renaeThe 2020 Emmys just created history by setting a new record for the most wins by black actors.
According to Variety, 7 black artists won awards in a number of major categories last night, which pretty much beats the record 2 years ago for the most wins by black actors. This year, Television Academy reports that 34.3% of all nominees were black and nine of the 18 acting awards given out at the 2020 Emmys went to black actors, which is a massive spike from last year’s numbers. Last year, according to Variety, just 11.1% of winning actors were black.
Eddie Murphy, Maya Rudolph, and Ron Cephas Jones received awards during Saturday’s event – Murphy and Rudolph won their Emmys for their December 2019 performance in the same episode of Saturday Night Live, and Jasmine Cephas Jones won the short form acting award for Quibi’s #FreeRayShawn alongside Laurence Fishburne.
Regina King, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Uzo Aduba, and Zendaya all received awards as well with Zendaya winning lead drama actress for HBO’s Euphoria – at 24, Zendaya became the youngest ever actor to win the best lead actress in a drama series award so that’s another achievement to be celebrated!
Congratulations to Eddie Murphy, Maya Rudolph, Cephas Jones, Regina King, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Uzo Aduba, and Zendaya – well done on your amazing achievements!
Jason Harris
Rob Jefchak
