Viola Davis Finally Seen with Adopted Daughter, 13, Who Looks Gorgeous in Teal Dress

May 2024 · 5 minute read

Legendary icon Viola Davis, 58, is revered in the entertainment industry as a phenomenal actress. From her recent elite EGOT status to her numerous Academy Award wins, her illustrious career has been incredibly admirable.

Apart from being recognized as a respected and formidable icon in Tinseltown, the "How to Get Away with Murder" star is a loving wife to her husband, Julius Tennon, 69, and a doting mom to her daughter, Genesis Tennon, 13.

Julius and Genesis Tennon with Viola Davis at Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France on October 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Recently, while attending Paris Fashion Week, Viola made a rare appearance with Genesis. The occasion was a family affair, as Genesis' doting dad, Julius, also accompanied her and her mom to the fashion event. The Parisian experience was also Genesis' fashion runway debut, as she, her mom, her dad, and a few other A-listers participated in the "Walk Your Worth" show hosted by L'Oréal.

Genesis Tennon and Viola Davis at Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France on October 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Genesis, who isn't often seen in public, adorned a stunning floor-length teal gown decorated with silver rhinestones and fitted with feather details along the bust. After her parents walked the catwalk hand in hand, Genesis joined them on stage, where the three posed for some family pictures.

Fan comment about Genesis and her parents, dated October 3, 2023 | Source: Facebook/People

Fan comment about Genesis and her parents, dated October 3, 2023 | Source: Facebook/People

Fan comment about Genesis and her parents, dated October 3, 2023 | Source: Facebook/People

Julius and Genesis Tennon with Viola Davis at Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France on October 1, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Upon seeing pictures of the beauty online, many fans showered her with compliments, and one person even referred to her as her mother's twin. They also praised the family as a whole. Of Genesis, one fan gushed:

"She's gorgeous 😍"

Fan comment about Genesis and her parents, dated October 3, 2023 | Source: Facebook/People

Fan comment about Genesis and her parents, dated October 3, 2023 | Source: Facebook/People

Fan comment about Genesis and her parents, dated October 3, 2023 | Source: Facebook/People

Viola Davis and Genesis Tennon at Viola Davis' Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in Hollywood, California on January 5, 2017 | Source: Getty Images

Viola Davis Shared Some Words about Motherhood, Adopting Her and Raising Her Daughter

After Davis announced that she and Julius were planning to adopt in 2011, the plan went through when they brought home Genesis two months later. News of Genesis' arrival was first spilled by Viola's co-star and friend, Octavia Spencer.

Viola is a proud mom who teaches Genesis the importance of self-love and confidence and loves her fiercely.

While previously sitting down for a cover story about her life journey published by a news outlet, Viola discussed how her relationship with her husband and becoming a mother changed her life. Of her close bond with Genesis and the moments that make her the happiest, the "Fences" talent shared:

"Spending the day with my daughter at Chuck E. Cheese's or going to the mall and playing in the play area. That's what makes me happy."

In the same year she did the cover story interview, Viola spoke to another media outlet to discuss her then-new movie with Denzel Washington, "Fences." During the discussion, she brought up her daughter again and touched on the topic of adoption. When it came to explaining to Genesis how Viola became her mother, the actress said:

"I always tell Genesis she was born from my heart, not my belly. There are so many ways to mother other than to carry a child in your body..."

Viola Davis and Genesis Tennon at Variety's Actors on Actors event in Los Angeles, California on November 12, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Viola had wanted to be a mom for a while. She opened up about the triumphs and challenges of motherhood and quipped about how much work being a mother took. She described her experience as feeling like she lies somewhere between feeling like a failure and feeling like a superhero.

Viola Davis, Genesis, and Julius Tennon at Viola Davis' Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in Hollywood, California on January 5, 2017 | Source: Getty Images

As far as how she shapes her daughter's perception of beauty standards and role models, Viola teaches Genesis to embrace who she is fully. She previously cited an example of how she would tackle Genesis' desire to dress up as white Disney princesses and comic book sheroes.

The mama bear would tell her darling daughter that she could dress up as whichever character she wanted as long as she did it while wearing her natural hair. Viola's overall mantra, which she instills in Genesis concerning beauty is:

"Your heart and your brain are the most important parts of you..."

Viola is a proud mom who teaches Genesis the importance of self-love and confidence and loves her fiercely.

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