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'Severance' actor dedicates historic Emmy win to his 'tough' first acting coach—his mom

"Do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don't embarrass me in public."

via Gabriel Hutchinson Photography/Wikimedia Commons

Short. Sweet. Perfect.

Tramell Tillman, aka Mr. Milchik in Severance, might have made Emmy history for being the first Black man ever to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series…but he’s also in the running for best acceptance speech ever. As Tillman took to the stage, he began by quoting: “‘You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for. Do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don't embarrass me in public.’”

Then, he cheekily added, “My first acting coach was tough, y'all. But all great mothers are.” That's right, Tillman’s acceptance speech became a heartwarming tribute to his mother, who also happened to be accompanying him that night.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

“Mama, you were there for me when no one else was, and no one else would show up. Your loving kindness stays with me, and this is for you.” Tillman then concluded, “Thank you to the Academy. I am full. I am humbled. I am honored. And as my mama would say, ‘OOOOO Look at God!’” That’s it–short, sweet, personal…about as close to a perfect Emmy speech as you could get.

In a previous interview with amNewYork, Tillman shared that it was his mom who encouraged him to get into acting to overcome his shyness. Because of her, his first acting role came in the form of a one-line part in a Christmas play. And from there "something clicked,” Tillman said.

With that tidbit in mind, it makes all the more sense that Tillman would dedicate his win to the woman who started it all. That wasn’t the only iconic Severance moment at the awards show. Britt Lower, who plays Helly, took home the award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

While her acceptance speech was rather normal (celebrating the talents of the other nominees, thanking her Severance cast and crew, etc). But then, as many eagle-eyed fans spotted, the words "LET ME OUT" were written in all caps on the back of the paper Lower read from. This was an awesome Easter egg referring to something her character did in Season One. Iykyk.

@taquedurshop Let me out Helly. Love this scene #fyp #severance #adamscott #letmeout #helena #appletv #severanceedit #musicdanceexperience #severancetvshow #severance #severancetvshow #lumon #lumonindustries #grandcentral #grandcentralstation #forupage #fyp#hellyseverance ♬ original sound - grapo

In addition, the series took home the following additional wins:

  • Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One-Hour or More)
  • Outstanding Title Design
  • Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour)
  • Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
  • Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour)
  • Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Merritt Wever
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Olivia Colman doesn't seem to realize she's a famous actress, and it's so stinking cute

NBC/YouTube

Olivia Colman is back with another endearing acceptance speech, and she's proven once again to be the most relatable actress ever.

Last year, Olivia Colman stole the show at the Oscars with her incredulous, off-the-cuff acceptance speech after winning the Best Actress in a Leading Role award. Stunned that she had won, the British actress was so genuine and obviously unrehearsed in her reaction that you couldn't help but love her. She was all of us, giddy and disbelieving and delightfully awkward about a lifelong dream come true.

RELATED: Olivia Colman deserves an award for Most Endearing Oscar Speech Ever

If you missed it, it's worth a watch before seeing this year's speech:

Olivia Colman wins Best Actresswww.youtube.com

Despite having won the highest movie award an actress can receive, and despite being cast as the queen herself in the hit show The Crown and playing an iconic role in the award-winning comedy Fleabag, Colman doesn't seem to have internalized that she is a famous, critically-acclaimed actress. At last night's Golden Globes, she won the award for Best Actress in a Television Series for her role as Queen Elizabeth—and yet again, she charmed everyone with her impromptu acceptance speech.

Colman began with a simple thank you, then said, "Oooh, I said I had money on this not happening. For the last year, I've felt like I was living someone else's life, and now I definitely feel like I've won someone else's award."

She thanked Netflix and the Hollywood Foreign Press, then showed her flummoxed—and apparently slightly tipsy—hand.

"I don't know what to say, because I genuinely... I'd already gotten a little bit boozy because I thought this wasn't going to happen. Thank you…umm…completely stumped."

