Emmy Awards 2020: Winner’s announced on television’s biggest night
Emmy Awards 2020 winners: Zendaya, 24, makes history as YOUNGEST EVER to win Lead Actress while Succession earns top drama honor and Schitt’s Creek SWEEPS comedy categories during social distanced gala
- At just 24-year-old, the actress – full name Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman – was the youngest to ever earn Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on HBO series Euphoria
- The top honor of the night, however, went to Succession as the series earned Outstanding Drama Series at the end of the night
- Show creator Jesse Armstrong accepted the award from his hotel room in London as he called out US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a list of ‘Un-thank yous’
- Earlier in the night, Succession earned another big win as Jeremy Strong took home Lead Actor in Drama Series for his role as Kendall Roy on the program
- Schitt’s Creek opened the 72nd Annual Emmy Awards in historic form as it swept the comedy categories en route to winning the first seven gongs of the night
- It all culminated when the Pop TV sitcom took home Outstanding Comedy Series as it was the first time the comedy categories have been swept since Modern Family in 2014
- Regina King earned Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Watchmen
- Mark Ruffalo won the actor award for I Know This Much Is True
- Tyler Perry was also honored at the event with the Governors Award which was presented by Oprah Winfrey.
- The event was held in the empty Staples Center arena in Los Angeles – where host Jimmy Kimmel was as well as a few celebrities – as winners accepted their awards over video call from their homes around the world
Zendaya made history as she was the youngest to ever win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama as HBO’s Succession came home with the top prize, Outstanding Drama Series, and Schitt’s Creek swept the comedy categories at the 72nd Annual Emmy Awards on Sunday night.
The event was held in the empty Staples Center arena in Downtown Los Angeles – where host Jimmy Kimmel was as well as a few celebrities including Jennifer Aniston – as winners accepted their awards over video call from their homes around the world.
At just 24-year-old, the actress – full name Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman – was the youngest to ever earn Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on HBO series Euphoria.
She beat out a very impressive field including: Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Olivia Colman (The Crown), Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Laura Linney (Ozark), and Sandra Oh (Killing Eve).
Earning it: At just 24-year-old, Zendaya was the youngest to ever earn Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on HBO series Euphoria at the 72nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night
Top dog: Succession earned the top honor of the night, Outstanding Drama Series, as creator Jesse Armstrong accepted the honor in a hotel in London
Wow factor: Schitt’s Creek opened the 72nd Annual Emmy Awards in historic form as it swept the comedy categories en route to winning the first seven gongs of the night including Outstanding Comedy Series
Zendaya was shocked by the win as she said: ‘I’m really, really nervous. Okay. Okay. Oh, gosh. I just want to say thank you to the TV academy, and all the other women, this is crazy. Thank you, HBO and A24 for your support. Thank you to my family and my team. To the incredible cast and crew of Euphoria.’
On the series she plays protagonist Rue Bennett as it centers around a group of high school students as they grapple with issues of drugs, sex, and violence.
She gave a shoutout to her character as she said: ‘I’m so lucky and I’m inspired by everything you do. And Sam, I appreciate you so much. I’m so grateful you trusted me with your story, Rue.’
Zendaya made sure to acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic as well as unrest surrounding racial injustice in America as she said: ‘And I feel like this is a weird time to be celebrating, but there is hope in the young people out there. I know our TV show doesn’t always feel like a great example of that, but there is hope in the young people.
Beaming: She was shocked by the win as she said: ‘I’m really, really nervous. Okay. Okay. Oh, gosh. I just want to say thank you to the TV academy, and all the other women, this is crazy. Thank you, HBO and A24 for your support. Thank you to my family and my team. To the incredible cast and crew of Euphoria’
‘And I feel like this is a weird time to be celebrating’: Zendaya made sure to acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic as well as unrest surrounding racial injustice in America
Support system: The young star was surrounded by her friends and family who couldn’t help but cheer her own during the duration of her speech
‘I’m so grateful you trusted me with your story, Rue’: On the series she plays protagonist Rue Bennett as it centers around a group of high school students as they grapple with issues of drugs, sex, and violence and even gave a shoutout to her character
‘And to my peers out there doing the work in the streets, I see you, I admire you, and I thank you. And thank you so, so much. This is — whoa, okay. Thank you.’
The young star was surrounded by her friends and family who couldn’t help but cheer her own during the duration of her speech.
The top honor of the night, however, went to Succession as the series earned Outstanding Drama Series at the end of the night.
