Soap star rants against Viola Davis using the Emmys for 'racial opportunity' after her stirring acceptance speech on the prejudice faced by black actors
- General Hospital star Nancy Lee Grahn has apologized after attacking Viola Davis on Twitter Sunday night following her historic Emmy win
- Davis became the first African-American woman to win the award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role on How to Get Away With Murder
- Grahn wrote that Davis had 'never been discriminated against' and that the 'Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity'
- Many on Twitter attacked Grahn for her statements in the wake of Davis' powerful speech, which resulted in the soap star apologizing
- Even after she apologized many said her words were a clear example of 'white privilege' and 'white feminism'
- '30 yrs an advocate 4 human rights & now i'm a racist. Color me heartbroken,' wrote Grahn at the end of the night
The soap star who attacked Viola Davis after she became the first African-American woman to ever win the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series at Sunday's Emmy Awards has apologized for her comments.
Nancy Lee Grahn wrote on Twitter following Davis' stirring speech in which she detailed the racism and sexism that exists in the film and television industries; 'I wish I loved #ViolaDavis speech, but I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it.'
Rhimes is the creator of the show How to Get Away With Murder in which Davis stars.
When one Twitter user then shared with Grahn a tweet sent out by Rhimes herself saying how much she loved Davis' speech, the actress responded by saying; 'I do 2. I think she's the bees knees but she's elite of TV performers. Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against.'
That statement caused a barrage of angry tweets directed at Grahn, with many attacking the 57-year-old General Hospital star for her comments, which she later apologized for on social media.
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Backtrack: General Hospital star Nancy Lee Grahn (left) has apologized after attacking Viola Davis (right) on Twitter Sunday night following her historic Emmy win
Grahn at first attempted to explain the reason behind her tweet, writing; 'Viola Davis winning lead actress Emmy's historic. My upset is acting awards dont fix racial injustice. As an actor I see how irrelevant we r.'
This came after she had written a since deleted tweet that read; 'Im a f***ing actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled.'
She then offered an apology for her words, saying; '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.
'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.'
This led to many attacking Grahn even more, with many saying her words were a clear example of 'white privilege; and 'white feminism.'
Grahn, who has been one of the stars of General Hospital for 20 years now after getting her start on the soap Santa Barbara in the 1980s, wrote at the end of the night; '30 yrs an advocate 4 human rights & now i'm a racist. Color me heartbroken. Twitter can bring out the best & sadly tonight the worst of us.'
Davis quoted Harriet Tubman in her acceptance speech after winning for her role in How to Get Away With Murder, saying; 'In my dreams and visions, I seemed to see a line, and on the other side of that line were green fields, and lovely flowers, and beautiful white ladies, who stretched out their arms to me over the line, but I couldn't reach them no-how.'
She then said, in what many considered to be the night's most moving speech; 'Let me tell you something: the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.
'You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.'
She went on to thank the many writers who helped to create the character she plays on the popular ABC drama, while also paying tribute to just a few of the other black woman who have helped to inspire her and others with their acting including Kerry Washington, Halle Berry, Meagan Good, Gabrielle Union and fellow nominee Taraji P. Henson.
Davis, 50, received a standing ovation as she left the stage.
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