The strong and connective tissue that a shared history—and shared making-of-history—can provide was on full display on the Emmys 2024 red carpet in an emotional moment between Laverne Cox and Nava Mau.
Cox, anchoring E!’s red carpet coverage for the night, couldn’t get more than a word out, nor could Mau, nominated in the best supporting actress in a limited series category for Baby Reindeer, before bursting into tears when they greeted one another for an interview.
“Ten years ago I became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting Emmy, and 10 years later I’m not the last,” Cox told Mau. “You’re the fourth, and you’re the first in this category.”
The 2014 nomination was in the outstanding guest actress in a comedy series category for Cox’s turn as Sophia on Orange Is the New Black, a role she’d be nominated for three more times during the show’s run.
When the two met on the red carpet Sunday evening, they each got out a “hi” before wrapping one another in a tight, prolonged hug, swaying side to side, both visibly emotional.
“I’m supposed to keep it together, I’m the host,” Cox reminded, seemingly, herself.
“Me too!” Mau said.
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The two discussed being part of history, transgender representation onscreen, and the fact that Baby Reindeer is just a really good show.
“That’s what I think the best thing to celebrate about Baby Reindeer, that yes, it’s an LGBTQ show; it’s a show that has a trans character on it, and it’s also a really good show, and it’s something I’m very proud of,” Mau said. “And ultimately, I hope that we continue to get to be all that we are as trans people on screen.”