The 73rd Emmy Awards saw no actors of colour take out any of the major acting categories, causing, #Emmysowhite to circulate on Twitter.
When the nominations were revealed for the Emmys a few months ago, the award show was praised for having a record number of non-anglo artists nominated. According to Variety, the record number was 49.
Some were even tipped to win, like Billy Porter for his performance in Pose and Michael K Williams for his performance in Lovecraft Country. However, not a single actor of colour took out any major award.
Shows like Ted Lasso, which feature a diverse cast were tipped to win big, and it did, but only its white actors were nominated. But it was surprising, considering the record number of nominations, that not a single non-white actor took home an acting award. The odds were in their favour and yet they all lost.
However, it is worth noting the ceremony wasn’t exclusively white-washed, the awards were hosted by Cedric the Entertainer. Michaela Coel made Emmy’s history when she won for best writing in a limited series, for I May Destroy You. She became the first black woman ever to win in that category and RuPaul broke the record for most Emmy wins for a person of colour.
Still, the fact that only white actors took home Emmys caused #emmyssowhite to circulate on Twitter with people sharing their thoughts.
Two awards shows in a row where recently departed Black men lost to white Brits who weren’t even present at the ceremony #Emmys #Emmys2021 #EmmySoWhite #EmmysSoWhite
— Nick Sakai (@nicksakai) September 20, 2021
We need to give our own their roses… and stop applying our black dollars behind all these white events.#emmysowhite #emmyssowhite
— Tricia4real (@tricia4real) September 20, 2021
No Black, Latinx or Asian actors won an award for acting tonight on the #Emmys2021 #EmmySoWhite
— Christopher Sewell (@DrCJPSewell) September 20, 2021
This debate will continue to rage on.