Much like last year's fangirling of Meryl Streep during her Oscars speech, Colman became more of a starry-eyed, celebrity-sighting audience member than famous actress winning her own top award.

RELATED: Oprah's powerful Golden Globes speech brings the nation to a standing ovation.

"Honestly, sitting there and watching everybody, it's so exciting. We've gone, 'Look who it is! Look who's there!'" Then she added, as if honored by the entire idea of being invited in the first place, "So, thank you for having us. Thank you for having me. I've had such a lovely time."

Olivia Colman: Best Actress in a TV Drama - 2020 Golden Globeswww.youtube.com

How adorable is it that she doesn't seem to realize she's one of the famous people she's referring to? After all, she was the one winning the award for Best Actress on that stage. She was the one winning her third Golden Globe in as many nominations. In that moment, she was the reason all of those celebrities were gathered in the room. People in attendance were undoubtedly looking at her, saying "Look who it is!" And she appears to be totally oblivious to it all. She's still genuinely surprised to find herself among the entertainment industry elite and maintains a humble and childlike wonder at it all.

We just love you, Olivia Colman. Please don't change.

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Know a woman who’s a philanthropy hero? Here’s a great way to honor her.

Social impact superheroes are all around us.

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L'Oréal Paris Women of Worth

SreyRam Kuy was 2 years old when the refugee camp where her family had been staying was bombed.

They had been fleeing the “Killing Fields” of the Cambodian genocide, only to be attacked again.

During the bombing, both she and her mother were hit by shrapnel. She lost her ear in the explosion, and her mother’s wounds would’ve likely been fatal without proper medical attention, but thankfully, Red Cross doctors came to their aid, saving both SreyRam’s ear and her mom’s life.

Even though she doesn’t remember much of the experience, the story’s become an integral part of her family’s history. It’s also why SreyRam chose to dedicate her life to helping others as a doctor.

Dr. SreyRam Kuy. Photo via L’Oréal Paris’ Women of Worth.

Not only did she become the first female Cambodian refugee to work as a surgeon in the United States, but she regularly performs free and low-cost surgeries for people in need. She also partners with Dog Tag Bakery — an organization that gives jobs and necessary work experience to disabled veterans.

What’s more, as chief medical officer for the state of Louisiana, she oversaw the first state-led Zika prevention program for pregnant women in the United States.

SreyRam is just one of 10 extraordinary women who were chosen as L’Oréal Paris’ 2017 Women of Worth Honorees.

Since 2005, the brand has selected women who are making a major impact in their communities through their passion for volunteerism and philanthropy. Each Honoree receives a $10,000 grant for their charitable cause, as well as recognition of their work through L’Oréal Paris’ Women of Worth.

Other 2017 Women of Worth honorees. Photo via L’Oréal Paris’ Women of Worth.

Past Honorees have been everything from anti-bullying advocates to supporters of victims of human trafficking to self-defense trainers. It really doesn’t matter what kind of charitable work you do, just as long as it’s making a positive impact on your community.

There are so many women out there who’re making a huge difference but aren’t getting any recognition for it. This program is trying to change that.

Want to nominate someone to be a Woman of Worth? Here’s what you need to know:

Candidates must be women who are legal residents of the 50 United States and 16 years or older at the time of nomination. Their philanthropic work must also have occurred within the United States, and their involvement needs to have been ongoing for at least six months. If it’s filling a previously unmet need in an innovative way and making a significant difference in their community, it’s worthy.

It’s fine if the woman you have in mind gets paid for her work as long as she’s working for a nonprofit or a national service program like AmeriCorps. However, she should have a noticeable passion for what she does that’s inspiring others to follow suit.

Photo via iStock.

If you think you know someone who fits the bill, click here to sign up and submit an application form. You can also submit the form by sending it in the mail to:

"Women of Worth Award" c/o The Points of Light Institute

600 Means Street, Suite 210

Atlanta, GA 30318

If you think you’d make a great honoree yourself, you can absolutely throw your name into the ring!

