The energetic and lively telecast of 75th Emmy Awards on January 15 brought about many things including GLAAD being honored with the Governors Award, the revisiting of some of TV’s most iconic series with their original stars, appropriate recognition of Martin Luther King. Jr’s birthday, and host Anthony Anderson’s mother sitting in the audience acting as the “play off” music for winners if their speech ran too long (John Oliver handled it well and followed instructions).
The night recognized excellence in TV and among the winners were Ayo Edebiri, who won for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role in The Bear, continuing a winning streak that probably started with 2023’s Film Independent Spirit Awards. Before scoring an Emmy, she also won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for the role. The Bear also won Outstanding Comedy Series and Edebiri’s co-stars Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach also scored acting Emmys.
Edebiri is the third Black woman to win in the category following Jackée Harry who won in 1987 for 227 and and Sheryl Lee Ralph who won in 2022 for Abbott Elementary. Edebiri also made history alongside Abbott Elementary winner Quinta Brunson, marking the first time two Black women won in lead and supporting comedic acting categories in the same year.
Niecy Nash-Betts accepted her Emmy for her role in Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story in tears and with pride. After thanking her wife Jessica Betts, she went on to say: “I want to thank me, for believing in me and doing what they said I could not do,” she said. “I want to say to myself in front of all you beautiful people, ‘Go, girl, with your bad self. You did that.’ Finally, I accept this award on behalf of every Black and Brown woman who have gone unheard, yet overpoliced, like Glenda Cleveland, like Sandra Bland, like Breonna Taylor!”
In addition, RuPaul’s Drag Race scored its 5th Outstanding Reality Competition Series Emmy after Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls ended their streak last year. “We are so honored to have this award. Listen, you guys are just pure lovely for honoring our show and recognizing all these queens,” said RuPaul Charles as he accepted the award alongside season 15 queens, judges, and the team from Drag Race.
“We have released into the wild hundreds of drag queens and they’re beautiful. On behalf of all them, we thank you,” Charles continued. “If a drag queen wants to read you a story at a library, listen to her because knowledge is power and if someone tries to restrict your access to power, they are trying to scare you, so listen to a drag queen We love you. Thank you!”
Charles won an Emmy for Outstanding Host at the Creative Arts Emmys last week and remains the most awarded host in Emmys history with eight consecutive wins. The Drag Race godmother also holds the record for most Emmy wins by a person of color.
Sir Elton John won his first Emmy award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for his Disney+ special Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, inducting him in to the prestigious EGOT club that includes Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson, Tim Rice, Alan Menken, and Mike Nichols.
John was not able to attend the ceremony but released a statement in regards to his win: “I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight. The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedication, and the unwavering support of my fans all around the world. Tonight is a testament to the power of the arts and the joy that it brings to all our lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, I am incredibly grateful.”
Read the full list of Emmy Award winners here.