Always a GOAT, now officially an EGOT winner too; a round of applause is due for Viola Davis on achieving EGOT status after last night’s Grammy win at the 2023 premiere ceremony. Davis, an actress, and producer, tapped into the EGOT hall of fame after being awarded her first Grammy for best audiobook, narration, and storytelling for her memoir, Finding Me ahead of the main awards show.
The Grammy came in to seal the status following well-deserved recognition for her stellar performances in TV shows, films, and on Broadway. She snatched up an Emmy in 2015 for her embodiment of badass lawyer, Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder, making history as the first black woman to do so. She secured an Oscar for her supporting role in the 2016 film, Fences. Rightfully so, as her delivery of the line “I’ve been right here with you, Troy!” alone, lives in my head RENT-FREE. And her Broadway performances in King Hedley II and Fences achieved not one, but two Tony awards respectively in 2001 and 2010.
Davis’s career spans over 30 years and across television, film, Broadway, and writing. Her memoir is defined as a deeply personal and intimate account of her humble journey from Rhode Island to her present-day successes, equally inspirational as it is honest and raw. Her appraised audiobook recording landed her a spot in history as the third Black woman to hit EGOT status, and only the 18th person to be honored with the status overall.
“I just EGOT!” Davis proclaimed during her recipient speech. She took to the stage to provide a brief, heartfelt ode to her younger self and share the honor with her husband and daughter. “My loves—Julius, Genesis—you are my life and my joy. You’re the best chapter in my book.”
According to Davis, Finding Me was written to honor her 6-year-old self. It’s safe to say that this recognition would’ve surely made 6-year-old Viola more than proud.