See Viola Davis' Most Adorable Photos with Her 14-Year-Old Daughter Genesis
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01/05/2025 08:30 AM
The actress, who will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2025 Golden Globes, shares daughter Genesis with husband Julius Tennon
Viola Davis/Instagram
Viola Davis, Genesis Tennon, Julius TennonViola Davis' daughter Genesis is growing up fast!
The EGOT winner shares her only child, born on July 10, 2010, with her husband of over two decades Julius Tennon. Over the years, the Fences actress has shown plenty of love to her daughter on social media. Ahead of her 14th birthday last year, Davis posted a sweet photo of the mother-daughter duo on Instagram with the caption, "Love her soooo much."
She's also given Genesis, an aspiring actress, pieces of wisdom that she's collected over her decades in the entertainment industry. Speaking to PEOPLE for the magazine's 50th anniversary, Davis said, "What I tell my daughter right now is, 'Genesis, you are the love of your life.'"
The Fences actress continued, "You have to start right now to have a radical love affair with yourself, to be in touch with your inner voice, what you like, what you don't like, what's crossing the boundaries, and you honor that. And through that, that is the seed where everything grows."
As the How to Get Away with Murder star prepares to accept the Cecil B. DeMille Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry, take a look at her most adorable family photos with Genesis!
Three's Company
Davis and husband Julius Tennon welcomed their daughter, Genesis, into their family through adoption back in 2011.
Party Hard
Genesis is featured in one of Davis' first Instagram posts from August 2015. In a pair of photos, Genesis helps her mom ring in her 50th birthday.
"'Mommy is a part of the 5-0 club and she's fabulous!!'-Genesis," Davis captioned a sweet photo of her daughter blowing into a birthday noisemaker.
So Thankful
In honor of Thanksgiving 2015, Davis shared a throwback photo with her husband, Julian Tennon and Genesis. She wrote alongside the family photo, "I am thankful for love and life. That's all and that is enough."
Red Carpet Shine
Genesis proved that a smile is all it takes to rule the red carpet when she attended an event in March 2015.
Mom's Best Red Carpet Date
In March 2015, Genesis hit the red carpet with her mom at the premiere of HOME.
Watching Mom Make History
How many of us can say that our moms made history? Davis did just that when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2017, becoming the first Black woman to win an Oscar, Primetime Emmy and Tony.
After her big moment, Davis posted a photo with her daughter and husband with balloons that read, "GO VIOLA."
"My family. Thank you everyone for your love and support," Davis captioned the photo.
Two of a Kind
Like mother, like daughter! The pair got all dolled up and attended the 11th Annual Just Like My Child Foundation Gala in November 2017.
Sweet Support
In January 2017, Genesis gave her mom a kiss on the cheek as the duo posed for photos by the actress' new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Lots of Love
In honor of Genesis' birthday in 2017, Davis wrote of her daughter on Instagram, "You were born from mommy's heart. I love you so much for accepting me as your mommy. Happy birthday Miss Genesis! Love, love my baby!!!"
Ready, Set, Go!
Genesis got to see her mom in action when she visited her on the set of How to Get Away with Murder in August 2017.
On Their Way
Davis, Genesis and Genesis' doll were all smiles as they headed to "Vegas baby!!!" in August 2017.
Throwback Cuteness
Davis shared this throwback with her daughter in January 2018.
Funny Faces
A family who makes funny faces together, stays together! Davis wrote of her husband and daughter in June 2018, "Met you with bad credit and skepticism about love. Found you and it all fell away."
Family Photos
"Happy Holidays from my family to yours," Davis captioned a photo posted on Christmas 2018 of the family of three.
Happy Family
In January 2019, Genesis saw her parents off as they headed to the Critics Choice Awards.
Valentine's Love
The trio celebrated Valentine's Day together in 2019, with Davis captioning a family photo, "In all life's ups and downs.... Even with all the accolades... my greatest treasure are my loves. My heart. My Julius and Genesis! Happy Valentine's Day ❤️"
All She Ever Wanted
Davis told PEOPLE in 2019 that her love for Genesis "surpasses anything that I could want from the material world."
'My Real Legacy'
In March 2020, amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis penned a heartfelt caption honoring her "relishing [her] true blessings" and sharing a throwback photo with Genesis at the beach.
She wrote, "Besides hand sanitizers, avoiding crowds, electrolytes, Tylenol, gassing up, etc... THIS is my #Coronavirus weapon. I'm relishing my true blessings. My real legacy. This time is a reminder that all we have is NOW. Imagine the 46 million or more people in this country who live on or below the poverty line. Think of those who can't drive or walk or who don't have a loved one who has their back. Praying for EVERYONE's health but also hoping this is a wake up call to realize what has true value❤"
Surrounded By Love
"I empower her to understand that she has to count it all as joy. Even her mistakes, her failures, her triumphs, what she looks like, all of it. That's all a part of her loving herself, even if none of those things change," Davis told PEOPLE.
The Big 1-0!
Genesis officially hit double digits in July 2020, with Davis gushing on Instagram, "Happy 10th birthday to our heartbeat, our love, our baby.....Miss Genesis ❤❤❤❤❤🙌🏿🙌🏿"
Model Child
The mother-daughter duo rocked some Ivy Park outfits — courtesy of none other than Beyoncé, of course — and looked impeccably cool while doing it.
"Thank you @Beyonce!! Genesis and I love @WeAreIvyPark's new #IcyPark collection!!! 😍🔥 #AvailableNow #IVYPARK #Adidas," Davis captioned the post.
Birthday Beauty
Mom and Dad (and Grandma!) celebrated Gensis' 11th with an epic cake and balloon combo at The Sugar Factory in Los Angeles in July 2021.
"Can it get anymore perfect!?!?! ALL my loves....daughter, hubby and my mommy. Happy 11th birthday G. Mama, Daddy and Grandma love you sooo much," Davis captioned the family photo. "You make my life. Love YOU!!! ❤❤❤❤"
Whole Heart
The actress shared several never-before-seen photos of her daughter on Instagram in July 2022 in honor of Genesis' 12th birthday.
"Happy birthday to my HEART!!!! My LOVE!!!!!! MY EVERYTHING!!!! My G!! Happy 12th birthday!!!! I love you beyond anything I could imagine ❤❤❤❤," Davis captioned the touching birthday tribute.
Movie Night
Genesis and Julius accompanied Davis hand-in-hand to the premiere of her film The Woman King at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022.
Family Dinner
Later that year, they stepped out again for a dinner honoring Davis and presenting her with the William O. Douglas Award.
Happiest Place on Earth
Viola Davis/Instagram
Viola Davis and Genesis TennonAhead of Genesis' 13th birthday, Davis shared one of her favorite photos of "me and my G" at Disneyland.
Fashion Forward
Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Julius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola DavisDuring L'Oréal's Paris Fashion Week show in October 2023, the family of three made a stylish appearance to walk the runway.
Formal Function
Leon Bennett/Getty
Julius Tennon, Genesis Tennon and Viola DavisDavis, Julius and Genesis got all dressed up in their best black tie attire for a gala in December 2023.
Shoulder to Lean On
Viola Davis/Instagram
Viola Davis, Genesis Tennon and Julius Tennon"A perfect Mothers Day with my loves," Davis wrote under a family photo in May 2024.
Fabulous 14
Viola Davis/Instagram
Viola Davis and Genesis TennonDavis shared a rare photo of her "soon to be 14-year-old" daughter ahead of her birthday on Instagram in July 2024.
