Regina King wanted to "curse" when she picked up her Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Limited Series.
Regina King's Instagram post
The 47-year-old actress was stunned to be the first person of colour to win at the ceremony on Monday (17.09.18) when she was honoured for her role in 'Seven Seconds' and admitted she hadn't prepared a speech because she didn't expect the accolade.
She said after she got on stage at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theater: "Really? Say word.
"Wow, I didn't have nothing to say because I wasn't really expecting this, but I am so grateful television academy. Y'all are my friends, my peers, thank you, thank you, thank you. This is amazing. I wanna curse right now. This is good."
And referring to host Michael Che's opening monologue joke that only black actors thank Jesus in their speeches, she added: "Thank you Jesus: Michael Che."
After the show cut to a commercial break, the presenter highlighted his comment had been accurate.
He quipped: "First of all, congratulations to Regina King for winning. I just wanna remind everybody that Jeff Daniels thanked his horse."
Regina had been super-excited to just go to the ceremony, and posting a photo of herself dressed and ready to attend the awards bash to Instagram, she wrote: "Hey hey hey ... happy #emmy day! (sic)"
Regina beat out 'The Sinner' star Jessica Biel, Laura Dern from 'The Tale', 'Godless' actress Michelle Dockery, Edie Falco from 'Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders and 'American Horror Story: Cult's Sarah Paulson to take the prize.
Meanwhile, Lead Actor in a Limited Series was taken by Darren Criss for his role as killer Andrew Cunanan in 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story'.
He fought back tears as he paid tribute to those who worked on the show and his supportive family, admitting the win was the "most extraordinary moment" of his life.
He said: "Oh my God, you guys are witnessing the most extraordinary moment of my life thus far...
"Unlike the character I play, I was lucky enough to be raised in a home that was loving."
He then praised his fiancée, Mia Swier.
He added: "My darling Mia, you roll the windows down and pump the music up in my life."
His fellow nominees for the honour included Antonio Banderas, for 'Genius: Picasso', 'Patrick Melrose' actor Benedict Cumberbatch, 'The Looming Tower' star Jeff Daniels, Jesse Plemons for 'USS Callister (Black Mirror)' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert' star John Legend.
'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' also picked up the Limited Series prize.
Tagged in Regina King Darren Criss