Nancy Lee Grahn: Soap Star Apologizes After Slamming Viola Davis' Emmy Acceptance Speech (TWEETS)

"General Hospital" star Nancy Lee Grahn apologized on Monday for her series of tweets criticizing Viola Davis' Emmy acceptance speech after she made history by becoming the first African-American to win an Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role on ABC's "How To Get Away With Murder."

Davis' empowering speech was met with a standing ovation from the crowd at the Emmys on Sunday. "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is simply opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there," Davis said, according to Variety. "So here's to all the writers, the awesome people - people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black."

Grahn's now-deleted tweet reads, "Im a f--ing actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled."

"I wish I loved #ViolaDavis Speech, but I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it. #Emmys," Grahn tweeted, according to Entertainment Tonight.

In a reply to someone who pointed out that Shonda Rhimes tweeted her appreciation for Davis' speech, Grahn wrote, "I think she's the bees knees but she's elite of TV performers. Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against."

Grahn also criticized Davis' Harriet Tubman quote writing, "Harriet Tubman not equivalent to great roles Viola Davis hired 2play. She's made millions. It is unfair comparison.."

Implying that Davis, as an African-American woman in Hollywood, has not faced racial discrimination solely because of her accomplishments drew a lot of criticism from the Emmy winner's fans.

Grahn later apologized for her comments: "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," the soap opera actress said.

She continued to post a series of apologetic tweets. "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," she said before posting another tweet that read, "Schooled. As surrogate 2 last democratic presidents I thought I needed no lesson in equality. I was wrong. Please accept my apology."

"30 yrs an advocate 4 human rights & now i'm a racist. Color me heartbroken. Twitter can bring out the best & sadly tonight the worst of us," she added before issuing a lengthy apology.

Tags
Apologizes, Viola Davis, Emmys, Emmy Awards, 2015, Speech, Tweets, Twitter, Racist, Black, African american, Women, Women's rights, Black women, Shonda Rhimes, Racism, Sexism
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