Octavia Spencer on the Importance of Tom Hanks' Coronavirus Revelation (Exclusive)

Octavia Spencer on Why Tom Hanks' Coronavirus Revelation Is So I…

‘Top Gun’ Star Tarzan on Pressure of Football Scene and Being Fr…

Anthony Anderson on Why He Left 'Law & Order' After Just One Sea…

Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson on Why She's Seriously Considerin…

Chris Pratt on Why ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Cast Got Emo…

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Vegas Wedding Details | ET’s Th…

‘RHOSLC’ Star Jen Shah Changes Plea to Guilty in Fraud Case | Th…

Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman Jr. Have Heated Exchange at Press Con…

Kim Kardashian Not Ready to Start a Family With Pete Davidson Ye…

Dwayne Johnson on ‘Fiercely Independent’ Daughter Simone's WWE D…

Meg Donnelly and Milo Manheim Tease New Adventures in 'Zombies 3…

Khloè Kardashian & Tristan Thompson Expecting Baby No. 2 | ET's …

Pumpkin Surprises Family With Pregnancy News on 'Mama June: Road…

Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson on Teaming Up Together Again for ‘…

'Big Brother' Season 24: Paloma Aguilar Exits House Early Follow…

Watch Travis Scott Teach Daughter Stormi How to do Adorable Scie…

Billie Eilish Reveals Why She Stopped Dying Her Hair Wacky Colors

'The Bachelorette' Mansion Doesn't Have Enough Beds for the Guys…

Robert Downey Jr. Reportedly Paid for Armie Hammer’s Rehab
Octavia Spencer is sending her best to Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and all those affected by coronavirus.
ET's Rachel Smith caught up with the actress during her Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker press tour in New York City on Thursday, where she touched on the celebrity couple announcing their diagnosis the day before.
"I'm sending speedy recovery prayers to both of them," Spencer said, adding, "I think it's important that Tom and Rita spoke out because they're allowing people to see that this disease, this virus, is non discriminating and we should protect ourselves at all costs."
As someone who travels a lot for work, Spencer shared that she would be staying home as much as she can.
"I am literally isolating once we're done with this. I don't need them to tell me to take two weeks. I intend to lock down," she said. "And my thoughts and prayers are with people who are living paycheck to paycheck and the economy is shutting down. My thoughts and prayers are with the people who lost loved ones, and I think we have to be safe out there, we need to educate ourselves and we have to protect ourselves."
Hanks announced on Wednesday that he and his wife, Rita Wilson, tested positive for coronavirus. Their son, Chet Hanks, later told his Instagram followers that his parents "are fine" and "not worried."
Meanwhile, the Oscar winner couldn't be happier to bring Madam C.J. Walker's story to life. The Netflix series tells the inspiring story of the trailblazing African-American entrepreneur who built a haircare empire that made her America's first female self-made millionaire.
"Madam C.J.'s story is fascinating," Spencer said. "The fact that she actually existed and was able to, at the turn of the century, amass the world that she did. She's the first self-made female millionaire of any ethnicity in this country and she didn't have the right to vote and she really didn't have the right to own property -- and that says a lot about who she was."
While Walker was one empowering and inspirational woman, what empowers Spencer?
"Knowing my value, knowing my worth, knowing that I am trying to contribute for other women to know their value and their worth," she expressed. "Knowing that I create opportunities for people to realize their value and their worth. That empowers me."
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker arrives March 20 on Netflix.
RELATED CONTENT:
Stars Support Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Amid Coronavirus Diagnosis
Tom Hanks Reveals He and Rita Wilson Tested Positive for Coronavirus
Related Gallery