Co-Stars Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were both winners at last night’s Critics Choice Awards awards for their roles as domestic staff in The Help. Viola won Best Actress for her portrayal of Aibileen Clark. She gave an impressive speech that was both heartfelt and inspiring. I found myself getting all choked up while listening to her, and there’s talk that her incredible speech last night could bolster her prospects for an Oscar. A video is below and here’s some of what she said. It’s hard to do it justice in print:

Viola Davis strengthened her Oscar prospects with a best actress win at Thursday’s Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, but she also tugged at heartstrings by delivering a powerful acceptance speech.

“I am absolutely so humbled,” said Davis, who won the award for playing Aibileen Clark, a maid living in 1960s Mississippi.

“I wanted to be somebody. I wanted to dream big and make a mark somehow, and that’s something absolutely that Aibileen was not afforded,” she continued. “I considered it my honor to pay homage to these women at this time period who were not allowed to dream.”

During the speech, cameras cut to Davis’ co-star Octavia Spencer, herself a winner in the best supporting actress category, who appeared to have tears in her eyes.

“The Help” finished the night with three awards in all – acting honors for Davis, Spencer and a best acting ensemble award for the entire cast.

[From CBSNews]

A few women that the camera cut away to looked like they were crying during Davis’ speech, it wasn’t just Spencer. Davis said she used to ride the bus for 5 hours to take acting classes when she was 14 and I found that detail so moving. It showed the level of dedication she’s had for her craft since she was young. Octavia Spencer’s speech was a little more typical for an awards show, and she was similarly surprised and overwhelmed at the honor.

In terms of fashion, Viola Davis was just about the only actress in red, she was wearing a deep v-neck Raoul gown that made her cleavage look insane. I loved her look and styling. Viola’s fashion has been spot on this season. Kaiser pointed out to me that Viola’s hair hasn’t always been that great, and that she’s been wearing some wigs that leave something to be desired. Her short hair and impeccable makeup went perfectly with the modern silhouette of her dress.

Octavia also brought it in a gorgeous draped black Tadashi Shoji dress with an understated jeweled belt. Her hair and makeup look great in photos, although I thought her makeup needed more of a pop when I saw her on screen. Her earrings and especially that giant ring she wore which mirrored the design of her belt were just perfect.

Viola Davis’ acceptance speech:

Octavia Spencer’s acceptance speech:

photo credit: Fame and WENN