‘When They See Us’ Star Jharrel Jerome’s Emmys Acceptance Speech Brought The Entire Audience To Tears

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Jharrel Jerome accepts the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie award for 'When They See Us' onstage during the 71st Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

‘When They See Us’ Star Jharrel Jerome’s Emmys Acceptance Speech Brought The Entire Audience To Tears

He was presented the award for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series by Angela Bassett.

Published September 22nd

Written by Smriti Mundhra

Just when we thought we were in for another #EmmysSoWhite. 

After a string of losses in other categories, When They See Us finally scored an Emmys win when young king Jharrel Jerome was awarded Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series for his role in Ava DuVernay’s record-breaking Netflix series. The moment brought the entire audience to its feet — and left them in tears.

Jerome, 21, was handed his statue by none other than the radiant Angela Bassett, and proceeded to give a speech to an audience on its feet. “I feel like I should just be in the Bronx right now, chillin’...waiting for my mom’s cooking or something,” he began, before thanking the important people in his life, including his radiant mother who was in the audience. He then wrapped up by honoring the men whose ordeal the series was about. “But most importantly, this is for the men we know as the Exonerated 5,” he concluded, naming each of the men formerly known as the Central Park Five — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise.

  1. DuVernay’s series corrects the history of the Central Park Five case, telling the story of the false convictions of five innocent Black men for a brutal 1989 rape, their years of imprisonment and eventual exonerations.

    There was hardly a dry eye in the house as Jerome left the stage. This was his first Emmy win, but we’re sure this won’t be the last time we’ll see him accepting an award.

    Social media was also very emotional. See what some had to say below.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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