Sheryl Lee Richardswon her firstEmmyon Monday night — and her kids certainly didn’t hold back with their excitement!
Hours after theAbbott Elementarystar grabbed her trophy for best supporting actress in a comedy at the 74th PrimetimeEmmy Awards, her son Etienne Maurice posted avideoon Instagram of himself and his sister Ivy-Victoria Maurice screaming in celebration from the audience.
“I’ve envisioned this moment for my mother my whole entire life. We are so proud of you Mommy!@thesherylleeralphyou are A WINNER!!!!,” he wrote in the caption. “@ivycoco23 are in our seats crying.#emmys2022.”
Ralph, 65, plays the firm but loving kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard on the beloved ABC sitcom.
“I am a woman, I am an artist,” she sang. “And I know where my voice belongs.”
Of course, Ralph’s impressive singing voice came as no surprise seeing as she started her career on Broadway when she won a Tony award for best actress in a musical for her role in 1981’sDreamgirls.
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“To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like,” Ralph said in her speech, adding, “This is what striving looks like!”
The industry veteranbecame just the second Black woman to score an Emmy in the categoryafterJackée Harry, who won for227in 1987 — a milestone Ralph appeared to celebrate in her scene-stealing acceptance speech.
Ahead of the monumental moment, Etienne posted behind-the-scenes photos and a video of himself, his mother, and his sister, laughing, posing, and praying before heading to the ceremony.
“A family that prays together, stays together,” he captioned the piece. “We love you Mommyyyyyyyy!#emmys2022.”
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On the red carpet, Ralph told PEOPLE that her dress came together at the last minute when she and anAbbott Elementarycastmate accidentallychose the same dressfor the huge night.
Having to pivot, she collaborated with an up-and-coming designer instead. “Five days ago, I had no gown,” Ralph said, explaining that a stylist named Brandon Blackwood collaborated with Ralph’s daughter and another artist to create her Emmy night look.
“That’s how family works, even extended family,” Ralph said. “I now have family I didn’t know was my family the way they have come through for me.”
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Asked about continuing to work decades after she initially started performing on the stage, Ralph shared an inspiring anecdote from working withRobert De Niroon a past film.
“One day I was shooting a movie with Robert De Niro, the great Robert De Niro, and in between shots he looked at me, and he said ‘You are great. You’re like really DGA, Damn Great Actress,’ " Ralph told PEOPLE. " ‘But Hollywood’s not looking for you, they’re not looking for the Black girls, so you better wave that red flag and let them know you’re there because you deserve to be seen.’ "
“Thirty years later, I am seen with my Emmy nomination,” Ralph added. “And thank God I didn’t give up on me because it’s been a rough climb, but it’s worth every step.”
Abbott Elementaryseason 2 premieres on ABC on Sept. 21.
source: people.com
