The 2022 Emmy Awards was an eventful night for many reasons but the number one reason was that Black women were getting all of the shine as they should. The ceremony welcomed many Hollywood creatives from the beloved cast of Abbott Elementary to the stars of Euphoria, but some stand-out moments made the evening more special. Sheryl Lee Ralph was the moment after she accepted the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Mrs. Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary. The award was long overdue for the iconic actress who was one of the original Dreamgirls and has been acting in Hollywood for over 50 years.
Sheryl first broke out into a song and then shared some inspirational words with the audience during her acceptance speech. “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,” she said.
Sheryl Lee Ralph Wins Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
“Because if you get a Qunita 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!”
Sheryl is the first Black woman in 35 years to win in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. Fellow legendary actress Jackée Harry was the first Black woman to take home the award and she congratulated the Moesha star on Twitter.
"@thesherylralph’s had a remarkable career AND she’s one of the nicest people in Hollywood. Barbara Howard on #AbbottElementary is another fabulous character we’ve been fortunate to watch her breathe life into,” the Sister, Sister actress tweeted.
Sheryl’s co-star and the creator of Abbott Elementary, Quinta Brunson, also won her first Emmy. The social media breakout star and actress won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the ABC sitcom. She thanked ABC, Disney and Warner Bros as well as her husband, family and the cast and crew.
Quinta Brunson Wins Emmy for Writing for a Comedy Series
Zendaya made history again with Euphoria. After receiving the trophy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, the 26-year-old became the first Black woman and youngest ever two-time actress to win in the Emmy category.
The Euphoria actress and executive producer acknowledged people who may be struggling with addiction such as her character Rue. “Anyone who has loved a Rue, or feels like a Rue, I want you to know that I’m so grateful for your stories, and I carry them with me, and I carry them with her,” she said. “So, thank you very much.”
Zendaya Makes History With Second Emmy Win for Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Lastly, Lizzo took home her first Emmy after winning in the Best Competition Series category for her Prime Video show Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls. After accepting her award, Lizzo gave a touching speech. "When I was a little girl, all I wanted to see was me in the media. Fat like me. Black like me. Beautiful like me,” she said. “If I could go back and tell little Lizzo something, I would be like, 'You are gonna see that person but b—, it's gonna have to be you.' "
With an Emmy and three Grammys, the “About Damn Time” songstress is halfway to EGOT status.
Lizzo Wins First Emmy for Competition Program
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