When a film about your childhood winds up nominated for six Oscars including best picture, it makes sense to devote a little more time to supporting it, even if you are extremely busy tennis legends like Venus Williams and Serena Williams. And that is exactly what the Williams sisters are doing on behalf of King Richard as the final round of Oscars voting nears, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The duo, who along with one of their sisters, Isha Price, are executive producers of the film, recorded a Q&A about the film this week alongside its Oscar-nominated stars, Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis, which will play following a SAG Awards screening this afternoon and following a screening tomorrow afternoon for CAA Amplify (a platform that “promotes and supports artists and leaders of color”).
Venus and Serena Williams are also on the cover of the March issue of Harper’s Bazaar promoting the film. Serena has booked up a number of upcoming TV appearances to support the film, including The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, and more promotional efforts are in the works.
Meanwhile, THR has learned, Price and Venus Williams will join the film’s cast at Sunday’s SAG Awards, where they are nominated for the top award, best ensemble; and Price and both Venus and Serena Williams will attend the Producers Guild Awards on March 19, the Critics Choice Awards on March 13 and the Academy Awards on March 27.
