Sheryl Lee Ralph Reflects on Her Hollywood Legacy & History-Making Noms for 'Abbott Elementary' (Exclusive)

“Abbott Elementary’ star Sheryl Lee Ralph reflected on having Sidney Poitier as a director for her film debut “A Piece of the Action” at the premiere Wednesday of the documentary film “Sidney.”“When I met him, he did not let me down,” Sheryl Lee Ralph told TheWrap at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures premiere, noting that at the time she was a “newbie” to the industry. “A lot of people you meet, they let you down.

Quinta Brunson is opening up about Sheryl Lee Ralph‘s historic win at the 2022 Emmy Awards.

 treated viewers with two Dreamgirls for the price of one! Fresh off her Emmys win, Sheryl Lee Ralph joined host Jennifer Hudson for an intimate discussion that turned into a mini-masterclass on being a Dreamgirl as the 65-year-old reflected on her turn in the original 1981 Broadway production.Ralph, who originated the role of Deena and landed a Tony nomination, vividly recalled the day she auditioned for . The star said she remembered walking into the theater behind Loretta Devine — who was «already becoming Loretta Devine,» — and winding up in a room filled with powerhouse vocalists.

A royal connection. Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph revealed an interesting link to the late Queen Elizabeth II from her past.

(CNN)Jackée Harry was just one of the people who celebrated Sheryl Lee Ralph's first-ever Emmy win on Monday.But the "227" star added a bit of context about Ralph, who won for her role on the comedy series "Abbott Elementary," which made it even more celebratory.Harry tweeted a photo of herself with the Emmy she won in 1987."Winning my Emmy was a career highlight, but it was also a lonely experience," Harry wrote. "For 35 years I've been the only black woman to win Outstanding Supporting Actresses in a Comedy Series.

Sheryl Lee Ralph just got flowers from someone really special!

Sheryl Lee Ralph is making a habit of breaking into song during acceptance speeches and getting standing ovations! The star attended the Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS at West Hollywood Park on Thursday night, where she was honored with the Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award, fresh off her historic Emmys win.Ralph turned up at the fundraising gala accompanied by her two children and  co-star, Lisa Ann Walter. The 65-year-old accepted the award for her 30 years of activist work in fighting the AIDS epidemic through her DIVA Foundation, which mounted the longest-running annual HIV/AIDS and health awareness benefit concerts in the United States.When she made her way onstage, Ralph broke out into song, singing «Endangered Species» by Dianne Reeves, which she previously sang during her Emmys acceptance speech to thunderous applause.She opens her speech just like at the Emmys by belting out “Endangered Species.” The crowd loved it. pic.twitter.com/AvpDVjumWw«The truths are not easy and 40 years later people want to act like it didn't happen, but it did happen.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is glowing after her big win at the 2022 Emmy Awards!

Sheryl Lee Ralph is calling out Jimmy Kimmel.

Jimmy Kimmel's controversial prolonged comedy bit during Monday night's 2022 Emmy Awards. The Emmy-winning star revealed that she was less than pleased about the late-night talk show host playing dead during co-star and fellow first-time Emmy winner Quinta Brunson's acceptance speech. «I was absolutely confused,» she told reporters at ABC's TCA day on Wednesday. «I didn't know what was going on.

Selome Hailu Sheryl Lee Ralph has made her feelings known on Jimmy Kimmel’s bit during Quinta Brunson’s Emmys acceptance speech. During a virtual panel for ABC’s presentation at the TCA’s summer press tour, “Abbott Elementary” creator and star Brunson was asked Kimmel lying down onstage as she won the award for comedy writing on Monday night. She reiterated her previous comments that she isn’t upset about what happened, mentioning that she’s appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Wednesday. “I’m anticipating that we are going to have a good old fashioned time,” she said. “I have talked with Jimmy since, and I think no matter what, it’s important to just showcase that ‘Abbott Elementary’ is premiering next week. It’s gonna be a good time and you’ll probably just have to tune in and watch.”

Sheryl Lee Ralph just won her first ever Emmy, and her kids made SURE she knew just how proud they were!

The 2022 Emmys may be over, but Us Weekly is just getting started! We’ve got exclusive details of what you didn’t see behind the scenes of TV’s biggest night, from cast reunions to fangirl moments.

Hoda Kotb shed tears of joy on Monday when she viewed the Emmys from her home and witnessed a historic moment. The Today show star admitted she was left "sobbing" after Sheryl Lee Ralph's win for best supporting actress in a comedy series for Abbot Elementary. MORE: Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie revel in Today reunion as they share BTS photosShe became only the second Black winner in that category for her work on the ABC show. WATCH: Hoda Kotb's family life - all we know Hoda recorded the moment airing on TV when Sheryl collected her award and broke into song.The mom-of-two then shared it on Instagram and captioned the clip: "Sobbing! @thesherylleeralph this is YOUR TIME @abbottelemabc."MORE: Hoda Kotb's swimsuit-clad polar plunge sends co-host Jenna Bush Hager into a 'tizzy'MORE: Hoda Kotb's decision to spend time with her family over the summer is so relatableShe received a standing ovation for her acceptance speech when she sang the chorus  from Dianne Reeves' Endangered Species.A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb)Hoda said she was hugely emotional watching Sheryl's Emmy win "I am an endangered species, but I sing no victims' songs. I am a woman, I am an artist, and I know where voice belongs," she sang, leaving the audience shocked and silent.Hoda's fans commented on her post, writing: "Best Acceptance Speech Ever," and, "that's awesome.

A night to remember! Hollywood’s biggest stars came together to celebrate TV at the 2022 Emmys in Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on Monday, September 12, bringing the laughs and more.

The biggest compliment we can give Done + Dusted, the production company behind the past three Emmy Award ceremonies, is that they got it in at exactly three hours and they did it without straining the proceedings. They handed out 25 awards, had some great speeches and some funny bits.

she became the second Black actress to win the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, 35 years after Jackée Harry became the first to do so in 1987. Harry, who won the Emmy for playing Sandra on the NBC comedy series celebrated Ralph's Emmy win with a touching Instagram post where she detailed the  star's monumental moment. «Winning my Emmy was a career highlight, but it was also a lonely experience. For 35 years I’ve been the only black woman to win Outstanding Supporting Actresses in a Comedy Series.

co-star, Janelle James, as well as Alex Borstein (Hannah Einbinder (Kate McKinnon (and 's Sarah NilesJuno Temple andHannah Waddingham.Ralph serenaded the crowd while accepting her award — her first Primetime Emmy Award in a career spanning over five decades — onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles during the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. Singing Dianne Reeves' «Endangered Species,» Ralph delivered a statement with her song before motivating the audience with a beautiful speech filled with hope and gratitude.«To anyone that has ever, ever had a dream and though your dream, wasn't, wouldn't, couldn't, come true, I am here to tell you that is what believing looks like,» Ralph said, beginning her impassioned acceptance speech.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is now an Emmy winner! The comedian won in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category, beating out her “Abbott Elementary” co-star, Janelle James, as well as Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”), Hannah Einbinder (“Hacks”), Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”), and “Ted Lasso‘”s Sarah Niles, Juno Temple andHannah Waddingham.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is officially an Emmy winner!