Michelle Williams Brings Busy Philipps To Tears In Emmys Speech On Gender Equality
Michelle Williams took home the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for her role in “Fosse/Verdon,” bringing her friend Busy Philipps to tears and the audience to their feet with an impassioned acceptance speech about gender equality.
The actor, who plays Broadway legend Gwen Verdon in the FX series, talked about how accommodating the showrunners were to her needs on set when it came to needing more voice lessons, dance lessons or better fake teeth.
“All of these things, they require effort and they cost more money, but my bosses never presumed to know better than I did about what I needed in order to do my job and honor Gwen Verdon,” said Williams.
"My bosses never presumed to know better than I did about what I needed in order to do my job and honor Gwen Verdon." #FosseVerdonFX star Michelle Williams thanks her studios during her acceptance speech for lead actress in a limited series https://t.co/WmT1Fmyol4 #Emmys pic.twitter.com/DDF1ONJV7Z
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 23, 2019
The 39-year-old also thanked the studio for paying her equally and implored those creating content to empower women, particularly women of color.
“They understood that when you put value into a person, it empowers that person to get in touch with their own inherent value, and then where do they put that value? They put it into their work,” said Williams.
“So, the next time a woman ― and especially a woman of color, because she stands to make fifty-two cents on the dollar compared to her white male counterpart ― tells you what she needs in order to do her job, listen to her. Believe her, because one day she might stand in front of you and say thank you for allowing her to succeed because of her workplace environment and not in spite of it.”
The actor dedicated the award to her daughter, Matilda, and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Throughout her speech, the screen cut to Philipps, Williams’ longtime friend, who was tearing up at Williams’ words.
help pic.twitter.com/ztNNQKGg4k
— Jackson McHenry (@McHenryJD) September 23, 2019
The former host of “Busy Tonight” was not the only one moved by Williams’ speech. Twitter was abuzz with praise:
Terrific group of nominees, but Michelle Williams was really outstanding in 'Fosse/Verdon.' And that speech was rousing. #Emmys2019
— Kristi Turnquist (@Kristiturnquist) September 23, 2019
That Michelle Williams speech belongs on a plaque. #Emmys
— shauna (@goldengateblond) September 23, 2019
That was Michelle Williams’ best speech since Abby Morgan’s funeral #Emmys
— Ira thee Third (@ira) September 23, 2019
Michelle Williams knocking it out of the park with her acceptance. To memorize that thoughtful speech and read it so well was so good she deserves a 2nd Emmy! pic.twitter.com/RI1gqSipau
— Julie Cohen (@FilmmakerJulie) September 23, 2019
Give Michelle Williams an Emmy for her speech. #Emmys
— Danielle Schwartz (@tvsfun) September 23, 2019
Michelle Williams acceptance speech. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/pVb05j7Aqw
— Ayesha (@just_eesh_) September 23, 2019
Holy cow. I’m so in awe of Michelle Williams right now. That was an incredibly powerful speech about supporting your people - especially women - by treating them with respect and #equalpay. #Emmys
— Rachel Polish (@rachelpolish) September 23, 2019
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.