'The Bear's Liza Colón-Zayas' Makes History With First-Ever Emmys Win—And Her Speech Left Everyone in 'Tears'
Fans teared up over the touching speech that Liza Colón-Zayas delivered upon her historic win at the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15.
The actress became the first Latina to win a trophy in the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. Colón-Zayas was nominated for her first Emmy ever for her performance in the hit FX show The Bear, where she plays Tina Marrero, a chef in Carmy's (Jeremy Allen White) kitchen.
Colón-Zayas, 52, appeared stunned when her name was announced during Sunday’s ceremony. Once she made her way onto the Emmys stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., she revealed that her husband had recommended she write a speech in case the evening turned out in her favor. But she hadn’t taken his advice.
“I didn’t think it would be possible,” she told the audience. “How, how could I have thought it would be possible to be in the presence of Meryl Streep, and Carol Burnett, and Janelle [James], and Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Hannah [Einbinder]—anyway.”
Related: See the Glamorous Red-Carpet Fashions from the 2024 Primetime Emmys
As she listed off the names of her fellow nominees, the cameras panned to show some of the actress’ reactions as they and others celebrated Colón-Zayas’ special moment in the spotlight.
“I love you all,” Colón-Zayas told them. “I revere you to the bottom of my heart.”
The actress went on to thank her mom, the rest of her family and the cast of The Bear, to whom she added, “Thank you for giving me a new life with this show.”
Colón-Zayas concluded her speech with a timely message for awards show viewers.
“To all the Latinas who are looking at me: Keep believing, and vote. Vote for your rights,” she urged.
“Didn't think I could love her even more ??,” one fan commented when a video clip of her speech was shared on X, formerly Twitter.
“Liza Colón-Zayas winning and everyone being happy for her has me in tears,” another fan wrote as an X user agreed, writing, “This had me crying. So happy for her.”
“I’m so happy for her! I love her in anything she does,” another fan shared.
In the press room shortly after the major win, she told reporters that it was an "epic honor" and felt "surreal."
As for how she'll be celebrating, she revealed the cast has a "couple of parties" to attend, hoping to "hang out" and "get loud."
