‘Why Does She Imagine Herself to be a Coach?’: King Richard Actor’s First Reaction for Venus and Serena Williams’ Mother

It’s been less than a month since the premiere of ‘King Richard,’ and the film has already broken box office records. Recently, Aunjanue Ellis, who played Ms. Oracene, mother of Venus and Serena Williams, discussed the latter’s coaching side.

In addition, the actor discussed the balance between Richard Williams and Ms. Oracene when it comes to contributing to their kids.

Aunjanue Ellis praises Ms.Oracene, Venus, and Serena Williams’ mother

Aunjanue Ellis has wonderfully portrayed the role of  Ms. Oracene in ‘King Richard’. Portraying the mother of two of the greatest female tennis players of all time was a dream come true for the actor. Recently, she talked about the time when she found out the fact that Ms. Oracene was a coach too.

Ellis stated, ” I did not know who she was.  When I started doing my research on her, preparing to audition, I saw that she was, on Wikipedia, identified as a coach. I had this really cynical response to this, like, “Why does she imagine herself to be a coach?”

Talking about the time she got to know about the coaching side of her, she said, ” And then when I was cast in the film and really started to do my work preparing in earnest, that is exactly what she was, is what I’ve found out. She was even more so [a coach] in terms of actually being on the court and teaching them how to play than Mr. Richard.”

She further said that while Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena Williams was more of a visionary, Ms. Oracene was designing their life at the same time.

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Ellis explains the role of parents in a nutshell

Aunjanue Ellis believes that if Richard Williams was the visionary, then Ms. Oracene was the builder of that same dream.. In the same interview, she said, “  Architects can sketch something and they can walk away, and then the builders are there every day putting in the work and the sweat.”

Truly, it was an honor to watch both Aunjanue Ellis and Will Smith in the biopic of Richard Williams. Have you watched the movie yet?

ALSO READ: “This is Surreal!”: Venus and Serena Williams React to King Richard’s Latest Achievements