The Best Reactions from 2021 Emmy Nominees

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 Reporter 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 Latina 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 Pose

Steven Canals, creator of Pose, on the series’ Outstanding Drama Series nomination

Canals told Entertainment Weekly:

“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

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 Times:

“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’ Outstanding Drama Series nomination

Brett Goldstein, on his Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for Ted Lasso

Goldstein told Awards Watch:

“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 Watch:

“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.”