What Emmy winner Niecy Nash-Betts said backstage: “I did something that people said I could not do because I believed in me”

Her acceptance speech for her role in Dahmer: Monster—The Jeffrey Dahmer Story was already one of the highlights of the night, but backstage in the press room Niecy Nash-Betts went even further in explaining why one of the people she thanked in her speech was herself. “I was known for a long time in this town as a comedic actress only, and I really wanted to be able to prove to my peers and my industry that I got some other tricks up these beautiful sleeves,” the former Reno 911! star said. “I’m the only one who knows what it costs me. I’m the only one who knows how many nights I cry because I couldn’t be seen for a certain type of role. I’m the one who knows what it’s like to go through divorce on camera and still have to pull up and show out, and you still got to go home, and you have children and a whole life. And so I’m proud of myself. I’m proud that I did something that people said I could not do because I believed in me. And sometimes people don’t believe in themselves, and I hope my speech was a delicious invitation for people to do just that.”