Shortly after she accepted the award in Los Angeles there were calls to give her another Emmy for her acceptance speech.
It is “an acknowledgment of what is possible when a woman is trusted,” she began.
“Believe her.” https://t.co/N4vVcJcZib
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 23, 2019
She explained that in preparing for the role she made a number of requests: more dance classes, more voice lessons, “a different wig, a pair of fake teeth not made out of rubber.”
Every request was granted.
“And all of these things, they require effort, and they cost more money, but my bosses never presumed to know better than I did about what I needed in order to do my job and honour Gwen Verdon.”
Williams thanked FX and Fox 21 Studios for supporting her completely and “for paying me equally”.
'I see this as an acknowledgement of what is possible when a woman is trusted to discern her own needs… and respected enough that they'll be heard.' — Michelle Williams highlighted the importance of equal pay for ALL women in her #Emmys acceptance speech pic.twitter.com/rON0VGEWhn
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) September 23, 2019
Pay inequality is a subject which Michelle Williams is familiar with – and not academically. Last year it was reported that after re-filming All The Money in The World, to remove Kevin Spacey, Williams was paid $80 a day for the ten days. Her costar in the film, Mark Wahlberg, was paid $1.5 million for the same work.
When she thanked the studio for ‘paying her equally’ the audience erupted in mad applause.
She asked people in the room to listen to women, but particularly ‘women of colour, who stand to make 52 cents on the dollar compared to their white male counterparts.’
“Listen to her, believe her, because one day she might stand in front of you and say thank you for allowing her to succeed because of her workplace environment and not in spite of it.”
I transcribed all of Michelle Williams’ incredible #Emmys2019 speech, which you should all read and/or watch ASAP: pic.twitter.com/9HtjeJXSOm
— Jessica Derschowitz (@jessicasara) September 23, 2019