Watch Empire Creator Lee Daniels Give a Moving Toast to His Mom

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Director and producer Lee Daniels credits his success to a special woman in his life — his mom, Clara Watson, whom he toasted with a moving address at the TIME 100 gala on Tuesday.

The creator of the hit television series Empire told attendees his life as a gay African American man could have gone very differently were it not for the support of his mother. “My mom knew early on that I was gay. And she knew that I had to get out of the ghetto,” Daniels said. He acknowledged that many of his friends have died from HIV and AIDS. “That I don’t have HIV is a miracle from God.”

The 2015 TIME 100 honoree — who was feted by Oprah Winfrey on this year’s list — concluded by asking his mother to stand up to a round of applause from the audience. “This evening is for my mom, because she knew that I was destined for something,” he said. “What that something is, I don’t know. But I love her from the bottom of my heart.”

See the Stars at the 2015 TIME 100 Gala

Kanye West and his wife, reality television star Kim Kardashian, arrive for the TIME 100 Gala in New York
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters
2015 Time 100 Gala
Emma Watson attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Toth—FilmMagic/Getty Images
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet
Julianne Moore attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet
Lorne Michaels attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West, along with Amy Schumer, attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
Amy Schumer attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Amy Schumer attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals
John Oliver attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals
Misty Copeland attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals
Jorge Ramos attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
Barbara Walters attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Barbara Walters attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals
Arianna Huffington attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals
Lindsey Vonn and Karlie Kloss attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Lobby Arrivals
Julianna Margulies attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Bennett Raglin—Getty Images for TIME
NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside
Brian Chesky and Elissa Patel attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan—Sipa USA
Diane Von Furstenberg attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Diane Von Furstenberg attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
Padma Lakshmi attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.
Padma Lakshmi attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
Danny Meyer and Audrey Meyer attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Danny Meyer and Audrey Meyer attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
John Green and Sarah Urist Green attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
John Green and Sarah Urist Green attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
Abby Wambach and Sarah Huffman attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Abby Wambach and Sarah Huffman attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.
Dr. Tom Frieden attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
Ina Garten and Jeffrey Garten attend the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Ina Garten and Jeffrey Garten attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
Chanda Kochhar attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.
Chanda Kochhar attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
Rupert Murdoch attends the TIME 100 Gala at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.
Rupert Murdoch attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet
Arianna Huffington attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet
Jenji Kohan attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Red Carpet
Lindsey Vonn attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY on Apr. 21, 2015.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Guests at the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Martha Stewart and Kim Kardashian West attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Larry Busacca—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Bradley Cooper and Willie Geist attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
Bradley Cooper and Emma Watson attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Laverne Cox attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Diane von Furstenberg and Julianne Moore attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Christopher Nolan talks to TIME reporter Nolan Feeney during the TIME 100 gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015.Jemal Countess—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Kim Kardashian West attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Martha Stewart and Karlie Kloss attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
John Oliver attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Samantha Powers, Ronan Farrow, Mia Farrow, and Cass Sunstein attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Craig Venter and Elizabeth Holmes attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside
Bradley Cooper, Jane Boon, Norman Pearlstein attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan —Sipa USA
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Barbara Walters and Diane von Furstenberg attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Larry Busacca—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe and Kira Orange-Jones attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Arianna Huffington, Nancy Gibbs and Samantha Power attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala
Brian Grazer and guest attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Cocktails
Lee Daniels and Clara Watson attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015. Jemal Countess—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
Tim McGraw performs onstage during TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Apr. 21, 2015 in New York City. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
Bradley Cooper, Nancy Gibbs, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian West attend the TIME 100 gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Apr. 21, 2015.Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
Kanye West performs at TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Apr. 21, 2015 in New York City. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
Kanye West performs on stage at the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside
Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Clint Spaulding—Patrick McMullan/Sipa USA
NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside
Julianna Margulies and Keith Lieberthal attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan —Sipa USA
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
George Lucas, Kanye West, and Elon Musk attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
Bradley Cooper and Lorne Michaels attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside
Martha Stewart Kanye West attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan —Sipa USA
NY: 2015 Time 100 Gala - Inside
Laverne Cox, Kim Kardashian and Naomi Campbell attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Patrick McMullan—Sipa USA
TIME 100 Gala, TIME's 100 Most Influential People In The World - Dinner
Marie Kondo, Julianne Moore and Jenna Lyons attend the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 21, 2015. Kevin Mazur—Getty Images for TIME
Laverne Cox poses with a gift bag as she attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.
Laverne Cox poses with a TIME 100 gift bag as she attends the TIME 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York, NY, on Apr. 21, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker for TIME

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