The stage is set, the crowd applauds, the winner is announced and the moment we've all been waiting for is about to happen...the glorious acceptance speech. In honour of Women’s Day, we’re celebrating bold and incredible speeches delivered by these exceptionally talented women who have brought such craft to the movie and television industry. These actresses poured their hearts out on stage. Here are amazing acceptance speeches that left a mark.
Viola Davis breaks Emmy records
Viola Davis became the first actress of colour to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series when she took home an Emmy for her performance as the fierce Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder. Her acceptance speech was equally outstanding. She paid tribute to black women breaking barriers in the TV industry and gave shout-outs to black actresses who had paved the way. Everyone in the room was touched. Thank you for schooling us Ms Davis!
Lupita Nyong'o wins an Oscar for 12 Years a Slave
Dressed like the beautiful breathtaking black princess she is, Lupita graced the stage and mesmerised everyone with her acceptance speech for winning Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave. Her grace, poise, and kindness shone that night.
Meryl Streep’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globes
Even though she lost her voice, she never lost her spark. Meryl took to the stage and gave a heartfelt speech for her Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Golden Globes. She shared her life stories, her fears, and her incredible 40-year journey with her signature charm and poise – and there’s one thing we can’t deny: Streep owns any stage that she graces.
Octavia Spencer wins a SAG Award for The Help
The remarkably talented Octavia Spencer won our hearts and Best Supporting Actress for The Help. She paid tribute to all the mothers and grandmothers of yesteryear. You don’t get more real than Spencer, and the woman is built with pure talent and commands respect.
Gwyneth Paltrow wins an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love
Her beauty is timeless. Gwyneth Paltrow will forever be remembered for her highly emotional speech when she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Shakespeare in Love. She literally cried through her speech, her words were heartfelt, and her tribute to her grandad was very touching.
Halle Berry wins an Oscar for Monster’s Ball
Halle Berry's soul shone on stage with her energetic and very emotional speech during her Oscar win. This one will forever go down in the history books of the Oscars.
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