Keke Palmer Makes History as First Black Woman to Win Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Hosting
Keke Palmer makes history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Best Game Show Host at the 2024 Creative Awards Her outstanding work on 'Password' leaves her almost speechless as she receives this well-deserved recognition
Keke Palmer Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
At the 2024 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, January 7, Keke Palmer made history by becoming the first Black woman to win an Emmy for outstanding game show host. The 30-year-old actress's victory for Password also marked the first time in 15 years that a woman had received the honor. Her win came as she triumphed over nominees Mayim Bialik (Jeopardy!), Ken Jennings (Jeopardy!), Pat Sajak (Wheel of Fortune), and Steve Harvey (Family Feud).
"Wow. This is incredibly exciting, and I am so grateful," Palmer expressed in her acceptance speech at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. "I am truly thankful and almost at a loss for words. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who made this possible, and thank you to Jimmy Fallon and NBC."
In addition, Palmer gave a special acknowledgment to comedy icon Carol Burnett, who was present at the event. The 90-year-old Burnett also won a Creative Arts Emmy on Sunday for outstanding prerecorded variety special for Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love.
In 2022, Palmer took on the role of host for the rebooted NBC game show. The 49-year-old Fallon is an executive producer for the series.
Following the awards show, Palmer posted several photos on Instagram, proudly displaying her new Emmy with a wide smile. She captioned the snaps with gratitude towards @jimmyfallon, expressing her excitement and honor to be a part of the classic game show Password. She also thanked @televisionacad for the opportunity.
Palmer's first Emmy win in 2021 was for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for Keke Palmer’s Turnt Up With the Taylors. "Wow! I won! I am so shook. Saying thank you from the same platform that gave me the freedom to create when the traditional route made me feel there was no place for me," she wrote via Instagram in September 2021. She was referring to the fact that Turnt Up With the Taylors originally aired on Facebook Watch. "Here is proof that you can create with what you have on social and it’s enough. Turnt Up With the Taylors was born on my INSTAGRAM, from a sketch character named Chelsea Barbie Taylor that I birthed alongside @maxwyeth. Y’all did this with me!"
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Palmer persisted despite the doubts about her career following her role on the Nickelodeon teen sitcom True Jackson, VP, proving her critics wrong.
"Regardless of the path I've taken and the fluctuations in my finances, my art has always been my refuge and has saved me in ways others may not realize," she penned. "It's irrelevant who's paying attention! Never surrender. Keep sharing the stories that resonate with you. Keep embracing your identity as an artist, that's what truly counts. While I am grateful for the recognition, I remain true to the person I've always been. No external validation can compare to the inner peace I find in my faith. Thank you, God!"
