‘King Richard’ Subject Oracene Price Shares Reaction to Aunjanue Ellis’ Portrayal: ‘I Thought It Represented Me’
variety.comAngelique Jackson When “King Richard” star Aunjanue Ellis was approached to portray Oracene “Brandy” Williams (née Price) in a film about the early years of Venus and Serena Williams’ tennis career, the actor was primarily excited to celebrate the first family of tennis.
Ellis describes the opportunity to play Price as “one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had as an actor,” but admits that there was so much about the Williams household — and about Price specifically — that she didn’t know.“I only knew of her from being in the stands and having these dope shades on every time.
We see her, but I didn’t know her,” Ellis explained during a panel conversation with Price, moderated by Variety. But once she started doing her research for the film, Ellis learned the full truth about the Williams family matriarch, including how much coaching she did for the girls on the court, after having taught herself to play tennis, in addition to her work outside the home as a nurse.“To be able to be a part of something that would shine a light on the absolutely incredible woman that Ms.
Oracene Price is — how she has been consequential in changing the sport of tennis, but also consequential in changing how we see Black women in culture, it meant everything for me,” Ellis declared.For Price, the experience of having her and her family’s story told has been full of mixed emotions.
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