Yahoo Lifestyle Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Opened Up About Will Smith's Intense Work Ethic On Set
First things first: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is unquestionably talented.
You've probably seen her in Ava DuVernay's Origin (2023) or When They See Us (2019).
Neon / Courtesy Everett Collection, Atsushi Nishijima / ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
She's had numerous scene-stealing supporting roles in movies like Ray (2004), The Help (2011), and If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), among many other films and TV shows.
If you're a real one, you'll remember her as the unforgettable Sistah Girl in Undercover Brother (2002).
She's also in the 2024 film Nickel Boys, based on the novel by Colson Whitehead.
Overall, one of her most notable roles is in King Richard, the biographical sports drama about the father and coach of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams.
The 55-year-old actor portrayed Oracene "Brandy" Price, the mother and coach of Venus and Serena, and Richard's now ex-wife.
Will Smith portrayed patriarch and coach Richard Williams, a role that earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Aunjanue received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role.
Will also served as a producer for the film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (Bob Marley: One Love, 2024). The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Undoubtedly, their performances are a testament to their range as actors and discipline. To support my assertion, Aunjanue shared what it was like working alongside Will, and it's pretty insightful.
In a Dec. 14 interview with People, Aunjanue reminisced about Will's intense work ethic and why he's one of the most successful actors in Hollywood. "I've heard him talk about his work ethic and his feeling like he may not be the best actor," she said. "But he's like, 'Nobody is going to beat me working hard.' And that has stayed with me."
Aunjanue explained that on the first day of reading the script, Will entered the room and immediately hit the ground running. "I mean, index cards all over the place, his breaking down his character, breaking down the film. Just granular stuff, just extraordinary."
The admiration of the King Richard costars is definitely reciprocated. In his Oscars acceptance speech, Will said, "Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the strongest, most delicate people I ever met. I got to protect Saniyya and Demi, the two actresses that played Venus and Serena. I'm being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people."
Aunjanue explained that Will prioritized being a good example, respecting his role as the number one person on the call sheet, and "beyond that, being so incredibly kind to everybody, and not allowing anybody to be mistreated in his sight."
And that's that!
