Nancy Lee Grahn Apologizes for Tweet About Viola Davis

Soap opera star Nancy Lee Grahn, a Skokie native, has apologized for a controversial tweet she made about actress Viola Davis, who became the first black female to win an Emmy for best lead actress in a drama Sunday night.

“I wish I loved #ViolaDavis Speech,” wrote Nancy Lee Grahn, who portrays attorney Alexis Davis on “General Hospital.” “But I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it.”

Grahn followed up after a tweet from a woman who said she loves listening to Davis speak, according to the Chicago Tribune and other media reports.

“@nxssy I do 2. I think she’s the bees knees but she’s elite of TV performers. Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against,” wrote Grahn.

Grahn apologized on Twitter multiple times.

“30 yrs an advocate 4 human rights & now i’m a racist. Color me heartbroken. Twitter can bring out the best & sadly tonight the worst of us,” she wrote.

more via the Chicago Tribune