Angela Bassett just won her first Emmy!
The 66-year-old actress — who has earned a total of nine Emmy nominations in her career — took home the best storyteller award at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday, Sept. 7, for her work on Queensa National Geographic documentary series about matriarchies in nature.
While accepting the great honor, Bassett became emotional. “Oh my God. Wow,” she said after stepping up to the microphone. “My first Emmy!”
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After the applause of the audience, The Black panther the star continued: “It feels good… really, really good.”
Angela Bassett at the 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards September 7, 2024
Amy Sussman/Getty
She then thanked “National Geographic, Wildstar Films and all the directors — all the women! — that brought this incredible story, this incredible documentary series focused on the wild and magnificent things in the animal kingdom.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful,” added Bassett. “Thank you, each and every one of you.”
The American Horror Story the actress also reacted to the career milestone – which comes months after accepting her first Academy Award, an honorary Oscar for her contribution to the film industry – in the press room as well as on social media.
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When asked by a reporter why she seemed surprised to win the award when it was so “clearly deserved,” Bassett said, “It’s one of the really, really big awards, you know what I mean? And so… it usually not happening.”
“But also, whenever you get recognition … I’m just a girl who just wanted to act, and my mentors were way ahead of me,” she continued. “I just looked at them and got inspiration and hope and I just put my focus and my energy and my love into trying to make it happen in my life or for my life.”
“So I try to remember that first love every day,” she continued, adding that when “things like this” — her Emmy win — happen, “I appreciate it. I really appreciate that.”
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In an Instagram post posted by Bassett on Sept. 7 after her win, she again expressed her shock and gratitude — and praised Queens‘ the directors.
“My first #Emmy. It feels so good to hold this in your hands,” she wrote in the caption of the post. “Thank you @televisionacad for recognizing me and the extraordinary story told by the documentary series #Queens.”
Speaking about the content of the documentaries, the actress continued: “I spend so much of my life in front of the camera telling stories, that when I have the opportunity to step back and allow these magnificent, powerful creatures to be the center of our attention, I am honored to be their voice.”
“Thank you to @natgeotv, @Wildstarfilms and the amazing directors, ALL WOMEN, who have lent their brilliant talent to bring QUEENS to the screen,” she added. “I share this prize with you.”
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Source: HIS Education