She’s one to watch, and she’s not alone.
The Television Academy just announced the nominees for the 77th Emmy Awards, and Black excellence is front and center. From veteran stars to fresh faces, this year’s list is stacked with groundbreaking nominations, and leading the charge is Ayo Edebiri. The 29-year-old scene-stealer behind The Bear made history with three nominations, becoming the youngest Black woman ever to do so. She also became the first woman to be nominated for both acting and directing in the comedy categories in the same year, Variety reports.
Ayo Edebiri makes #Emmys history as the youngest Black woman to receive 3 acting nominations.
She’s also nominated for directing the episode “Napkins,” becoming the first woman to be nominated for acting and directing in the comedy categories in the same year.… pic.twitter.com/RAYDE9Walv— Variety (@Variety) July 15, 2025advertisement
Edebiri isn’t just racking up nods, she’s leaving a mark. With standout performances in Abbott Elementary, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Saturday Night Live, and Inside Out 2, she’s quickly become one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars.
And while Ayo’s historic run is the headline, she’s part of a much larger moment. Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson earned her fourth lead acting nomination, tying Tracee Ellis Ross and trailing only the legendary Isabel Sanford. She also made history as the first Black woman to receive acting, writing, and producing nominations for a single series. Meanwhile, Sterling K. Brown landed his seventh Emmy nod for a different series, tying Don Cheadle for the most nominations among Black male performers.
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The celebration of Black talent doesn’t stop there. This year’s nominees also include heavy hitters like Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Natasha Rothwell, Colman Domingo, Uzo Aduba, and Janelle James—each representing the strength, range, and brilliance of Black storytelling.
The 77th Emmy Awards air September 14. With this much talent in the spotlight, it’s shaping up to be a night to remember.
Cover photo: Actress Ayo Edebiri Makes Emmy History as the Youngest Black Woman to Receive Three Acting Nods / Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison via Getty Images