Emmys could make history with first African American Best Actress as Taraji P Henson and Viola Davis are nominated...after 'Oscars So White' scandal
The Emmy Awards took a modest step toward recognizing TV's increasing embrace of diverse talent on Thursday during its nominations announcement.
The Television Academy gave best actress nods to black stars Taraji P. Henson for Empire and Viola Davis for How to Get Away with Murder.
'This is what it's supposed to be like. You should recognize actors and creative people in this industry from every level of all colors who do great work,' Queen Latifah said.
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Could make history: The Emmy Awards gave best actress nods to two black stars, including Taraji P. Henson for Empire
The nominations set up the possibility of a history-making win: An African-American actress has never won the top drama acting award.
However, two-time nominee Kerry Washington of Scandal was left out this year.
'I gotta win! I gotta win for history!' an exuberant Henson said in May when asked about the prospect during an 'Empire' panel.
A modest step forward: Viola Davis was also nominated for How to Get Away with Murder
Another one in the rankings: Family comedy Black-ish earned an acting bid for star Anthony Anderson, but failed to gain a best series nomination
The nomination news comes after the 'Oscars So White' scandal earlier this year.
The hashtag 'Oscars So White' began trending on Twitter last winter in response to a tremendous lack of diversity in the nominations for the Academy Awards.
Many great films and performances were snubbed, sparking outrage, as the 2015 Oscars proved to be the worst year for diversity since 1998.
Snubbed: Two-time nominee Kerry Washington of Scandal was left out this year
Favourite: Uzo Aduba is nominated again for best supporting actress, after winning the previous year
Not a single Asian, Hispanic, or black actor was nominated for the most prestigious awards ceremony in the United States.
Meanwhile, for the Emmys, family comedy Black-ish earned an acting bid for star Anthony Anderson, but failed to gain a best series nomination.
Also snubbed: freshman hit hip-hop-family drama Empire, which was left out of the best drama series category, and series star Terrence Howard, who failed to get a best drama actor bid.
No leading men: Terrence Howard was snubbed for his role in Empire, as old favourites like Jon Hamm dominated the nominations
Instead, voters gave nods to favorites such as Mad Men star Jon Hamm, Spacey of House of Cards and newcomer Bob Odenkirk for Better Call Saul.
The prequel to the now-concluded Breaking Bad earned a best drama bid in its first season out.
Gina Rodriguez, the standout Latina star of Jane the Virgin, failed to get a comedy acting nod despite winning a Golden Globe award for her performance.
The relatively expansive ethnic diversity that TV offers - compared to movies, which honored only white actors this year - also is in play when it comes to sexuality. Transparent and Jeffrey Tambor's portrayal of a transsexual's life received best comedy series and acting bids.
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