Whoever you decide to nominate, you better do it soon, because the submission period ends May 31, 2018.

Once all the nominees are submitted, the judges will narrow it down to a group of finalists.

That’s where the final 10 nominees are selected — and where you come back in.

In November, you can see the list of 2018 Honorees online and vote on one to be named the Woman of Worth National Honoree. This woman will receive an additional $25,000 for her charity of choice, along with national recognition for her cause. But every honoree will get an all-expense paid trip to New York City for the awards ceremony, where they’ll meet many notable women who are also working towards social good.

Sounds pretty awesome, huh?

It’s time the world recognizes these unsung philanthropy superheroes, but it’s on you to make that happen.

So what are you waiting for? Get nominating!

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Casey Affleck dropping out of the Oscars should motivate us all.

A lot has changed in just a year.

Last year Brie Larson presented Casey Affleck with the Oscar for Best Actor, and it was ... uncomfortable.

Just a year earlier, Larson had won the Oscar for her powerhouse performance in "Room," playing a woman who was held kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and forced to live in captivity with her young son. Hers was a moving performance that reflected a lot of Larson's own advocacy work for victims of sexual harassment and violence. But then she was asked to present one of acting's top honors to Affleck, who had been sued on multiple occasions for sexual harassment years earlier.

The audience erupted in applause as Affleck's name was announced and he took the stage — with one very notable exception: Larson. After offering Affleck a polite hug, she stood off to the side, motionless. In a pre-#MeToo, pre-Time's Up environment, her reluctance to follow the unspoken rules of being a presenter was a statement in itself.

Larson stands still as Affleck takes the stage in 2017. GIF from Oscars/YouTube.

"I think that whatever it was that I did onstage kind of spoke for itself,” she told Vanity Fair when asked about whether she was trying to make a statement by not clapping. "I’ve said all that I need to say about that topic."

Since then, a lot has changed in Hollywood — and Affleck will be absent from the Oscar stage this year as a result.

It's Academy Award tradition that the previous year's Best Actor winner presents this year's Best Actress award (and the past Best Actress presents Best Actor). But Affleck, who was scheduled to present, will not be in attendance when Hollywood gathers for the show on March 4.

Deadline reported that "Affleck did not want to become a distraction from the focus that should be on the performances of the actresses in the category and that is why he made the proactive move," calling it "a no-win situation."

Affleck accepts Best Actor during the 2017 Oscars. Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images.

Thanks to the activism of the past year, actors like Affleck are finally being held accountable for their actions.

It's proof that, when journalists, witnesses, and survivors speak out, they have the power to change the world for the better.

Without Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's bombshell New York Times exposé detailing megaproducer Harvey Weinstein's history of sexual assault and harassment, and without some of the brave actresses willing to go on record for it, it's hard to imagine that the #MeToo movement would have taken off the way it has.

In a world without the #MeToo movement (which was founded years ago by Tarana Burke, but given fresh life post-Weinstein), it's easy to picture Affleck on stage this year, again receiving cheers from a complicit audience. It's easy to imagine his past sexual harassment suits being brushed off as ancient history, or for audiences to be urged to separate the artist from the art; it's easy to picture a culture that has continued to laud the likes of Roman Polanski or Woody Allen treating Affleck the same way.

Tarana Burke poses with Affleck's "Manchester By the Sea" co-star, actress Michelle Williams at this year's Golden Globes. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

But activists, journalists, and regular, everyday people helped change that. Continued pressure and momentum can help reshape culture in powerful ways. The fact that Casey Affleck will not be on stage is a reminder that we can make the world a better place if we use our voices to advocate for a more just society.

In a world where cynicism and despair often win out, stories like these might just lend a little hope.

#MeToo demonstrators. Photo by Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images.

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