General Hospital Star Apologizes for Tweets About Viola Davis’ Emmy Speech

2 minute read

How to Get Away With Murder actress Viola Davis became the first black woman to win the Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series during Sunday’s ceremony. Her emotional acceptance speech, in which she declared that “the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” was widely considered one of the evening’s highlights.

Count General Hospital actress Nancy Lee Grahn among the few who weren’t moved. “I wish I loved #ViolaDavis Speech, but I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it,” Grahn tweeted. Later, she wrote, “I think she’s the bees knees but she’s elite of TV performers. Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against.” In response to another user, Grahn also said she wished Davis had “brought every woman in the picture” instead of focusing on women of color.

Read next: Viola Davis Says ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ Sex Scenes Should Be Uncomfortable

Those comments were quickly met with sharp criticism, prompting Grahn to issue several apologies from her Twitter account. Here’s one of them:

“I apologize for my earlier tweets and now realize I need to check my own privilege. My intention was not to take this historic and important moment from Viola Davis or other women of color but I realize that my intention doesn’t matter here because that is what I ended up doing. I learned a lot tonight and I admit that there are still some things I don’t understand but I am trying to and will let this be a learning experience for me.”

Grant stayed up responding and apologizing to Twitter users throughout the evening “as penance,” but she made it clear that her apology didn’t get the reaction she was hoping for.

“3am. Tried 2 respond 2 u with love as I should, Gotten mostly condescension & vitriol. Tomorrow, new day. Wont begin it with anything but love…

30 yrs an advocate 4 human rights & now i’m a racist. Color me heartbroken. Twitter can bring out the best & sadly tonight the worst of us.”

Read next: Viola Davis: ‘The Opportunities in Film are Still Few and Far Between’

[People]

See Photos of Celebrities at the 2015 Emmys

67th Emmys Awards - Taraji P. Henson - 2015
Taraji P. Henson at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - SofÌa Vergara - 2015
SofÌa Vergara at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Dan Steinberg—Invision/Television Acad
67th Emmys Awards - Ariel Winter and Laurent Claude Gaudette - 2015
Ariel Winter and Laurent Claude Gaudette at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Charles Sykes—Invision
67th Emmys Awards - Carice van Houten - 2015
Carice van Houten at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Danny Moloshok—Invision/Television Acad
67th Emmys Awards - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau - 2015
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Gwendoline Christie - 2015
Gwendoline Christie at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Sophie Turner - 2015
Sophie Turner at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Maisie Williams - 2015
Maisie Williams at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Elisabeth Moss - 2015
Elisabeth Moss at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Jessica Pare - 2015
Jessica Pare attends the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - January Jones - 2015
January Jones at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Kiernan Shipka - 2015
Kiernan Shipka at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Christina Hendricks - 2015
Christina Hendricks at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Uzo Aduba - 2015
Uzo Aduba at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Danielle Brooks - 2015
Danielle Brooks at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Laverne Cox - 2015
Laverne Cox at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Samira Wiley - 2015
Samira Wiley at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Laura Prepon - 2015
Laura Prepon at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Mark Ralston—AFP/Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Dascha Polanco - 2015
Dascha Polanco at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Larry Busacca—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Taryn Manning - 2015
Taryn Manning at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Andy Samberg - 2015
Andy Samberg at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Heidi Klum - 2015
Heidi Klum at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Charissa Thompson - 2015
Charissa Thompson at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Danny Moloshok—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Nancy O’Dell - 2015
Nancy O’Dell at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Giuliana Rancic - 2015
Giuliana Rancic at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Teyonah Parris - 2015
Teyonah Parris at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Tatiana Maslany - 2015
Tatiana Maslany at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Keltie Knight - 2015
Keltie Knight at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Danny Moloshok—Invision/AP
Louise Roe
Louise Roe arrives at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 20, 2015, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.Danny Moloshok—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Sarah Paulson - 2015
Sarah Paulson at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Mark Davis—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Jessica Lange - 2015
Jessica Lange at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Mario Anzuoni—Reuters
67th Emmys Awards - Emma Roberts - 2015
Emma Roberts at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage
67th Emmys Awards - Lady Gaga - 2015
Lady Gaga at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage
67th Emmys Awards - Jamie Lee Curtis - 2015
Jamie Lee Curtis at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Allison Janney - 2015
Allison Janney at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Dan Steinberg—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Lily Tomlin - 2015
Lily Tomlin at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Alberto E. Rodriguez—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Aubrey Plaza - 2015
Aubrey Plaza at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Amy Poehler - 2015
Amy Poehler at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Mario Anzuoni—Reuters
67th Emmys Awards - Julia Louis-Dreyfus - 2015
Julia Louis-Dreyfus at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Tony Hale - 2015
Tony Hale at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Jane Krakowski - 2015
Jane Krakowski at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Amy Schumer - 2015
Amy Schumer at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Charles Sykes—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Nazanin Boniadi - 2015
Nazanin Boniadi at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Dan Steinberg—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Padma Lakshmi - 2015
Padma Lakshmi at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Mark Davis—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein - 2015
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Renee Bargh - 2015
Renee Bargh at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Christine Marzano - 2015
Christine Marzano at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Kat Deeley - 2015
Kat Deeley at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Mario Anzuoni—Reuters
67th Emmys Awards - Liz Hernandez - 2015
Liz Hernandez at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci/Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - David Foster - 2015
David Foster at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 19, 2015 in Los Angeles. Dan Steinberg—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Natasha Lyonne - 2015
Natasha Lyonne at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Lauren Lapkus - 2015
Lauren Lapkus at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Paul Buck—EPA
67th Emmys Awards - David Benioff and Amanda Peet - 2015
David Benioff and Amanda Peet at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan - 2015
Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Kim Dickens - 2015
Kim Dickens at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Charles Sykes—Invision
67th Emmys Awards - Kate McKinnon - 2015
Kate McKinnon at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Danny Moloshok—Invision/Television Acad
67th Emmys Awards - Nathan Anderson and Anthony Anderson - 2015
Nathan Anderson and Anthony Anderson at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Danny Moloshok—Invision/Television Acad
67th Emmys Awards - Tracee Ellis - 2015
Tracee Ellis at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Steve Granitz—WireImage/Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Maggie Gyllenhaal - 2015
Maggie Gyllenhaal at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Felicity Huffman - 2015
Felicity Huffman at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/Television Acad
67th Emmys Awards - Regina King - 2015
Regina King at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Vince Bucci—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Debbie Matenopoulos - 2015
Debbie Matenopoulos at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Danny Moloshok—Invision/AP
67th Emmys Awards - Ellie Kemper - 2015
Ellie Kemper at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Mark Davis—Getty Images
67th Emmys Awards - Morena Baccarin - 2015
Morena Baccarin at the 67th Emmy Award on Sept. 20, 2015 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison—Getty Images

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