The HBO series beat out heavy competition including: Better Call Saul, The Crown, The Handmaid’s Tale, Killing Eve, The Mandalorian, Ozark, and Stranger Things.
Taking a stand: Show creator Jesse Armstrong accepted the award from his hotel room in London as he called out US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a list of ‘Un-thank yous’
Not holding back: The 48-year-old British author, screenwriter and producer said: ‘I’d like to do a couple of un-thank yous. Un-thank you to the virus for keeping us apart’
Finishing touches: Sterling K. Brown presented the last award of the night
Show creator Jesse Armstrong accepted the award from his hotel room in London as he called out US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a list of ‘Un-thank yous.’
The 48-year-old British author, screenwriter and producer said: ‘I’d like to do a couple of un-thank yous. Un-thank you to the virus for keeping us apart.
‘Un-thank you to President Trump for his crummy and uncoordinated response. Un-thank you to Boris Johnson for the same thing in our country. Un-thank you to the nationalists and quasi-nationalists. So, un-thank you.’
Earlier in the night, Succession earned another big win as Jeremy Strong took home Lead Actor in Drama Series for his role as Kendall Roy on the program.
Shocked: Earlier in the night, Succession earned another big win as Jeremy Strong took home Lead Actor in Drama Series for his role as Kendall Roy on the program
Aww: He got emotional during his acceptance speech as he said: ‘I’ve got to thank some people who have been there for me and believed in me when something like this felt basically impossible’
Quite the field: The 41-year-old American actor beat out stiff competition including Jason Bateman (Ozark), Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), Steve Carell (The Morning Show), Brian Cox (Succession) and Billy Porter (Pose)
Inspiration: After thanking his loved ones including wife and parents he continued: ‘I read a poem by Stephen Dunn that said, ‘All I ever wanted was a book so good I’ll be finishing it for the rest of my life’
Sign of the times: Succession follows a dysfunctional American global-media family
The 41-year-old American actor beat out stiff competition including Jason Bateman (Ozark), Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us), Steve Carell (The Morning Show), Brian Cox (Succession) and Billy Porter (Pose).
He got emotional during his acceptance speech as he said: ‘I’ve got to thank some people who have been there for me and believed in me when something like this felt basically impossible.’
After thanking his loved ones including wife and parents he continued: ‘I read a poem by Stephen Dunn that said, ‘All I ever wanted was a book so good I’ll be finishing it for the rest of my life.
‘This job was that, for me. Jesse Armstrong, I owe this to you, Brian Cox, I share this with you. Thank you so much.’
Schitt’s Creek opened up the show in historic form as it swept the comedy categories en route to winning the first seven gongs of the night.
Incredible: Schitt’s Creek took home Outstanding Comedy Series as it was the first time the comedy categories have been swept since Modern Family in 2014
Squad: Elton John introduced the show as he even revealed that he once spent time with he cast and crew
It all culminated when the Pop TV sitcom took home Outstanding Comedy Series as it was the first time the comedy categories have been swept since Modern Family in 2014.
The series beat out Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dead to Me ,The Good Place, Insecure, The Kominsky Method, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and What We Do in the Shadows.
Creators and father-son duo Eugene and Daniel Levy accepted the honor together as the son took time to urge viewers to vote.
Daniel said: ‘Oh, boy. Our show at its core is about the transformational effects of love and acceptance. We need it now more than ever before. If you have not registered to vote, please do so, and then go out and vote. That’s the only way we need love and acceptance out there. Dad, do the rest of the fun stuff, sorry for making this political.’
‘It was an honor to be in your company’: Eugene Levy was next as he won Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Schitt’s Creek
Sweet: As Schitt’s Creek was created by Eugene and his son Daniel – who was next to win an award – he made sure to credit his child during his speech as he said: ‘That brings me to my multi Emmy nominated partner, Daniel Levy’
His father then took the microphone to thank production and the networks involved in the show before focusing on his son.
Eugene ended his speech by saying: ‘I also want to thank once again this young man, who took our fish out of water story about the rose family and transformed it into a celebration of inclusivity, a castigation of homophobia, and a declaration of the power of love. Thank you, Daniel. Thank you, academy, thank you.’
Earlier in the night, the comedy legend Eugene won Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
The 73-year-old Canadian actor beat out heavy competition including Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Don Cheadle (Black Monday), Ted Danson (The Good Place), Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), and Ramy Youssef (Ramy).
