At least one person was not a fan of Viola Davis’ Emmys acceptance speech. Soap star Nancy Lee Grahn wrote a series of tweets on Sunday, Sept. 20, ripping Davis’ emotional, winning moment onstage during the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards.
« I wish I loved #ViolaDavis Speech, » wrote Grahn, 57, who’s best known for her portrayal as Alexis Cassadine on General Hospital. « But I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it. »
Davis, 50, reduced the audience to tears after becoming the first black woman ever to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. « The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is simply opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there, » the How to Get Away With Murder actress said as she received a standing ovation. « So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people — people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black. »
Grahn then took to her verified Twitter account and railed against Davis. « Im a f–king actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled, » she wrote in a now-deleted tweet that was captured by BuzzFeed.
The soap star even suggested that Davis hasn’t experienced discrimination in Hollywood. « I think she’s the bees knees but she’s elite of TV performers, » she tweeted to a fan. « Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against. »
After receiving immediate backlash from the Internet, Grahn issued an apology. « I never mean to diminish her accomplishment. I wish I could get her roles. She is a goddess. I want equality 4 ALL women, not just actors, » she wrote. « I apologize 2 anyone who I offended. I’m women advocate since I became one. After reading responses, I hear u and my tweet was badly phrased. »
She followed up with a lengthier apology. « I apologize for my earlier tweets and now realize I need to check my own privilege, » Grahn wrote. « My intention was not to take this historic and important moment from Viola Davis or other women of color but I realize that my intention doesn’t matter here because that is what I ended up doing. I learned a lot tonight and I admit that there are still some things I don’t understand but I am trying to and will let this be a learning experience for me. »
Meanwhile, many celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Sean « Diddy » Combs, and Shonda Rhimes took to social media on Sunday night to support Davis and her big win. « Wow , WOW! Another proud to spell my name W.O.M.A.N. Moment, » Winfrey noted. « Thank you @violadavis #EmmyWinner. »
Source: USMagazine.com
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