The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were a night to remember for Anna Sawai.
Tonight, the 32-year-old became the first-ever Japanese actress to win an Emmy. Sawai won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for her portrayal of Lady Mariko in FX’s Shōgun, this year’s most nominated series.
Sawai marked the special moment in a vibrant red custom trumpet gown from Vera Wang. The designer, she revealed on the red carpet, was her first choice when it came time to choose a gown for her history-making night.
“I was crying before my name was announced—I’m a mess today,” Sawai said at the start of her acceptance speech. “Thank you to the Academy for naming me alongside my fellow nominees, whose work I have grown up watching and love. Thank you to [FX Networks chairman] John Landgraf and the whole FX team for believing in our story. Thank you for believing in me and giving me this role of a lifetime. And thank you to every single one of the crew and cast led by [costar Hiroyuki Sanada]—he really has opened doors and continues to open doors for people like me.”
She also went on to thank her mother, who attended the ceremony with her and inspired her portrayal of Lady Mariko.
“Lastly, thank you to my team and thank you to my family. Mom—I love you, you are the reason I’m here,” Sawai added. “You showed me stoicism, and that’s how I was able to portray Mariko. This is to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone.”
