Celebrating Niecy Nash-Betts for Black History Month.
There was one moment from 2024 that firmly deserves to be etched into the showbiz history books. If you weren’t paying attention, it was an empowering speech at the Emmys this January that brought some of the crowd to tears.
Of course, we’re talking about Niecy Nash-Betts, the Dahmer actor who rightly walked away with the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
While her performance in the Netflix show — where her character navigates being neighbours with a serial killer — certainly deserves all the praise, her acceptance speech was even more empowering.
Taking to the stage, Niecy shared an important message about the power of believing in herself, declaring her self-celebration to the applauding crowd. As well as thanking all the people she worked with before her first Emmy win, Niecy had an important message to share, and it was epic.
“I want to thank me, for believing in me and doing what they said I could not do. And I want to say to myself in front of all these beautiful people, “Go on girl with your bad self. You did that,” she told the crowd.
“Finally, I accept this award on behalf of every Black and brown woman who has gone unheard yet overpoliced. Like Glenda Cleveland. Like Sandra Bland. Like Breonna Taylor. As an artist, my job is to speak truth to power, and baby, I’ma do it ’til the day I die.”
That moment will go down in history as one of the Emmy's most important speeches, and we’re so here for it. Given that it’s Black History Month and Niecy is known for making truly historic speeches, we wanted to celebrate her in all glory. So, let’s get to know Niecy.
Niecy Nash’s rise to stardom
Niecy Nash is now 53 years old and a recognizable figure on our TV screens thanks to spectacular performances in shows like When They See Us and Selma. She’s an incredible actor.
Born in California, Nash became interested in the entertainment world early and seemingly hasn’t looked back. Some personal tragedies also impacted her younger years and shaped who she is today. Experiences such as seeing her mother shot by a partner followed by the death of her brother, Michael Ensley, in a tragic 1993 school shooting, are traumas that she will always carry.
Despite her profound personal challenges, Nash found comfort in her passion for acting and comedy. She’s always been funny, cracking jokes and sharing joy with the people around her. However, it wouldn’t be until her adult life that she realized how much her comedy was a gift.
She began her career with small roles in shows like "Party of Five" and "The Bernie Mac Show," gradually making a name for herself in Hollywood. Her breakout role as Deputy Raineesha Williams in the comedy series "Reno 911!" propelled her into the spotlight.
Nash's comedic timing and undeniable charisma led to a string of successful roles in film and television, earning critical acclaim for her performances.
On finding love and never looking back
Niecy is not just an amazing actor, she’s also an icon in the Black LGBTQ+ community. Even in the face of challenges this sometimes presents in the entertainment world, she’s always been true to herself.
According to Vanity Fair, Niecy’s pal, producer Ryan Murphy, shared a beautiful tribute to the actor for her work in 2023. However, he also revealed that the star had been warned against marrying her partner, Jessica, because it may impact her career. Niecy’s response? Living her truth was more important than the way Hollywood perceived her. During her interview with the outlet, Niecy said: “I’m just a person who does what I want to do. I’ve worked long enough, I’m old enough, I’ve maturated emotionally. I do what I want to do.
She added: “I wanted to get married and I felt like it would’ve been a disservice for me to live anything other than my truth, come what may. So regardless of the outcome, it would’ve been harder on me to try to hide my life or step away from the life that I wanted, then it would’ve been for me to stand flatfooted in it.”
Married since 2020, Niecy and Jessica appear to be on cloud nine, often sharing sweet snaps of appreciation on social media.
Niecy’s message to the world
Niecy is very committed to raising people’s self-esteem and helping them see the world more positively. She’s appeared in numerous interviews where her beautiful energy truly shines through. One time in 2018, she reminded a panel audience of the true value of believing in yourself. “That’s why it’s not called them-esteem or us-esteem,” she said. “It’s called self-esteem. Nobody has to believe what God told you but you.”
Reflecting on her past acceptance speeches, she has also previously remarked that she knows the journey is long. There have been nights of tears, struggles in front of the camera and real moments where Niecy felt like giving up — but she didn’t.
And that sheer determination and passion is what we love about Niecy.
And it’s something that she wants everyone to embrace in their own lives, as she told USA Today:
"If anybody gleans anything from me – even if you don't like me, even if you think I'm a terrible person and I'm making terrible choices – what I do hope you can latch onto is that I run toward the freedom to do so. And whatever it is you believe in and whatever it is you feel like is right for you, run towards it with reckless abandon.”
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