Only a few knew about Madam C.J Walker, aside from her exploits on the black American beauty industry, despite the massive success she achieved during her lifetime. However, that will change by the time Netflix releases its newest limited series, “Self Made” on Friday. The series is inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker, whose role was played by Octavia Spencer.
Now, thinking of self-made women who have become a millionaire or even billionaire status, most times, only the familiar names constantly come to mind: Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna, Donna Karen, Kylie Jenner, and a few more.
But before these names, though, was the first and probably the most: Madam C.J. Walker.
Moreover, Octavia Spencer, the Academy Award winner can very much be likened to Madam C.J. Because, the 47-year old actor posses the type of tenacity, strength, and never-back-down resilence that likely would have been a requirement for any young black woman of that era trying to accomplish as much as Madam.
Back in the 1800s, it was all against black women to rise, such as men. Yet, Madam believed in herself and her mission to break down every barrier that stood in her way. All those qualities now radiate in Spencer’s portrayal of her, enough to say it’s as though Spencer was born to play the role.
In an interview with Newsweek, Spencer, who also serves as an executive producer of the series, ‘Self Made’ said, “I forgot that we shared a date in common, May 25. I was born 50 years after she died on that day. I felt like it was a harbinger that we shared that date in common—as if we were connected through time in a way.”
You can learn more about Spencer’s role in Netflix’s new limited series: “Self Made.” The series, inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker, releases on Netflix on Friday at 3 am ET.
Madam C.J. Walker was born on 23 December 1867, at Delta, Louisiana, United States. She lived and memory and Died on 25 May 1919.
