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Julianne Nicholson Wins Emmy for Guest Actress in a Comedy
9/7/2025, 5:49:54 AM
Emmy Recognition for Julianne Nicholson
Julianne Nicholson has been awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy for her role as Dance Mom in HBO Max's "Hacks." This win marks her first Emmy in this category and her second overall, having previously won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for HBO’s "Mare of Easttown." Nicholson was nominated alongside notable actresses such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Olivia Colman, Cynthia Erivo, and Zoë Kravitz.
Nicholson expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I love ‘Hacks,’ I loved playing Dance Mom so much.” Her performance involved significant physicality, requiring collaboration with choreographer Corey Baker to develop a unique dance style. She remarked on the challenge, saying, “I had to work really hard to look that bad.”
Creative Arts Emmy Awards Overview
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, serve as a precursor to the main Primetime Emmy Awards. This year, the event took place over two nights, with nearly 100 awards distributed, primarily recognizing behind-the-scenes achievements. The ceremony featured a variety of categories, including technical awards for shows like "The Penguin," which won multiple honors for makeup, costumes, and visual effects.
The event was hosted by Maya Rudolph, who emphasized the importance of the Creative Arts Emmys, stating, “This is the real Emmys... nothing would get made” without the contributions of the technical teams.
Competition and Other Winners
In the guest actress category, Nicholson triumphed over a competitive field, which included her fellow "Hacks" star Robby Hoffman. Bryan Cranston also won for his role in "The Studio," further highlighting the star-studded nature of the guest acting categories. "The Studio" led the night with nine Emmy wins, while "The Penguin" followed closely with eight.
Other notable winners included Julie Andrews, who secured her third Emmy for her voice-over work in "Bridgerton," and Merritt Wever, who won for her guest role in "Severance."
Official Statements & Responses
Nicholson's acceptance speech reflected her surprise and gratitude for the recognition, thanking the show's creators for the opportunity to portray such a dynamic character. She noted, “This was a huge surprise and something I’ve been searching for.”
The Creative Arts Emmys are not televised live, but the results are shared widely, with the main Primetime Emmy Awards scheduled for September 14, where Nicholson is also nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her performance in Hulu’s "Paradise."
What's Next
The main Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on CBS, showcasing the top nominees and winners from the Creative Arts Emmys. As the television industry continues to evolve, the recognition of diverse performances and technical achievements remains a focal point of the Emmy Awards.
