliloquy.
On paper, her casting as Michelle Obama made sense because she is Michelle Obama. She is the vision of aspirational Black womanhood that has emerged in the last decade. As a graduate of the Shonda Rhimes School of Strong Female Leads which produces characters who speak primarily in monologues, you can easily hear Davis’ voice saying Obama’s famous mantra, “When they go low we go high.”
Still from 'The First Lady'/Showtime
So it's no wonder why Davis, who also executive produces The First Lady, chose to take on this role. She faced (much lighter) criticism when she took on the role of legendary blues singer Ma Rainey in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom because of her choice to wear a fat suit rather than, as an EP, give the role to an actress who didn’t need prosthetics to play the role. But it’s a testament to Davis’ stature that even as many people derided her Ma Rainey and Obama performances, they still show reverence towards the Oscar award-winning actress.
In perhaps an ironic twist of fate, Davis’ memoir Finding Me – a book that revives the same feelings of Black excellence as exemplified through wealth accumulation and "overcoming the odds" that Obama’s Becoming does – comes out shortly after the release of The First Lady.
A memoir is always an easy way for a public figure to affirm their place in history. And the place where Davis finds herself is one that can only be rivaled by American royalty.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image still via The First Lady/Showtime
- Viola Davis to Play Michelle Obama in TV Series—But That's Just ... ›
- Viola Davis Will Play Michelle Obama in an Upcoming Series About ... ›
- 'The First Lady' Trailer: Viola Davis Transforms Into Michelle Obama ... ›
- Viola Davis Says She Fears What Michelle Obama Will Think Of Her ... ›
- See Viola Davis as Michelle Obama in Showtime's The First Lady ... ›
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.