Regina King Makes A Powerful Fashion Statement At The Emmys

From the time the Emmys were announced, we knew that the 72nd iteration of the awards would be done in a way its never been done before (host Jimmy Kimmel called them the "Pandemmys"). We were prepared for the red carpet to be absent. We were prepared to see less couture and fewer high-priced designer baubles. But we probably didn't expect to see Regina King accept her Emmy for Lead Actress in a Limited Series wearing a T-shirt honoring Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by police in her own apartment six months ago. And while its phrase wasn't immediately obvious, the T-shirt was emblazoned with "SAY HER NAME" (via People). 

Before the show, King took to Instagram to show of her statement tee, writing, "It's been 150 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered in her sleep by Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove — and her killers have not been charged. Too often Black women who die from police violence are forgotten."

King wasn't the only one who used the Emmys to express her political views. Fellow awardee Uzo Aduba also wore a Breonna Taylor shirt when she accepted her Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for Mrs. America. 

Regina King's stylists Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald had earlier taken to Instagram to share an image of the gown she had originally planned to wear if it had been in person. "We just felt like this night wasn't going to happen how it normally happens and how can we still get involved and still have some excitement around this," King said. "We had just taken COVID tests because we had just done a photo shoot before and so we said, 'Let's do it!'" she said (via People).

Twitter approved of the wardrobe change nonetheless. One Twitter user called her a "superhero" for taking a stand on an important issue. Another one praised her for using her acceptance speech as a platform to call for change, saying, "Using her Emmy speech to beseech America to vote up the whole ballot like the icon she is." A third tweeted: "Regina King Wins an #Emmy for Watchmen & reminded everyone to Vote while wearing a t-shirt with Breonna Taylor and paying respect to RBG."

While Twitter was busy praising her for her wardrobe choices, the Los Angeles Times pointed out that the win for her role in Watchmen also made history as this is her fourth Emmy, which means she is now tied with actor Alfre Woodard for the most acting Emmys won by a performer.