Ali Wong extends her groundbreaking awards season streak with a triumphant win at the Emmy Awards
Monday’s Emmy Awards marked a groundbreaking moment for the Asian American community, with comedian Ali Wong making history as the first Asian woman to clinch the award for outstanding lead actress in a limited series or movie, honored for her role in Netflix’s “Beef.”
Emmy Awards
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Wong, also an executive producer on the show, Emmy Awards paid tribute to her late father, expressing gratitude to her parents and acknowledging her father’s influential role in her life. She emphasized his unconditional love and the valuable lessons on the significance of failure that he imparted. Wong’s win highlighted a significant achievement during an already notable awards season, as she had earlier secured the distinction of being the first Asian American to receive a Golden Globe for best actress in a limited series.
The competition in the lead actress category included formidable contenders such as Emmy Awards Lizzy Caplan for “Fleishman Is in Trouble,” Jessica Chastain for “George & Tammy,” Dominique Fishback for “Swarm,” Riley Keough for “Daisy Jones & the Six,” and Kathryn Hahn for “Tiny Beautiful Things.”
Wong dedicated her Emmy win to her two children, expressing profound gratitude and noting that they serve as her inspiration.
Additionally, Wong’s co-star Steven Yeun had a noteworthy evening, earning the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a limited series for his portrayal of Danny, a struggling and high-strung contractor in “Beef.” Yeun expressed the challenges of inhabiting Danny’s character and thanked the character for teaching him the profound lesson that judgment and shame create isolation, while compassion offers a common ground for all.
The creator of “Beef,” Lee Sung Jin, also celebrated success with two wins, securing trophies for best writing in a limited series and outstanding directing in a limited series. The A24-produced comedy-drama itself received the prestigious award for outstanding limited series, adding to its accolades after a previous win at the Golden Globes. Launched to critical acclaim in April, the series unfolds the intertwined lives of Danny and Amy, who, amid a road rage incident, become consumed by a quest to destroy each other while facing personal challenges.