‘This has been the greatest experience of my life’: Daniel, 37, then earned Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy series beating out Mahershala Ali (Ramy), Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method), Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Sterling K. Brown (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), William Jackson Harper (The Good Place), Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live)
Surprised: Daniel also won in the Writing In A Comedy Series category against Sam Johnson and Chris Marcil (What We Do In The Shadows), Tony McNamara (The Great), Stefani Robinson (What We Do In The Shadows), Michael Schur (The Good Place), Paul Simms (What We Do In The Shadows, and David West Read (Schitt’s Creek)
Shocked: The winning did not end there for Dan as he also won Oustanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the ‘Happy Ending’ episode along with Andrew Cividino
As Schitt’s Creek was created by Eugene and his son Daniel – who was next to win an award – he made sure to credit his child during his speech as he said: ‘That brings me to my multi Emmy nominated partner, Daniel Levy.
‘Who took our show and brilliantly guided it to this little Emmy party tonight. Thank you, son. Thank you, academy. And to my fellow Emmy nominees, it was an honor to be in your company. Thank you.’
Daniel, 37, then earned Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy series beating out Mahershala Ali (Ramy), Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method), Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Sterling K. Brown (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), William Jackson Harper (The Good Place), Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live)
Dan thanked his co-star and father Eugene, Catherine O’Hara, and on-screen sister Annie Murphy before concluding: ‘This has been the greatest experience of my life.
‘This is completely overwhelming and I thank you!’
He also won in the Writing In A Comedy Series category against Sam Johnson and Chris Marcil (What We Do In The Shadows), Tony McNamara (The Great), Stefani Robinson (What We Do In The Shadows), Michael Schur (The Good Place), Paul Simms (What We Do In The Shadows, and David West Read (Schitt’s Creek).
Golden: Catherine O’Hara won the first award of the night as she faced stiff competition in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category including Christina Applegate (Dead to Me), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me), Issa Rae (Insecure), and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)
Wow factor: Jennifer Aniston presented the first gong of the night
The winning did not end there for Dan as he also won Oustanding Directing for a Comedy Series for the series concluding ‘Happy Ending’ episode along with Andrew Cividino.
The sitcoms big run began with Catherine O’Hara earned the very first awards of the night which was presented by Jennifer Aniston and host Jimmy Kimmel.
She faced stiff competition in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category including Christina Applegate (Dead to Me), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Linda Cardellini (Dead to Me), Issa Rae (Insecure), and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish).
Catherine said: ‘Thank you for nominating me, and for topping off this fun evening with a trophy treat. I’ll forever be grateful to Eugene and Daniel Levy for giving me the opportunity to play a woman of a certain age, my age, who gets to be fully her ridiculous self.
‘They gathered the most fun-loving people in Toronto, and led us to be the best we can be for each other. But I must pay an especially big tribute to Debra Hanson, our wardrobe whisperer. And my makeup angel, and to our hair wrangler. Every day, they made me who I thought I was. And I would be an ungrateful person not to share it with them.’
Surprised: Finally the seventh Emmy given to the sitcom was earned by Annie Murphy who won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Epic: She beat out Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place), Betty Gilpin (Glow), Marin Hinkle (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) , Yvonne Orji (Insecure), and Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live)
Proud: Schitt’s Creek is centered around rich video-store magnate Johnny Rose and his family who suddenly find themselves broke and are forced to leave their pampered lives to regroup in Schitt’s Creek
Catherine’s big win only began Schitt’s Creek’s massive night as the sitcom, which aired on Pop TV, took home the first five awards of the night.
Finally the seventh Emmy given to the sitcom was earned by Annie Murphy who won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
She beat out Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place), Betty Gilpin (Glow), Marin Hinkle (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Yvonne Orji (Insecure), and Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live).
Schitt’s Creek – which concluded its sixth and final season in April – is centered around rich video-store magnate Johnny Rose and his family who suddenly find themselves broke and are forced to leave their pampered lives to regroup in Schitt’s Creek.
Perhaps an even bigger audience will be able to watch the show soon as Fox Television Studios recently scored the rights to syndicate the show, which is set to air all seasons starting from later this month.
Celebration: Regina King was a big winner as she earned Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her work in Watchmen
Sisterhood: The 49-year-old actress – who wore a Breonna Taylor tribute T-shirt – said: ‘Wow. This — this is so freaking weird. Oh. My sisters, it’s an honor to be in this category with you. I truly love being a thespian’
Social commentary: The eerily prescient comic book adaptation of Watchmen that debuted last October confronts historic US racism, police violence and even mask-wearing. It also wowed critics and audiences alike
Regina King was a big winner as she earned Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her work in Watchmen.
