“Shōgun”'s Anna Sawai Tears Up over 'Emotional' Emmy Nomination, Declares She's Leaving Music Career for Acting

Anna Sawai, who previously led a Japanese pop group, spoke about starring in 'Shōgun'

Shōgun star Anna Sawai is savoring her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

The Japanese actress, 32, held back tears while speaking to E! Live From the Red Carpet host Laverne Cox on Sunday, Sept. 15, calling her nod “emotional” as she reflected on how the FX drama has changed the trajectory of her career.

“It’s just very emotional,” said Sawai, whose performance as Lady Mariko on Shōgun is recognized in the leading dramatic actress category this year. “It’s very huge. I am just so happy for the entire team.”

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The new adaptation of the James Clavell novel has been renewed for two additional seasons, and already won 14 Emmys at the Creative Arts Emmys — the most for a single season of any show. Asked about the success of the historical drama, Sawai said: “Everyone just worked so hard because they wanted the best for the show. There were no egos and so I am just happy that everyone’s receiving it and everyone’s touched by our story.”

Before breaking out as Elle in Fast & Furious movie F9 and Naomi in the Apple TV+ adaptation of Pachinko, Sawai had a prominent role in the Japanese music industry as the leader of Faky. The five-person J-Pop girl group was known for their single "Better Without You."

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On the Emmys red carpet, Sawai indicated she has shifted her focus from music to acting. “I feel like I’m not going to do music,” she said. “But I would love to do a music-themed movie, maybe. I think there’s a lot to talk about in that industry.”

Faky's first album, The One, was released in 2014. Sawai left the group in 2018 to pursue acting, with new members stepping in and making more music. The group disbanded after their final performance on Jan. 13, 2024.

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Related: Shōgun Season 2: What We Know About the Show's Return — and the "Darker" Story It Will Tell

During an appearance on PEOPLE in 10 in April, Sawai admitted it was difficult to leave Lady Mariko behind after wrapping Shōgun. “I couldn't talk about certain scenes or the character without tearing up," she said at the time.

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Dan Levy and Eugene Levy, is airing live on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT on ABC.

See PEOPLE's full coverage of the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards as they're broadcasting live on ABC from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

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