Ava DuVernay Defends 'Queen Sugar' Character's Chronic Illness

While oftentimes chronic illnesses in movies and TV conclude with a dramatic healing or death, Ava DuVernay plans to offer a more realistic portrayal in her show “Queen Sugar.” The director recently defended a character’s chronic illness storyline, revealing how important it is to have honest representations of people with chronic illness onscreen.

The drama series focuses on a family who has inherited a sugarcane farm. At the end of season two, family matriarch Aunt Violet (Tina Lifford) tells her boyfriend Hollywood (Omar Dorsey) she has lupus. She explains it isn’t a “death sentence” and can be managed. She’s consistently portrayed as a strong woman who wants to live her life as best she can, while taking care of her health and standing up for what she needs. But in Wednesday night’s episode, her symptoms appeared to be flaring at a party, and some fans took to social media to express their fears for Aunt Violet and hope she would be “healed.”

I want Aunt Vi’s business and love with Hollywood to thrive. I want her to be healthy. I’m worried????about her. #QueenSugar

— TLiMS63 (@peacewyns93) June 7, 2018

PLEASE, PLEASE let ‘Aunt Vi’ be ok!!!????????????????????????????????????@ava @Oprah #Queensugar

— Liz Erin Parker (@Parker1Erin) June 7, 2018

Listen here @ava … I am not ready for anything to happen to Aunt Vi yet. Can we reverse this illness that’s coming on and make her “whole” again? My heart can’t take it.

Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

A Fan Who Thinks Aunt Vi Is Her Real Aunt#QueenSugar

❤️❣️

— Kimberly Wilson (@thewomanwhodigs) June 7, 2018

DuVernay responded to the tweet above, explaining that having an illness doesn’t mean you’re not whole. “Respectfully, we can have physical illness and still be whole. That’s what this storyline explores among other things. Many of us live with chronic illness and still we thrive and live and love wholeheartedly.”

Respectfully, we can have physical illness and still be whole. That’s what this storyline explores among other things. Many of us live with chronic illness and still we thrive and live and love wholeheartedly. xo #QueenSugar #GimmeSugar https://t.co/02kFiG4Mbs

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 7, 2018

Many people with chronic illnesses thanked DuVernay for her response and said Aunt Violet reflected their own experience with illness.

I cried a little when I read your response Ava. I have several chronic illnesses & I didn’t realize how much it hurt not to be seen. Aunt Vi having Lupus and thriving is such a gift. Thank you again.♥️ you even more for this.

— Tinu (@Tinu) June 7, 2018

Thank you, Ava. Aunt Vi’s portrayal with lupus is one that makes me feel seen, heard, & somewhat understood. These stories need to become more common in media. Too many of us with chronic illness aren’t able to honestly share what we’re going through w/our families #QueenSugar

— Tiffany | #LupusChat (@TiffanyAndLupus) June 7, 2018

Sometimes illness cannot be reversed, cured, or remedied & that is okay. What’s important is that we are supported and loved while living our best lives fully. I’m so moved to see lupus in the media, especially through the eyes of a Black woman #QueenSugar #GimmeSugar #LupusChat

— Tiffany | #LupusChat (@TiffanyAndLupus) June 7, 2018

Thank you for saying this. I live with a couple of chronic illnesses, and I struggle to believe this myself.

— Cecily Walker ???? (@skeskali) June 7, 2018

This storyline is so relevant right now. Living with RA means having to accept my limitations without giving up on living a full life. Thank you for helping me see that it’s ok to acknowledge that I need help sometimes. #keepitmoving

— Lena Ocansey (@LenaOcansey) June 7, 2018

Other recent TV shows that have featured chronic illnesses include “black-ish” (Anthony Anderson’s character was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes) and “Gaga: Five Foot Two,” Lady Gaga’s Netflix documentary that featured her battle with fibromyalgia.