Emma Watson just received the first ever gender neutral award in acting history at the MTV Movie Awards.
Instead of winning ‘Best Actress’, Emma won ‘Best Actor’ for her role as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
As she took to the stage to accept the award, Emma made sure to acknowledge the momentous occasion of winning the first of its kind.
“The first acting award in history that doesn’t separate nominees based on their sex says something about how we perceive the human experience,” she said.
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“MTV’s move to create a genderless award for acting will mean something different to everyone. But to me it indicates that acting is about the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and that doesn’t need to be separated into two different categories.”
Watson then gave a special shout out to Asia Kate Dillon, the non-binary gender actor who presented Watson with her award. “Empathy and the ability to use your imagination should have no limits,” Emma told Asia.
“This is very meaningful for me, both to be winning the award and to be receiving it from you, Asia. Thank you for educating me in such an inclusive, patient, and loving way.” Emma then burst into tears on stage and gave Asia a huge hug.
The 27-year-old then went on to talk about her award, saying, “I think I’m being given this award because of who Belle is and what she represents.”
“The villagers in our fairy tale wanted to make Belle believe that the world was smaller than the way she saw it with fewer opportunities for her, that her curiosity and passion for knowledge and her desire fore more in life were grounds for alienation.”
“I loved playing someone who didn’t listen to any of that. I’m so proud to be a part of a film that celebrates diversity, literacy, inclusion, joy, and love the way that this one does.”
Congrats to both Emma and Asia!
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