What a great night at the 74th Emmy Awards!

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

Oprah opened the show, Lizzo made a statement in red, and it was a good night for Black folks at the 74th Emmy Awards. And it was a great night for Sheryl Lee Ralph, who made history by winning the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series trophy for her role in Abbott Elementary.

You know what, she just became the second Black woman to score an Emmy in that category. The last time we saw this happen, it was Jackée Harry who won for 227 way back in 1987. Wow. 

And as we would expect from the Sheryl Lee Ralph that I know, she had a scene-stealing acceptance speech. After taking the stage to accept her award, Ralph burst into a song singing that verse that she loves from jazz singer Dianne Reeves’ 1993 song “Endangered Species”:

“I’m an endangered species, but I sing no victim song.” She held those notes long and hard as she sang, “I am a woman. I’m an artist. And I know where my voice belongs.”

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:

Abbott Elementary on ABC, Sheryl Lee Ralph plays “Barbara” a kindergarten teacher in Philadelphia

And just in case that wasn’t enough, Sheryl Lee Ralph had a some more inspirational words for her fans:

To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like. And don’t you ever, ever give up on you. Because if you get a Quinta Brunson in your corner, if you get a husband like mine in your corner, if you get children like mine in your corner, and if you’ve got friends like everybody who voted for me, cheered for me, loved me — thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

Sheryl Lee Ralph, 2022 Emmy Awards

Of course, some of us remember when Sheryl Lee won a Tony for her role in 1981 Dreamgirls. Ralph now plays a firm but loving kindergarten teacher, Barbara Howard, on Abbott Elementary — which by the way, had seven Emmy nods and two wins, including a writing Emmy for Quinta Brunson, which is also a first. Congratulations to that entire team.

Also in comedy, Jerrod Carmichael earned an Emmy for his comedy special. Oh yes… and he did have P. Diddy’s fur coat. 

“Look, I made something that was of great personal consequence to me, and this definitely contributes to the meaning of it.”

– Jerrod Carmichael, 2022 Emmy Awards

Carmichael finished his acceptance speech by saying, “I’m going to go home. I am not, like, a sore winner, but I’m going to go home because I can’t top THIS!”

And did I mention show producer Reggie Hudlin gave Lizzo some extra time to show up and show out like Lizzo does? And she won an Emmy as well. 

You could check out the video of the winners who came backstage @AURNonline. And don’t forget to follow me on social media @TanyaHollywood.


Click play to hear the Hollywood Live report from Tanya Hart:

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