We Dare You Not to Cry While Listening to Niecy Nash-Betts' Emotional Emmy Awards Acceptance Speech

"And you know who I want to thank? I want to thank me."

iecy Nash-Betts accepts the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie award for \201cDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story\201d onstage during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Niecy Nash-Betts gave a moving speech during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Dec. 15.

After winning for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her work in the Netflix show Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Nash-Betts took the Emmy stage and gave what many believe to be one of the best acceptance speeches of all-time.

“I’m a winner, baby!" Nash-Betts shouted while hoisting her Emmy trophy triumphantly in the air. "Thank you to the most high for this divine moment. Thank you Ryan Murphy for seeing me. Evan Peters, I love you. Netflix. Every single person who voted for me, thank you. My better half who picked me up when I was gutted from this work, thank you."

Niecy Nash and her wife singer Jessica Betts arrive for the 75th Emmy Awards

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Nash-Betts then thanked the person most responsible for her success: Herself.

"And you know who I want to thank? I want to thank me," she said, fighting back tears. "For believing in me and doing what they said I could not do and I want to say to myself in front of all of you beautiful people: 'Go on girl with your bad self, you did that.'"

The crowd erupted in applause, some celebrities going so far as to give Nash-Betts a standing ovation for taking the time to celebrate herself and show herself some much-deserved self-love.

The award-winning actress also made a strong political statement in defense and in honor of Black and brown women.

"Finally, I accept this award on behalf of every Black and brown woman who has gone unheard yet over-policed, like Glenda Cleveland; like Sandra Bland; like Breonna Taylor," she said, the crowd once again erupting in applause. "As an artist, my job is to speak truth to power and baby Imma doing it til the day I die. Mama, I won!” 

Nash-Betts won for her portrayal of Glenda Cleveland, who lived next to convicted murderer and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and who tried to alert the police of his behavior in 1991. Unfortunately, the police ignored Cleveland and Dahmer was not caught until much later.

Danielle Campoamor
Weekend Editor

Danielle Campoamor is Marie Claire's weekend editor covering all things news, celebrity, politics, culture, live events, and more. In addition, she is an award-winning freelance writer and former NBC journalist with over a decade of digital media experience covering mental health, reproductive justice, abortion access, maternal mortality, gun violence, climate change, politics, celebrity news, culture, online trends, wellness, gender-based violence and other feminist issues. You can find her work in The New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, New York Magazine, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, TODAY, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, InStyle, Playboy, Teen Vogue, Glamour, The Daily Beast, Mother Jones, Prism, Newsweek, Slate, HuffPost and more. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their two feral sons. When she is not writing, editing or doom scrolling she enjoys reading, cooking, debating current events and politics, traveling to Seattle to see her dear friends and losing Pokémon battles against her ruthless offspring. You can find her on X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and all the places.

Read more
Viola Davis Golden Globes 2025
Viola Davis Says "Magic" of Acting Helped "Teleport" Her Out of Poverty in Emotional Golden Globes Speech
emmys - helen mirren
The Most Astonishing Emmys Moments Ever
the cast and crew of emilia perez including karla sofia gascon accepts the best picture musical comedy win at the 2025 golden globes
'Emilia Pérez' Star Karla Sofía Gascón Dedicates the Film's Golden Globe Win to the Trans Community: "Raise Your Voice"
Mikey Madison accepts the award for Best Actress at the 2025 Oscars.
'Anora' Star Mikey Madison Takes Home the Best Actress Award at the 2025 Oscars in a Surprise Win
Demi Moore accepts her Golden Globe Award for 'The Substance,' at the 2025 Golden Globes.
Demi Moore Celebrates First-Ever Major Award Win at the 2025 Golden Globes as a "Marker of My Wholeness"
Zoe Saldaña accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2025 Oscars.
Zoe Saldaña Becomes the First American of Dominican Origin to Win an Oscar
Latest in Celebrity
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors
Meghan Markle in a beige shirt on stage at SXSW in March 2024
Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow Open Up About Their "Rift" Over Pie
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Benny Blanco in a purple shirt with a white tank top underneath and Selena Gomez in a black dress backstage at The Tonight Show in March 2025
Selena Gomez Says She’s "Excited" to Become a Mom Someday in Joint Interview with Benny Blanco
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Latest in News
Model with barely there makeup, glowy skin, and long coily hair.
Everything You Need to Know About Marie Claire’s Skin and Hair Awards
Kendall Jenner stands in a room wearing a bateau neckline top with coordinating skirt and pants
Kendall Jenner Pairs the Optical Illusion Skirt-Pant Trend With a Rich-Girl "Amazon" Clutch
Two men (Ike Barinholtz and Seth Rogen) sit at a conference table with a script in front of them, as two women (Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders) stand behind them, in 'The Studio.'
The Cast of 'The Studio': Your Guide
Bella Hadid walks into a studio wearing an oversize leather jacket with a pair of capri leggings and ballet sneakers
The Ballet Sneaker Trend Is Bella Hadid's Undisputed It-Shoe of 2025
Keke Palmer in a brown cutout dress and long copper hair
Keke Palmer Returns to the Dark Side With Deep Espresso Hair
Jonathan Davino in a blue shirt and gray blazer and Sydney Sweeney in a black and white patterned dress at the InStyle and Kate Spade dinner in October 2018
Sydney Sweeney Deletes Instagram of Fiancé Jonathan Davino, Further Fueling Breakup Rumors