Black Women Took Over The 2026 Daytime Emmys & More People Should Be Talking About It

The 53rd Daytime Emmy Awards took place Oct. 30 in Los Angeles, and Black women made it a night to remember. Everyone should be talking about it.

Some of our favorite queens showed up and showed out on the red carpet, serving the girls looks fit for the winners they are. And when the names were called, they led the way in awards and accolades.

Winners ranged from soap stars to talk show hosts to network founders. Tracee Ellis Ross, Tamara Tunie, Ambyr Michelle and Star Jones each won for the first time. Sherri Shepherd won for a show that already said goodbye. And Keke Palmer added another trophy to her shelf.

Tracee Ellis Ross Finally Gets Her Emmy

For Tracee, this win was years in the making. She earned multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for playing Rainbow Johnson on “black-ish” but never took home a trophy. One day after turning 54, she finally did.

“Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross” earned Outstanding Travel and Adventure Program. On the Roku show, she takes solo trips to Morocco, Mexico, and Spain and invites viewers along for the experience. Onstage, she put it simply: “I’m an Emmy winner!”

Tracee wore Mugler and styled herself, doing her own hair for the night. Her black top plunged into a deep V with sculpted straps, and a pleated train swept across the carpet. Wide-leg black pants, a sleek bun, and gold drop earrings completed the look. Self-styled on the night of her first Emmy win? Tracee is THAT girl.

Keke Palmer Wins For The Network She Built

Keke took home her trophy as a network owner. She executive produced “Glam Through the Ages,” a KeyTV Network production that won Outstanding Daytime Short Form Program. The series travels through different eras, spotlighting the beauty trends of each one and what representation and glamour have meant to Black culture.

This was Keke’s first Daytime Emmy. She already holds two Primetime Emmys, for “Keke Palmer’s Turnt Up with the Taylors” and the “Password” reboot. Backstage, she told Extra she started KeyTV to “produce work that would give other people a platform” and open doors for other creatives.

For the night, Keke wore a red Wiederhoeft gown from the designer’s spring 2026 collection with Christian Louboutin Lasera pumps. The strapless beaded bodice dipped into a pointed waist, and sparkling vines trailed down the satin column skirt. Her copper bob and diamond necklace finished the look. The red looked amazing on her melanin skin.

Tamara Tunie & Ambyr Michelle Win For “Beyond the Gates”

Keke and Tracee weren’t the only Black women collecting trophies last night. At 67, Tamara won her first Emmy ever, taking Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress for playing Anita Williams Dupree on “Beyond the Gates.”

“This is the best welcome back to daytime ever,” she said. She also honored the Black actresses who came before her, starting with Cicely Tyson. She and costar Karla Mosley were the first two Black actresses nominated in the category in the same year.

Tamara celebrated in a high-neck, sleeveless champagne gown covered in silver sequined swirls. Three-dimensional florals climbed from her collar across the bodice, and the full A-line skirt swept the carpet. With her silver pixie, red lip, and beaded clutch, she gave grown-woman glamour.

Ambyr won Outstanding Emerging Talent for playing Eva Thomas, becoming the show’s first acting winner. The Omaha native has also appeared in “Snowfall,” “Insecure” and “Black AF.”

Sherri Shepherd & Star Jones Take Home Statues Too

Sherri won Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host for “Sherri,” five months after the show aired its final episode in May. She beat “The View” co-hosts Kelly Clarkson, Tamron Hall, and Jennifer Hudson. Sherri is busy in New York, where she is making history as the first female Genie in “Aladdin” on Broadway.

Many fans are touting this as Sherri’s ultimate clapback, proving her show’s impact and popularity in the midst of network cancellation.

Star won her first Daytime Emmy after 14 nominations, taking Outstanding Daytime Personality – Daily for “Divorce Court” alongside Corey Jovan. In her speech, she thanked two late mentors: Johnnie Cochran, “who taught me about justice,” and Barbara Walters.

These wins come weeks after #EmmysSoWhite resurfaced, when Quinta Brunson, Sterling K. Brown and Zendaya were among the stars who went home without an Emmy at this year’s Primetime ceremony. With The Hollywood Reporter noting that diversity is now being treated as “optional” in TV, we have to continue to give leading Black women their flowers.

Congratulations, ladies!