As the only black woman to be nominated for three Academy Awards, and the only black actress to win the Triple Crown of Acting (Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award), it's safe to say Viola Davis knows a thing or two about making a mark on the world.

With unforgettable roles in blockbusters such as The Help and Fences, the 52-year-old has shown her determination and resilience in communicating gritty, untold and real-life stories to audiences across the world.

And, who can forget the tear-jerking speech she delivered during the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards when she said: 'The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity'?

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So, it comes as no surprise the South Carolina-born star hopes to pass on a few nuggets of wisdom to her six-year-old daughter Genesis Tennon when it comes to dressing up as her favourite film characters.

In a recent interview with Yahoo Style, the actress said the only thing she wants to see from her daughter is her natural hair.

'I really push it. I push it,' Davis admitted.

'I say, "You gotta wear your hair exactly the way it is. You can be Wonder Woman, but you gotta be Wonder Woman with your hair. You can be Elsa, but you gotta be Elsa with your hair".'

She added: 'You can do all of that stuff if you start with the palette of loving who you are.'

Has there ever been a more beautiful message?

You can be Elsa, but you gotta be Elsa with your hair

The How to Get Away With Murder star also revealed that she tries to reinforce the message with the children's books she chooses for her daughter, including there likes of I Love My Cotton Candy Hair and I Like Myself!.

Recalling her childhood, Davis said that she wishes someone had told her that 'I am enough'.

'If someone had told me that just time and time again…oh, my God! I would've had a completely different childhood,' she revealed.

'And my childhood was good, even with all the pain and poverty. But it would've been even better.'

Well, it certainly sounds like Davis' daughter is receiving a wonderful education about life and beauty from her inspirational mother.

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.