In one of the standout moments of this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, Sheryl Lee Ralph rocked up to the stage to receive her award for Outstanding Actress in A Comedy Series. In winning the accolade, she became the first African-American woman in 35 years to do so, since Jackée Harry from NBC’s 227.
Ralph’s recognition came in the wake of her inspirational performance as kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard in Quinta Brunson’s hit mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary on ABC.
Emmys night was a pretty good one for Ralph, Brunson and the rest of the Abbott Elementary family, as they walked away with three awards in total to crown what has been a surreal first season.
The comedy series was very well received by fans and critics alike, who praised the writing, direction and acting, among other elements. It didn’t take long for ABC to renew Abbott Elementary for a second season either, which is scheduled to debut in about one week’s time.
For Ralph, receiving her award was a validation of the right choice of character for her. She could have played a different role in the show had she had her way, however.
How Did Sheryl Lee Ralph And Quinta Brunson Meet For The First Time?
Sheryl Lee Ralph first met Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson when she appeared as a guest star in HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show in 2019. Brunson made note of the veteran actress’ talent and gave her a call as soon as her new show was given the green light by ABC.
The respect went both ways as well, and Ralph knew she would accept a role in the show even before seeing the script. “I knew before [reading the script] that I wanted to be a part of the show, because of Quinta Brunson,” she said in an interview with W Magazine in January.
“I met Quinta on [the] series called A Black Lady Sketch Show and it just seemed to me like she was studying me, and I was like, ‘Oh, this is wonderful. This young artist thinks I'm something special,” Ralph continued.
On her part, Brunson did not need to see Ralph audition. Instead she just wanted the actress to come in and meet the cast and crew of Abbott Elementary.
Which Character Did Sheryl Lee Ralph Originally Want To Play In Abbott Elementary?
The plot summary for Abbott Elementary on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “A group of dedicated, passionate teachers – and a slightly tone-deaf principal – find themselves thrown together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Quinta Brunson both play roles as two the said passionate teachers: Barbara Howard and Janine Teagues respectively. When Ralph laid her eyes on the script for the first time, however, she thought she wanted to be the principal.
“Once I read the script, I really loved the character of the principal. And I said, ‘Give me a shot at the principal,” Ralph explained in her conversation with W Magazine. Brunson was not having that, though, as she felt that the actress’ personality was better suited to a different role.
“[Quinta] was like, ‘No, absolutely not. You are Mrs. Howard. We need a queen and you are her,” Ralph continued. “She may be tiny, but she is truly mighty as our creator. Quinta Brunson – that’s a name to remember.”
Fans Are Gushing Over Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Emmy Win
When Sheryl Lee Ralph stepped up to receive her Emmy Award, she did something that probably no one present or at home would have expected. She took a deep breath, and broke out into a rendition of Dianne Reeves’ classic song, Endangered Species.
“I am an endangered species,” Ralph sang, to raucous applause from the audience. “I am a woman, I am an artist, and I know where my voice belongs!” She then went on to thank Quinta Brunson, her husband Vincent Hughes, as well as her colleagues and everyone who voted for her.”
Predictably, the memorable speech – as well as her achievement on the night – immediately had fans raving about the actress all over social media. “Sheryl Lee Ralph just gave the most moving acceptance speech in #Emmys history,” one Twitter user wrote on the social media platform.
There were also those who felt that Ralph’s Emmy win was a long time coming. “Sheryl Lee Ralph, the same actress from Moesha, Sister Act II, The Flintstones, and the original Deena Jones in Dreamgirls, won her FIRST Emmy last night at the age of 65,” another post read. “Awards and recognition doesn’t have sh*t to do with your talent or worth!”