oh man. Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. At this point in my life, right now, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling me to do and be in this world. In making this film, I had to protect Aunjanue Ellis, one of the strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met. I have to protect Saniyya [Sidney] and Demi [Singleton]the two actresses who played Venus and Serena.
I am called upon in my life to love and protect people and be a river to my people. I know what we do, you have to be able to take abuse, you have to make people talk crazy about you. In this business you have to have people who don’t respect you, and you have to smile and act like that’s okay. But Richard Williams, and what I loved – thanks, D. – Denzel [Washington] told me a few minutes ago, he said, ‘Be careful at your highest moment. Then the devil will come for you.”
It’s like I want to be a vessel for love. I want to thank Venus and Serena – I’m just spitting, I hope they didn’t see that on TV – I want to thank Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family for entrusting your story. That’s what I want to do. I want to be an ambassador for that kind of love and care and concern.
I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying about winning a prize. I don’t care about winning a prize. It’s about being able to shine light on all people: Tim [White] and Trevor [White] and Zacho [Baylin] and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the entire cast and crew of “King Richard” and Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family. Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, as they said. I look like the crazy dad, as they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.
For my mom, a lot of this moment is really complicated for me, but for my mom – she didn’t want to come out; she’s got her knitting friends, she’s got a knitting crew she’s watching in Philadelphia. To be able to love and care for my mother and my family and my wife. I’m taking up too much time. Thank you for this honor. Thank you for this moment. And thank you on behalf of Richard and Oracene [Price] and the whole Williams family. Thank you. I hope the Academy invites me back. Thank you.
Nancy Coleman reporting contributed.