When you think of the best actresses soap operas have to offer, you think of brilliant women like Susan Lucci, Debbi Morgan, and Deidre Hall.
Nancy Lee Grahn has met these women in her 20-year career as Alexis Cassadine on General Hospital.
I'm not sure if she's met Viola Davis, but after witnessing Viola make history and become the first black woman to win an Emmy for Leading Actress in a Drama...
And after hearing Viola call for more diversity in film and television...
Nancy had a lot to say:
I wish I loved #ViolaDavis Speech, but I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it. #Emmys
Im a fucking actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled
She even went on to suggest that Viola Davis has never even been discriminated against as a black woman in Hollywood:
@nxssy I do 2. I think she's the bees knees but she's elite of TV performers. Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against
She tried to clarify her statements with an "all actress matter" statement:
I never mean to diminish her accomplishment. I wish I could get her roles. She is a goddess. I want equality 4 ALL women, not just actors.
I apologize 2 anyone who I offended. I'm women advocate since I became one. After reading responses, I hear u and my tweet was badly phrased
But people were having none of it:
We're dope. And valuable. And incredible. And beautiful. And Viola is the dopest of all tonight. And Nancy Lee Grahn is a hating ass bitch.
Mediocre white woman gets mad at a talented Black Woman's excellence and wants to deny her of her accolade. @NancyLeeGrahn
It all makes sense now that I think about it. The 1 time Nancy Lee Grahn won an Emmy she had to share it w a black woman. Tie w Deb Morgan
@NancyLeeGrahn how dare you speak for her & her life experiences to say she's never been discriminated against? The nerve you have.
Internet is swift. Within 30 minutes of spilling white tears on Twitter, Nancy's wiki page has been updated
@NancyLeeGrahn
Mostly, people have no idea who she is:
Who is @NancyLeeGrahn ???????
Who is @NancyLeeGrahn
Who tf is Nancy?
Not that you could blame them. When you think of General Hospital you usually think of Luke and Laura, or Jax and Brenda, or Sonny and Carly. Not...Alexis Cassadine.
Praying for your mentions, Nancy.
Update: Nancy has issued an apology:
I apologize for my earlier tweets and now realize I need to check my own privilege. My intention was not to (cont) http://t.co/uyre6WPeeH
"I apologize for my earlier tweets and now realize I need to check my own privilege. My intention was not to take this historic and important moment from Viola Davis or other women of color but I realize that my intention doesn't matter here because that is what I ended up doing. I learned a lot tonight and I admit that there are still some things I don't understand but I am trying to and will let this be a learning experience for me."