‘Why Does She Imagine Herself as a Coach?’ Aunjanue Ellis’ reveals her first reaction after finding out Serena Williams’ mother is a coach

‘Why Does She Imagine Herself as a Coach?’ Aunjanue Ellis’ reveals her first reaction after finding out Serena Williams’ mother is a coach

Venus Williams, Oracene Williams and Serena Williams

The film ‘King Richard,’ which debuted less than a month ago, has already shattered box office records. Aunjanue Ellis, who portrayed Ms. Oracene, the mother of Venus and Serena Williams, recently spoke about the Ms. Oracene’s teaching.

In addition, the actor talked about how Richard Williams and Ms. Oracene had balanced contributions in the upbringing of their children.

Aunjanue Ellis praises Ms. Oracene

Serena Williams with her mother, Aunjanue Ellis and Will Smith
Serena Williams with her mother, Aunjanue Ellis and Will Smith

In ‘King Richard,’ Aunjanue Ellis makes a stunning performance as Ms. Oracene. It was a dream come true for the actor to play the mother of two of the greatest female tennis players of all time. She recently spoke about the day she discovered that Ms. Oracene was also a coach.

“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, she identified as a coach. I had this really cynical response to this, like, ‘Why does she imagine herself to be a coach?’” Said Ellis.

Talking about the time she came to know about her coaching side, Ellis 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.

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.” If Richard Williams was the dreamer, Aunjanue Ellis believes Ms. Oracene was the architect of that same idea.

Also Read: ‘KING RICHARD’ was stubborn & out of control”: Serena & Venus Williams’ coach