Viola Davis said she felt “mellow” ahead of the Emmy Awards (20.09.15).
The Oscar-nominated actress competed for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series at the TV awards ceremony for her critically lauded role in How to Get Away with Murder, but admitted that she wasn’t feeling nervous.
Speaking to PEOPLE.com, Viola said: “I feel mellow.
“Yesterday, I was nervous. Today, I feel good. There are expectations. You wonder, If I don’t win, am I a failure? But today, I feel mellow.”
Viola was one of two African-American stars up for the prestigious Best Actress award, which has never previously been won by an African-American, and hoped to see more and more minority actresses recognised for their hard work.
And recognised she was!
The Emmy Awards are always full of great moments, but history was made when Viola won for lead actress in a drama series—in a packed category that also contained Taraji P. Henson, Tatiana Maslany, Robin Wright, Claire Danes, and Elisabeth Moss. Viola’s win for her work on How to Get Away With Murder wasn’t just momentous because it was her first; it was groundbreaking. Davis took the stage to raucous applause (especially from Taraji) and delivered one of the most powerful and moving speeches of the night, which you can read below:
“In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields, and lovely flowers, and beautiful white women with their arms stretch out to me over that line. But I can’t seem to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line. That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s. And let me tell you something—the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people…who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black. And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods, to Gabrielle Union—thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you to the television academy.”— Viola Davis
Viola’s win (and her speech) will definitely be go down in the Emmy history books!
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