Laverne Cox Couldn’t Hold Back Tears While Interviewing Nava Mau About Her Groundbreaking Emmy Nomination

It was an emotional moment for Laverne Cox, E! News's Emmys red carpet host, when actress Nava Mau joined her for a live interview.

Laverne Cox at an event with a purple background, wearing a dark dress and gold chain necklace
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

In 2014, Cox became the first openly trans person to receive an Emmy nomination for acting. She scored her nom in the Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category for playing Sophia Burset on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. She'd go on to receive three more nominations for the role.

Laverne Cox in a prison uniform, holding playing cards, seated at a table in a common room with other inmates in the background
Ali Goldstein / ?Netflix / courtesy Everett Collection

Now, 10 years later, Nava Mau has the honor of being the first trans woman up for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series. She was nominated for her role as Teri on Netflix's Baby Reindeer.

  Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

The symmetry in their nominations was not lost on Cox, who began her interview with Mau by repeatedly saying, "I'm so proud of you."

Laverne Cox hugs another person on the red carpet at the Emmys, surrounded by people and reporters
NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

The two actresses then took a moment to discuss the importance of Mau's nomination and role in the hit limited series. "What we've been fighting for as a community is to be able to tell stories that come from the heart and that are based from a human foundation," Mau said. "Because that's who we are as trans people. We are humans first and foremost."

Nava speaking into a microphone on the red carpet at the Emmys. She has short hair and wears a glamorous, ruffled dress. People and media are in the background
NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

Cox and Mau's connection goes even further than their nominations. As Cox noted in the interview, Mau worked on Disclosure, Netflix's 2020 documentary about trans representation on screen that featured Cox.

Laverne Cox sits smiling between two video cameras during an interview. She is wearing a black sleeveless top
Ava Benjamin Shorr / ? Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Mau told Cox of the documentary, "It changed my life." Specifically, Mau praised the experience as an opportunity to see "trans people in leadership" and trans professionals discussing their work in Hollywood, including Cox.

Nava Mau on the red carpet, speaking into a "Live From E!" microphone. She is wearing a sleeveless dress with a structured neckline and a beaded necklace
NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

"I got to see you walk in all of your grace and all of your power," Mau said. "I saw that I could dream bigger for myself than what I had dreamt for myself before that, and it changed me forever."

  NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com
NBCUniversal / Via youtube.com

Cox and Mau's red carpet moment really was something special. You can watch their beautiful conversation below:

Check out all of our Emmys coverage here.