Sheryl Lee Ralphmay not have expected her Emmys win, but she was certainly prepared!
During her appearance onThe Jennifer Hudson ShowMonday, theAbbott Elementarystar, 65, reflected on winning herfirst Emmy Awardfor outstanding supporting actress in a comedy.
As fans know, Ralph’s win became one of the biggest highlights of the 2022Emmy Awardsceremony after she deliveredan emotional and inspiring acceptance speechthat included singing a verse from jazz singer Diane Reeves' 1993 song “Endangered Species.”
However, Ralph admitted things didn’t go exactly as planned. “When they called my name, all of it went out of my head,” sheshared. “I could remember absolutely nothing.”
“And you know, center stage is my home so when I got there, it was like, ‘Gather yourself, gather yourself because this is your moment!” she added.
Sheryl Lee Ralph.Getty
Ralph made history at the 2022Emmy Awardslast Monday after winning theoutstanding supporting actresstrophy for her role as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard inAbbott Elementary.
TheQuinta Brunson-created mockumentary premiered in December 2021 and follows a group of Philadelphia-based teachers working at one of the worst-ranked schools in the country. The ABC series also starsTyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti.
Ralph became just the second Black woman to score an Emmy in the category afterJackée Harry, who won for227in 1987 — a milestone Ralph appeared to celebrate in her scene-stealing acceptance speech.
After taking the stage to accept the award from presentersAmy PoehlerandSeth Meyers, Ralph burst into song, singing a verse from “Endangered Species.”
“I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim song,” she crooned, holding out several words for emphasis as names of those she wished to thank flashed across the screen. “I am a woman, I am an artist, and I know where my voice belongs.”
After her song — which earned standing ovations from the crowd, including fellow nomineesAlex Borstein(The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel),Hannah Einbinder(Hacks),Hannah Waddingham(Ted Lasso),Janelle James(Abbott Elementary),Juno Temple(Ted Lasso),Kate McKinnon(Saturday Night Live) andSarah Niles(Ted Lasso) — Ralph then gave a quick, but moving 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,” Ralph said. “This is what striving looks like, and don’t you ever, ever give up on you.”
“Because if you get a Quinta Brunson, if you get a husband like mine in your corner,” Ralph added. “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!”
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Fellow celebrities such asOprah WinfreyandBeyoncéhave sincesent Ralph flowersto congratulate the star on her historic win.
source: people.com