She beat out Cate Blanchett (Mrs. America)m Shira Haas (Unorthodox), Octavia Spencer (Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker), and Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere).
The 49-year-old actress – who wore a Breonna Taylor tribute T-shirt – said: ‘Wow. This — this is so freaking weird. Oh. My sisters, it’s an honor to be in this category with you. I truly love being a thespian.
‘Thank you, television academy, for choosing me to represent the thespian community.’
She went on to thank HBO and the entire team behind the production of the drama series before urging viewers to participate in the upcoming election before paying tribute to recently deceased Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Shining moment: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II also won for Watchmen as he earned Supporting Actor in Limited Series or Movie beating out Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend), Louis Gossett Jr. (Watchmen), Dylan McDermott (Hollywood), and Jim Parsons (Hollywood)
Shoutout: The 34-year-old actor said: ‘Watchmen was a story about trauma, and the lasting scars of white domestic terrorism, police corruption and brutality. But it was also a story of a god who came down to Earth to reciprocate to a black woman. And he did all of that in the body of a black man, and I’m so proud to have played him’
King concluded: ‘You got to vote. I would be remiss not to mention that, being a part of a show like “Watchmen.” Have a voting plan, vote up the ballot, please. Go to ballotpedia.com, and it’s very important. Be a good human. Rest in power, RBG. And thank you.’
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II also won for Watchmen as he earned Supporting Actor in Limited Series or Movie beating out Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend), Louis Gossett Jr. (Watchmen), Dylan McDermott (Hollywood), and Jim Parsons (Hollywood).
The 34-year-old actor said: ‘Watchmen was a story about trauma, and the lasting scars of white domestic terrorism, police corruption and brutality. But it was also a story of a god who came down to Earth to reciprocate to a black woman. And he did all of that in the body of a black man, and I’m so proud to have played him.
Dynamic duo: Watchmen was a big winner as writers Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson won in the Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Drama Special category for the episode This Extraordinary Being
Revealing: The eerily prescient comic book adaptation that debuted last October confronts historic US racism, police violence and even mask-wearing. It also wowed critics and audiences alike
‘I dedicate this to all the people in my life, my early investors. I love you, I appreciate you, and this is for you. Thank you.’
Watchmen was a big winner as writers Damon Lindelof and Cord Jefferson won in the Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Drama Special category for the episode This Extraordinary Being.
They beat out Tanya Barfield (Mrs. America), Susannah Grant, Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman (Unbelievable), and Sally Rooney and Alice Birch (Normal People)
Capturing this year’s somewhat anarchic zeitgeist, Watchmen led the charge with a whopping 26 nominations, primarily in the limited series categories.
Sending a message: Uzo Aduba won in the Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her role in Mrs. America as she wore a Breonna Taylor tribute T-Shirt
Interesting: Mrs. America is centered around Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly who leads an unexpected fight against the Equal Rights Amendment movement during the 1970s
The eerily prescient comic book adaptation that debuted last October confronts historic US racism, police violence and even mask-wearing. It also wowed critics and audiences alike.
Uzo Aduba won in the Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her role in Mrs. America as she wore a Breonna Taylor tribute T-Shirt.
The 39-year-old actress beat out Toni Collette (Unbelievable), Margo Martindale (Mrs. Americ), Jean Smart (Watchmen), Holland Taylor (Hollywood), and Tracey Ullman (Mrs. America).
Golden: Billy Crudup earned Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Morning Show
Dapper: The AppleTV show gives an inside look at the lives of the people who help America wake up in the morning, exploring the unique challenges faced by the men and women who carry out this daily televised ritual
Mrs. America is centered around Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly who leads an unexpected fight against the Equal Rights Amendment movement during the 1970s.
Billy Crudup earned Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Morning Show.
He won over heavy competition including: Nicholas Braun (Succession), Kieran Culkin (Succession), Mark Duplass (The Morning Show), Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), Matthew Macfadyen (Succession), Bradley Whitford (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Jeffrey Wright (Westworld).
Retro chic: Julia Garner was also a big winner as she won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Netflix series Ozark
Big win: She beat out Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown), Laura Dern (Big Little Lies), Thandie Newton (Westworld), Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve), Sarah Snook (Succession), Meryl Streep (Big Little Lies), and Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale)
The AppleTV show gives an inside look at the lives of the people who help America wake up in the morning, exploring the unique challenges faced by the men and women who carry out this daily televised ritual.
Julia Garner was also a big winner as she won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Netflix series Ozark.
