Madison Meeks

Editor-in-Chief

mvm7037@psu.edu

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – A milestone was marked at the 75 Primetime Emmy Awards. Quinta Brunson, star of ABC’s hit sitcom ‘Abbott Elementary’ became the first black woman to win a Primetime Emmy for best leading actress in a comedy series. 

According to ABC, “the last time a Black actress won the award was in 1981, when Isabel Sanford took home an Emmy for her role in “The Jeffersons”.  This year is Brunson’s first ever acting Emmy, while her other win in 2022 was for outstanding writing for a comedy series for her show ‘Abbott Elementary’. 

‘Abbott Elementary’ is an ABC series that follows a group of teachers as they work in a fictional elementary school in Philadelphia. The show also highlights the unique style of mockumentary which is only seen in a few shows like ‘The Office’, ‘Parks and Recreation’, and ‘Modern Family’.

 Brunson accepted her award in person on January 15. She stated “I am so happy to be able to live my dream and act out comedy. I love my mom, my dad, my sisters, my brothers, my entire family so much. I love my husband. I’m so happy. I love my cast. I love ‘Abbott Elementary’. Thank you so much”. 

While on the red carpet before the ceremony, Brunson was interviewed by the Associated Press with Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold, who play Pam and Gina on the show ‘Martin’. She stated “This is a dream come true. These two were powerhouses on a show that was not named after them, but for people like me, OK, Pam and Gina meant more to me than anybody else growing up”. She also stated “That’s what the importance of women like this is. They’re playing in my home constantly, still to this day. I can’t give these two women enough credit. I don’t even know what to say, them and ‘In Living Color’, I didn’t even know it was representation at the time, and that’s what it was”. Brunson’s show ‘Abbott Elementary’ returns to ABC on February 7 for its third season.