At the main event: Nicole can finish speech, Sterling cannot!
The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards were all about jokes about US President Donald Trump
It seems, award functions are the most favourite platform for international celebs when it comes to making political statements and taking digs at US President Donald Trump. Amid all the glamour, big wins, and talent appreciation, that side was evident at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, but then, “Hollywood’s hypocrisy” — as many are calling it — acted out on stage.
On one hand, there were statements mocking Trump and his discriminatory ways. On the other hand, actor Nicole Kidman, who won the Best Actress in a Limited Series award, was allowed to go on with her 2 minute and 45 second speech, whereas African American actor Sterling K Brown was interrupted by loud music during his speech after winning the Best Actor in a Drama Series award. Those who watched the three-hour ceremony live, were quick to point out the bias.
“So nicole kidman can talk as long as she wants but they force sterling k. brown off the stage lol diversity #emmys,” tweeted Alex Jung, a New York-based journalist. “So I can’t hear @SterlingKBrown finish his acceptance speech but I have to listen to some rachet a** announcer all goddamn night?” wrote another user, Isaac Stovall.
As with several other awards events held in the US over the past year, jokes and jibes at The Donald ruled the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.
The President of the United States was the target of a series of jokes by the night’s host Stephen Colbert. The biggest surprise was when Donald Trump’s former White House press secretary Sean Spicer got to the podium and assured Colbert, “This will be largest audience to witness an Emmys. Period. Both in person and around the world.” As Spicer spoke, actor Melissa McCarthy, who had mimicked him on the award-winning comedy show Saturday Night Live, looked on.
Colbert’s jokes were not the only the highlight of the event. Nicole Kidman’s speech about domestic abuse drew a lot of praise. “[Domestic abuse] is a complicated, insidious disease... It is filled with shame and secrecy. And by you acknowledging me with this award, it shines a light on it even more,” she said, accepting the award for Best Actress in a Limited series, for her role in Big Little Lies. She plays a domestic abuse victim.
The Emmys were lauded for recognising diversity in the industry. “For everybody out there that showed so much love, thank you for embracing us, a little Indian boy from South Carolina and black girl in the southtown of Chicago. We appreciate it more than you could ever know,” said Lena Waithe, who, along with Aziz Ansari, accepted the award in the Best Writing for a Comedy category.