Orange is the New Black’s recent Emmy nominations came in historic fashion this year. Laverne Cox, who plays a remorseful scam artist in the popular Netflix series, has become the first openly transgender woman to be nominated for an Emmy.
Cox, who plays Sophia Burset in the series, was nominated for best guest actress in a comedy series and told the Los Angeles Times that she didn’t give it much thought on the eve of the announcement.
“I went to sleep and I let it go, I said, ‘OK, God, I think the show’s going to be nominated. And that’s amazing.’ And I closed my eyes and let it go,” she recalled.
Her character in the hit TV show is imprisoned for boosting credit cards to pay for a transgender operation and manages to steal her scenes without being over-the-top or flamboyant. But Cox was definitely excited about the news of her nomination, telling the Times that it also feels strange she is the one being honored.
“It’s so weird,” Cox continued. “Part of me wonders why it’s me because there’s so many amazingly talented, smart, beautiful trans actors out there. It’s weird that it’s me having the big moment right now. There are people out there who deserve it as much and I’d like to send them a lot of love today.”
Even with the groundbreaking nomination, she still isn’t a shoe-in to win the role, as she’s up against two of her Orange is the New Black co-stars and a couple more from SNL.
Thumb through the picture gallery below to see Cox and her castmates celebrating at the 4th Annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards.
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Photos: FayesVision/WENN.com