She beat out Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown), Laura Dern (Big Little Lies), Thandie Newton (Westworld), Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve), Sarah Snook (Succession), Meryl Streep (Big Little Lies), and Samira Wiley (The Handmaid’s Tale).
Ozark is centered around a financial advisor who drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder money to appease a drug boss.
Hulking up: Mark Ruffalo won Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his work on I Know This Much Is True beating out competition including Jeremy Irons (Watchmen), Hugh Jackman (Bad Education), Paul Mescal (Normal People), and Jeremy Pope (Hollywood)
‘Our story was about a man, it’s about family’: The 52-year-old actor talked about the importance of the series which was centered around a middle-aged Dominick Birdsey who recounts his troubled relationship with Thomas, his paranoid schizophrenic twin brother, and his efforts to get him released from an asylum
Mark Ruffalo won Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his work on I Know This Much Is True beating out competition including Jeremy Irons (Watchmen), Hugh Jackman (Bad Education), Paul Mescal (Normal People), and Jeremy Pope (Hollywood).
The 52-year-old actor talked about the importance of the series which was centered around a middle-aged Dominick Birdsey who recounts his troubled relationship with Thomas, his paranoid schizophrenic twin brother, and his efforts to get him released from an asylum.
In his speech Ruffalo opened up about the importance of taking care of vulnerable people in America including people with mental illness as he said: ‘Our story was about a man, it’s about family. It’s about a man who is fighting for his brother who is living with mental illness.
Mogul: Tyler Perry was given one of the biggest honors of the night; Governors Award
Gamer recognize game: It was presented by Oprah Winfrey
‘It’s a story that is common throughout so much of the world today. And it asks a big question, how are we going to deal and honor and take care of each other and our most vulnerable people? And we do that with love, and we do that with compassion, and by fighting for them. And that is what we have to do today.
‘We have to come together with love, for each other. And if you have privilege, you have to fight for those who are less fortunate, and more vulnerable. And that is what a great about America, our diversity. One thing I’ve learned from my wife and children, we’re stronger together when we love each other and we respect each other’s diversity. And so we have a big, important moment ahead of us.’
Simply stunning: Jennifer Aniston looked gorgeous as she presented the first award of the night
Shining star: Tracee Ellis Ross was one of the first presenters of the night
Dapper: Jason Sudeikis presented Outstanding Comedy Series
Tyler Perry was also honored at the event with the Governors Award which was presented by Oprah Winfrey.
The African-American entertainment mogul has championed greater diversity in Hollywood, and this year paid funeral costs for black victims of police violence including George Floyd.
Jimmy Kimmel is the host of the event as he kicked off the show without an audience and instead canned audio and video from prior Emmy shows.
Flying solo: Jimmy Kimmel is the host of the event as he kicked off the show without an audience and instead canned audio and video from prior Emmy shows
Stock footage: During the monologue there was canned audio and clips from old Emmy’s shown of the audience
Like prom night: The 52-year-old then revealed that there was not actually an audience in attendance and that he was all alone as he poked fun at President Trump’s recent Nevada rally: ‘Of course I’m here all alone. Of course we don’t have an audience. This isn’t a MAGA rally, it’s The Emmy’s’
Interesting: They then showed cardboard cutouts in the crowd
Real life: Jason Bateman was actually there as he joined in on a monologue gag
Social distancing: Kimmel kept quite the distance between he and presenter Jennifer Aniston
Uh oh: They lit the Emmy envelope on fire in a garbage can
The 52-year-old then revealed that there was not actually an audience in attendance and that he was all alone as he poked fun at President Trump’s recent Nevada rally: ‘Of course I’m here all alone. Of course we don’t have an audience. This isn’t a MAGA rally, it’s The Emmy’s.’
This year’s Emmys honoring the best in television has already been radically different as producers scrambled to create Hollywood’s first major pandemic-era awards show.
The coronavirus has turned Tinseltown upside down, bringing productions to a halt even as stay-at-home orders around the world send binge-watching through the roof.
Keeping it clean: There were sanitizer stations in the shape of the Emmy Award
Sprawling: The event was held inside the massive Staples Center arena in Downtown Los Angeles as it is shown before showtime
Adding to the unpredictability on a night of firsts, 130-odd nominees who were sent cameras to hook up in their own living rooms have been encouraged to get creative with their speeches.
There was no red carpet and no star-studded audience. A-listers were invited to trade gowns and tuxedos for pajamas.
The few celebrities who did attend in person, however, were subject to COVID-19 tests before entry including Tracee Ellis Ross.
Taking all precautions: All attendees were subjected to COVID-19 tests including Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross.