Niecy Nash Celebrates 54th Birthday with Starry Emmy-Themed Party Thrown By Her Wife and Pals: ‘I Love It Here’ (Exclusive)

Niecy Nash is ready for her close-up and her cake!

The Emmys on Friday Dahmer star was treated to a fabulous affair in the Starlight Room of the Cameo Beverly Hills Hotel to mark her 54th birthday.

The evening was hosted by Nash’s wife of four years, Jessica Betts (41), and her family and close friends. PEOPLE caught up with Nash exclusively at the star-studded William P. Miller event, which featured purple floral arrangements and themed her recent Emmy success story.

“I feel amazing,” Nash tells PEOPLE moments after her grand entrance, to the soundtrack of her viral Emmys speech “You’d Like to Thank Me,” which Betts remixed to a hip-hop beat. “I walked in and I didn’t know she took my Emmy speech and remixed it into a whole bop! And I’m like, what? I love being married to a musician.”

Jessica Betts and Niecy Nash.

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It was a day full of love for the star. “So, first of all, it started at midnight. I got beautiful gifts at midnight and I would cry about my false eyelashes, but I already took them off,” she says of the Betts who gave her. “I had champagne for breakfast and she was just paying attention to the details, with more gifts this morning.”

Niecy Nash Betts’ wife Jessica boasts ‘the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met’ on star’s 54th birthday

Another highlight of the day: the announcement of her terrifying new series with the writer and director Dahmer co-star Ryan Murphy, who appeared at the party and gave a touching toast to their long Hollywood history together.

“Today is my actual birthday and the creepiest trailer ever released for my new project with Ryan Murphy, grotesque,” she says. “I wonder, what’s a better gift? is there one I don’t think so.”

Ryan Murphy and Niecy Nash.

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During Murphy’s toast, he shared some details about the project and what makes Nash, whom he first met in 1998, perfect for the role. “It’s a very dramatic series about how the world, how we feel, is collapsing all around us and yet we find hope,” he says.

She adds that after he asked her to read the script and see what part she was interested in, “she said ‘I want to play Lois.’ And I said, ‘Chief?’ And she said, ‘Yes’.” To which Murphy says he told her, “‘Yeah. Make it your show. Make it number one on the call list, because you deserve it.'”

Niecy Nash’s 54th Birthday Celebration.

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At the dinner, where her past Emmy gowns were displayed in the center of the room, Nash spoke about how much the recent win meant to her and her career.

Niecy Nash celebrates her 2023 Emmy win by going skinny dipping with Jessica Betts

“It meant that my peers could entrust me with work of any caliber,” she says. “When people think you’re a one-trick pony and you win an award for something they said you couldn’t do, you feel validated. You feel like, ‘I hope you know that whatever script you send, I’ve got it and I’ve got you.’ ”

Quinta Brunson at Niecy Nash’s 54th birthday party.

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The guest list included actresses Quinta Brunson and Marla Gibbs, who presented Nash with the trophy at this year’s Emmys.

Marla Gibbs and her furry friend at Niecy Nash’s birthday party.

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“I told her I have to give her the Oscar now,” Gibbs, 92, tells PEOPLE at the party. “So her Emmy has a date.” She adds, “It means a lot,” regarding the award being given to a fellow black actress in Hollywood. “When you can support someone and be part of their progress, that’s very important.”

Kelly Rowland and Niecy Nash.

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Some of Nash’s former costars, including herself Reno 9-1-1 crew, showed up and hit the dance floor with other friends like Kelly Rowland, who dropped by in the middle of her party Mea Culpa promo tour. Others who couldn’t make it, including Gayle King and Jenifer Lewis, sent their regards in funny video messages.

Niecy Nash and Sherri Shepherd.

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But the biggest surprise of the night was the star’s best friend Sherri Shepherd. The The Sherri Show the star flew in that day, after telling her friend she wouldn’t be able to make it.

“You present to the world this woman with a bright face and a bright smile and Unh, huh [attitude]. But those of us who know you know the road is fraught with difficulties. Trials and tribulations,” Shepherd tells Nash, still shocked and teary-eyed at her arrival. “I’m so glad the world can see what we already know.”

Niecy Nash 50th Birthday Photoshoot. Robert Ector

Four years after famously stripping down in an exclusive shoot she shared with PEOPLE to celebrate her 50th birthday, Nash says she’s a lot happier than she was back then.

Niecy Nash opens up about turning 50 and being single: ‘I’ve never been better’

“At this point,” she tells PEOPLE, “I’ve been loved before, but I’m loved in this part of my life, in this chapter, this act of my life in a way that makes me feel completely seen and accepted. So I like it here.”

Niecy Nash with children, from left, Dominic, Dia and Donielle.

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The night ended with everyone hitting the dance floor shortly after Nash was presented with a multi-tiered birthday cake and serenaded by Betts and fellow singer and celebrity vocal coach Stevie Mackey.

Niecy Nash’s 54th Birthday Purple Carpet.

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All in all, “They killed it,” Nash says of his wife, family and friends, including longtime publicist Kita Williams, putting on an unforgettable night of surprises. “I feel so blessed. I feel loved.”

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Source: HIS Education