#EmmysSoWhite: No Black Actors Win Despite Record Nominee Lineup

Here we go again … another award show, another white wash.

Following Sunday’s highly anticipated Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast #EmmysSoWhite was trending on Twitter. Despite its historic and diverse nomination fields, all the major acting trophies went to white actors.

Actors that were seen as solid contenders included Billy Porter and Mj Rodriguez (“Pose”), the late Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) and Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”) — all ended up empty-handed.

While many didn’t expect anyone to unseat Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”), Jean Smart (“Hacks”) and Gillian Anderson (“The Crown”), pundits were expecting a couple of actors to break through, such as any of the actors from “Hamilton” and Regé-Jean Page (“Bridgerton”).

Michaela Coel, nominated for four Emmys, did pick up the writing limited category trophy for “I May Destroy You,” the third time a Black creative has won the category and first for a Black woman.

Iconic dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, director and producer, Debbie Allen received the Governors Award — making her the first Black woman to receive the honor. Jada Pinkett-Smith, Ellen Pompeo and Ava Duvernay were among those who presented her with the award.

Another milestone of the night went to RuPaul who broke the record for the most Emmy wins by a person of color, as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” was named outstanding competition program on Sunday night.

Elsewhere in the show it was chalk full of color, from the presenters, to the performers to the producers and of course the host.

Cedric the Entertainer was the night emcee and opened with a musical number alongside LL Cool J, Lil Dicky and Rita Wilson rapping to the tune of Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend.”