Let’s be real. Celebrating Hollywood awards shows was the last thing any of us wanted to do these past 16 months. However, the 2021 Television Academy of Arts and Sciences announced the Emmy nominees for the year and…what’s this? Close to 40 percent of all nominees in an acting category identify as people of color. The Hollywood ReporterOpens in a new tab tallied the numbers in the acting categories and found that 36 of the nominees are Black actors, six are Latino (of which two are Afro-Latino), and four are of Asian descent.
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Not only that, but newly minted Emmy nominee Mj Rodriguez is the first trans woman to ever be nominated for an Emmy! Plus, she is only the second LatinaOpens in a new tab to ever be nominated in her category—Lead Actress in a Drama Series—ending a dry spell of over 46 years! Rosie Perez, also nominated this year, is also the second Latina ever to be nominated in her category! (Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.) That makes these Emmys by far the most diverse and inclusive to date.
So we’re gonna celebrate with these incredible talents on finally being seen! Here are some of the best reactions from this year’s Emmy nominees upon finding out they were nominated.
Mj Rodriguez, on her Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nomination for PoseOpens in a new tab
Steven Canals, creator of Pose, on the series’ Outstanding Drama Series nomination
Today this Queer Afro-Puerto Rican boy from the Bronx, who decided in 1995 at 15yrs old that he wanted to become a filmmaker like his heroes Spike Lee & Steven Spielberg, became an @TelevisionAcadOpens in a new tab #EmmysOpens in a new tab nominated Director. I’m crying. 🥲 #PoseFXOpens in a new tab pic.twitter.com/6vPBJCd7sJOpens in a new tab
— Steven Canals (@StevenCanals) July 13, 2021Opens in a new tab
Canals told Entertainment WeeklyOpens in a new tab:
“For six months, in the midst of a global pandemic, Black and Latin and Trans and Queer artists created together. Alongside a luminescent cast, and tireless crew, I, with my magnificent collaborators, told an aspirational story of family, resilience, possibility, and, most importantly, love.”
Rosie Perez, on her Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nomination for The Flight Attendant
O. M. G!!!! Yay!!!!! Thank you so much! I’m screaming right now on set #TearsofJoyOpens in a new tab! Seriously blown away and beyond honored & so appreciative!!! Congratulations #KaleyCuocoOpens in a new tab #BestActressOpens in a new tab @FlightAttendantOpens in a new tab @SleepyPanda76 #MeredithandMarcieOpens in a new tab @SusannaFogelOpens in a new tab & entire flight crew!@hbomax https://t.co/jb6uIrQpvkOpens in a new tab
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) July 13, 2021Opens in a new tab
Don Cheadle, on his Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series nomination for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Elizabeth Olsen, on her Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie nomination for WandaVision
Olsen told The New York TimesOpens in a new tab:
“I was emptying my dishwasher […] I didn’t have any plans to be nominated! I’ve never been to one of these shows, so it’s all just new to me.”
Paul Bettany, on his Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited/Anthology Series or Movie nomination for WandaVision
The Boys star Jessie T. Usher Jr, on the series’Opens in a new tab Outstanding Drama Series nomination
Brett Goldstein, on his Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for Ted LassoOpens in a new tab
Goldstein told Awards WatchOpens in a new tab:
“Holy f***ing s***. What an incredible honor. Proper dream come true s*** […] As a cynical English guy I’m struggling to deal with all this wonderfulness. I’m not crying, you’re crying. F*** off! You’re crying. You ****.”
Jurnee Smollett, on her Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nomination for Lovecraft Country
Jonathan Majors, on his Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series nomination for Lovecraft Country
Majors told Awards WatchOpens in a new tab:
“Oh my. Gratitude and surprise are running laps in my heart. A full-throated thank you to the nominating body. Thank you for seeing the light in the dark, and the smile in the tears of this character, Atticus Freeman, he is one of my best friends, and I’m glad you all got to meet him as well. Playing this role has changed my life, and this nomination is yet another growing and changing moment. I’d like to offer a deep congratulations to my fellow nominees, I am honored to be listed amongst these incredible artists, all who in such a time offered humanity and respite to a historically chaotic year.”
Helena Bonham-Carter, on her Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nomination for The Crown
Bonham-Carter said in a statement:
“Thank you dear Emmys voters for this compliment! I had the time of my life playing Princess Margaret and now you reward the fun with this! The words “Pig in S***” come to mind.”
