Veteran actress Sheryl Lee Ralph’s powerful speech for her first-time win at the Emmys was more than a speech. The epic Emmys moment brought everyone to their feet in an explosive ovation at the awards show and Twitter erupted with joy for the “Abbott Elementary” star.
Opening with a soulful rendition of Dianne Reeves’ “Endangered Species” song, Ralph continued with words of advice for the audience. “To anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream wasn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t come true, I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like, and don’t you ever, ever give up on you.”
Commentators, celebrities, fans and even the Mayor of Philadelphia sang Ralph’s praises.
We go now to a live reaction to Sheryl Lee Ralph’s acceptance speech: pic.twitter.com/VeNVYyZDiC
— Susan Arendt (@SusanArendt) September 13, 2022
Sheryl Lee Ralph blew the roof off the #emmys with this speech! pic.twitter.com/MFJzIqxBWC
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) September 13, 2022
I want Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Emmy speech tattooed on my forehead. I loved it that much.
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (he/him/his) (@jessetyler) September 13, 2022
Give Sheryl Lee Ralph a Tony for her Emmy acceptance speech, please and thank you.
— R. Eric Thomas (@oureric) September 13, 2022
Congratulations to Sheryl Lee Ralph, one of Philadelphia’s most passionate, proud, and community-driven hometown heros. What a speech! https://t.co/K7vugsjW0F
— Mayor Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) September 13, 2022
That Sheryl Lee Ralph speech was one for the history books. Still not over it. pic.twitter.com/j66q3Je294
— Joaquim Caetano (@joafrcaetano) September 13, 2022
Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary”! The best acceptance sing/speech ever.
— Lorraine Ali (@LorraineAli) September 13, 2022
Thee Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The ICON, the LEGEND, the MOMENT, theeeeee DREAMGIRL
Perfect ‘speech’ for a moment of long overdue recognition. She sang life back into our souls. Will literally watch this on repeat for the rest of time #Emmys2022 pic.twitter.com/hNGg6EBFIW
— Nọ́lá Thee Journalist (@NolaMarianna) September 13, 2022
Lizzo’s reaction after she realized she had to follow Sheryl Lee Ralph’s acceptance speech LOL pic.twitter.com/AcXCMAsQ2c
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) September 13, 2022
Lizzo just nailed how in awe we all are of Sheryl Lee Ralph’s acceptance speech.
I haven’t watched Abbott Elementary but it’s on the top of my list now! pic.twitter.com/VeV3WEjNYi
— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) September 13, 2022
An emotional Ralph went on to give thanks to “Abbott Elementary” writer-producer Quinta Bronson, her husband, her children and those who voted for her.
With echoes of “this is the best Emmy’s speech ever” and that her speech “won the Emmys,” basically everyone could agree that Ralph’s acceptance speech was one thing: everything.
THEEEE Sheryl Lee Ralph’s acceptance speech is about to be my new alarm clock… my new daily mantra… just everything.
“Don’t you ever, EVER give up on you!” #Emmys2022 pic.twitter.com/qAqXjdrGYA
— LESLIE MAYES NBC (@LeslieMayesTV) September 13, 2022
Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Emmy Acceptance Speech was everything!! #Emmys2022 pic.twitter.com/ZFQDWssbCe
— Alien Superstar (@__justkeith) September 13, 2022