Dancing Jennifer Coolidge refuses to be played off stage in ‘truly perfect’ Emmys moment
Jennifer Coolidge accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty)
Jennifer Coolidge danced on stage at the Emmys after she was played off while accepting her award for The White Lotus.
The actress and all-round gay icon won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie for her turn in the series, which quickly picked up a massive queer following when it debuted in 2021.
Taking to the stage, Jennifer Coolidge paid tribute to her fellow nominees – and then she started talking about lavender baths and swelling.
“I just want to say I took a lavender bath tonight right before the show and it made me swell up inside my dress, and I’m having a hard time speaking,” Coolidge said to laughter from the audience.
“But anyway… this is so thrilling because you know, well first I gotta – oh s**t, because I didn’t think this was going to happen,” she said while opening up a crumpled acceptance speech.
Jennifer Coolidge danced on the Emmys stage – and instantly became a meme
Jennifer Coolidge quickly started listing off producers on The White Lotus and her agents – but it wasn’t long before she was played off.
“Wait hold on, no, this is a once in a lifetime thing and I’m full – I’m full!” the actress announced as orchestral music played over her speech.
The music then transitioned into a version of “Hit the Road Jack”, which prompted Coolidge to start dancing on stage.
Needless to say, it was one of the most meme-able moments of the night – Coolidge quickly became the Emmys’ breakout star on social media, with her dance cementing her position as the icon we all knew she was.
Jennifer Coolidge deciding to dance when the #Emmys attempted to play her off is a truly perfect moment pic.twitter.com/bBkOykRMZA
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) September 13, 2022
Playing off Jennifer Coolidge in an acceptance speech pic.twitter.com/3ipUG0ueqy— Will Kellogg (@Will_Kellogg) September 13, 2022
HOW DO YOU PLAY OFF JENNIFER COOLIDGE— David Mack (@davidmackau) September 13, 2022
I don't want to live in a world that doesn't let Jennifer Coolidge speak as long as she wants— Megh Wright (@megh_wright) September 13, 2022
AFTER DECADES IN THE INDUSTRY WITH MOSTLY HUMP-THE-FURNITURE-ESQUE PARTS JENNIFER COOLIDGE FINALLY GOT THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME WITH THE WHITE LOTUS AND EVEN EARNED AN EMMY NOMINATION AND WIN FOR THE ROLE AND THEN THE TELEVISION ACADEMY HAD THE AUDACITY TO PLAY HER OFF. pic.twitter.com/yuiRJBbGmn
— Ξvan Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) September 13, 2022
Coolidge’s win makes her a first-time Emmy winner. The actress first skyrocketed to fame in the late ’90s and early noughties for her roles in films such as American Pie and Legally Blonde.
Much has been made of the resurgence of her career, which has seen her taking on prominent roles in the likes of The White Lotus and Promising Young Woman.
The White Lotus was one of the big winners at the 2022 Emmys. Other winners included Ted Lasso, Hacks, Abbott Elementary and Succession.
