Finding Me: A Memoir

A few weeks after Viola prays to God for a specific kind of partner, she moves to Los Angeles, where she meets Julius Tennon, an actor and fellow castmate on City of Angels. He offers to take her to see the Santa Monica pier and gives her his card. Viola learns that Julius is from Texas, used to play football, and has two children and a grandchild from a previous marriage. Six weeks after Julius’s offer, Viola finally calls him on her therapist’s urging and goes on her first date with him. After that, her life seems to just get better; Julius fits every item on Viola’s wish list, even inviting her to join him at church.

Julius and Viola click in the best possible way; they fall in love, and Viola eventually moves in him with him. A short while after Viola and Julius get together, she receives the opportunity to play a small role in August Wilson’s King Hedley II. Although she is initially reluctant, Julius encourages her to take the role, as she does not have any other projects going on at the moment. Viola goes on to win a Tony for her performance as Tonya in the play.