Evans sees distinct similarities between herself and Mercedes — they both have their share of personal struggles. Her mother, Diana Harrington, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and early-onset Alzheimer’s. A portion of her earnings go towards the payment of her mother's rehabilitation center.
Her mother became immobile from the waist down after the disease, and as a result, Evans turned into a full-time caregiver. In an interview with Elle, the star shared that her mother brought her the greatest joy.
To be able to care for her means everything to me. I wanted to make life better for my mother.
The dancer also suffered a stillbirth and shortly after that, her then-husband was deployed. In the interview, she recalls plastering a smile and pretending to be fine when she went to the nationals in Orlando, Florida.
But when she saw kids everywhere, she felt the loss and went back to her room and cried.
Despite all her struggles and current success, Evans still has big dreams about her acting future and hopes to work with Angela Bassett someday.
