THE Emmys 2024held last night on September 16 KST, brought many surprises, but perhaps the best of all was the moment Anna Sawai made history at the prestigious awards ceremony.
The 32-year-old became the first Japanese actress to win an Emmy last night. She took home the award for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama” for her role as Lady Mariko in Shogunone of the most nominated series of the year.
Anna Sawai poses with her historic Emmy. https://t.co/xzdMwJHzaq
— Movie Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 16, 2024
Sawai turned heads at the event in a stunning red trumpet gown designed by True WangSecond Harper’s BazaarShe said Wang was her first choice when it came to choosing a dress for her big night, which marked a milestone in her career.
In her acceptance speech, Sawai emotionally thanked her mother, who accompanied her to the event and inspired her to play Lady Mariko.
Thank you to my family. Mom, I love you. You are the reason I am here. You showed me stoicism, and that is how I was able to portray Mariko. This is for all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example to everyone.
—Anna Sawai
“Shogun” star Anna Sawai gets emotional as she accepts her #Emmy for Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series. She is the first Asian winner in the category’s history. https://t.co/3itGkRBc7U photo.twitter.com/fuiA32J49Z
— Variety (@Variety) September 16, 2024
Born in New Zealand and of Japanese descent, Sawai now resides in Tokyo. While many fans know her for her acting, some might be surprised to learn that she has had a career as a J-Pop idol in the past. She even has ties to K-Pop!
After his successful role in Shogun, Fans discovered that Anna was a founding member of the Japanese pop group WASH and remained with the band until 2018, when she decided to focus on her acting ambitions. In a recent interview, Sawai even reflected on her time with the group, revealing that her management company, AVEXhad limited his opportunities to explore other creative avenues.
She almost auditioned for the popular role of Katana in Suicide SquadUnfortunately, she was not allowed by AVEX due to her commitment to the group.
Below you can read more about Anna Sawai’s past as a J-Pop star:
The actress who stars in a popular series surprises with an Idol past, exposing her company’s mistreatment
You can also watch the trailer of Shogun Here!
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