On Monday night, the 74th annual Emmy Awards handed out a number of historic awards, including Zendaya’s second victory for best actress and two major titles for the star and director of “Squid Game.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph received the award for supporting actress in a comedy series for her performance in Quinta Brunson’s widely acclaimed sitcom “Abbott Elementary.” Brunson, who also made Emmys history with her trio of nominations this year, also received the award for outstanding writing in a comedy show.
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Ralph, 66, has received praise for her work on Broadway for decades, and she received a Tony Award nomination in 1981 for her lead role in the original production of “Dreamgirls.” She won the Emmy for supporting actress after never having been nominated before, and her victory marked the second time a Black woman actor received the honour. In 1987, Jackée Harry won the award.
While Ralph’s victory was significant in and of itself, it was not her only remarkable contribution to the awards show. Along with a heartfelt acceptance speech, the “Moesha” actress surprised the audience with an a cappella rendition of Dianne Reeves’ song “Endangered Species,” which drew a standing ovation.
“I am an endangered species / But I sing no victim’s song / I am a woman, I am an artist / And I know where my voice belongs,” Ralph sung from the stage, in a performance that many have already acclaimed as one of the best in Emmy history.
“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. This is what striving looks like,” Ralph said in the acceptance speech, where she named also credited Brunson, her husband and kids.
“And don’t you ever, ever give up on you, because if you get a Quinta Brunson in your corner, if you get a husband like mine in your corner, 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!” she told the audience.
Ralph discussed why she chose “Endangered Species” from Reeves’ 1994 album “Art & Survival” backstage after the concert.
“I’ve been singing that song for years because I think of myself as an artist. As a woman, especially as a woman of color, I’m an endangered species,” she said. “But I don’t sing any victim song. I’m a woman. I’m an artist, and I know where my voice belongs.”
