,

2023 Emmys: Rihanna, Michelle Obama, Lizzo Receive Surprise Nominations

Abbott Elementary, A Black Lady Sketch Show are once again honored with Emmy nominations.

The writers strike and a possible actors strike may have Hollywood in flux right now, but thatโ€™s not stopping the TV world from recognizing the best artists and series of the last year. While awards season regulars like Succession, Ted Lasso and Barry all received nominations for the 75th Primetime Emmys, we did see quite a few Black projects honored. Letโ€™s check in on some of the superstar and unexpected names included in the 2023 Emmy nominations.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Abbott Elementary

Photo: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

The ABC hit is once again up for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Quinta Brunson

Photo: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Sheโ€™s a double nominee again, picking up nods for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary and Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Photo: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Last yearโ€™s winner will see if she can repeat as Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series.

Janelle James

Photo: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

The comedian/actress joins her Abbott Elementary co-star, Sheryl Lee Ralph, in the Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series category.

Ayo Edebiri

Photo: FX

The Bearโ€™s Ayo Edebiri joins the very competitive Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series category.

Jessica Williams

Photo: AppleTV+

Jessica Williams received a nod for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series for her standout work in Shrinking.

Tyler James Williams

Photo: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Tyler James Williams is back in the Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series category.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Photo: Getty Images JC Olivera

Weโ€™ll see if Niecy can add an Emmy to all the other awards sheโ€™s picked up for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Dominique Fishback

Photo: Amazon Studios

Weโ€™re thrilled to see Dominique Fishback be recognized for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for her unforgettable performance in Swarm.

A Black Lady Sketch Show

Photo: HBO

Though weโ€™re still devastated by A Black Lady Sketch Showโ€™s cancellation, weโ€™re happy itโ€™s going out with Emmy nominations for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series, Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Or Reality Series.

The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna

Photo: Getty Images Gregory Shamus

Come on, did you think Rihanna got up on those floating stages while pregnant and wasnโ€™t going to get nominated? The show is up for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Special.

The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman

With a nod for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series Or Special, you can add Emmy nominee to Michelle Obamaโ€™s impressive list of accomplishments.

Lizzo: Live In Concert

Photo: Getty Images Leon Neal

After being nominated for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), maybe we can get Lizzo to liven up the show with some music?

Jasmine Guy

Photo: Getty Images Cindy Ord

TV legend Jasmine Guy receives her first ever Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress In A Short Form Comedy Or Drama Series for Chronicles Of Jessica Wu.

Taraji P. Henson

Photo: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

The minute we saw Taraji as Janineโ€™s mom on Abbott Elementary, we knew she was getting nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series.

The 1619 Project

Photo: Hulu

The 1619 Projectโ€™s nod for Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Series shows that you canโ€™t keep us from talking about Americaโ€™s real history.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The True and Tragic Story of TLC's Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes

The True and Tragic Story of TLC’s Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes

One third of one of the biggest female music acts in history, Lisa Lopes also dealt with many demons ...
The Ever-Growing List of Lawsuits Against Sean 'Diddy' Combs

The Ever-Growing List of Lawsuits Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Even after a "victory" in the federal case against him, Diddy still has an uphill legal battle that could cost him millions ...

If Poor Black, White People Unite, They'd Be An Unstoppable Force, But Here's Why The Powers That Be Won't Let Them

If Poor Black, White People Unite, They’d Be An Unstoppable Force, But Here’s Why The Powers That Be Won’t Let Them

We need to understand that America's current racial political divisions did not happen naturally. People in power did not want Black and white people to work together ...
Spades? What Diddy Will Be Doing In Prison This Fourth Of July

Spades? What Diddy Will Be Doing In Prison This Fourth Of July

Wondering what Diddy will be eating and Doing this holiday? Here's all the tea ...
A White Male TikToker Decided To Use Black Hair Relaxer... The Results Will Surprise You

A White Male TikToker Decided To Use Black Hair Relaxer… The Results Will Surprise You

A white TikTok Creator decided to use relaxer on his hair and... it worked? ...
Diddy's Best Friend Charlie Liucci is Being <i>Loud</i> About His Next Moves Will Be Following Acquittal

Diddy’s Best Friend Charlie Liucci is Being Loud About His Next Moves Will Be Following Acquittal

He's been spotted wearing "FREE PUFF" merch, now, Charlie Liucci has an inside scoop on what Diddy will do once released ...
How Baltimore Beat 'The Wire' Homicide Curse Under This Black Mayor

How Baltimore Beat ‘The Wire’ Homicide Curse Under This Black Mayor

Violent crime has plagued Baltimore for generations, and "The Wire's" depiction of drug and gang life surely hasn't helped... but there's hope ...
Best Self-Help Reads for Black Resilience in Uncertain Times

Best Self-Help Reads for Black Resilience in Uncertain Times

In these challenging times, these books can give you the hope you need ...
'Hey Google' and Other Voice Assistants Are Terrifying Children and Confusing Bemused Parents

‘Hey Google’ and Other Voice Assistants Are Terrifying Children and Confusing Bemused Parents

Social media is buzzing about the strange reaction kids are having to smart speakers in their homes ...
Internet Believes Eerie Photo Predicted Black Fort Worth Family's Tragedy

Internet Believes Eerie Photo Predicted Black Fort Worth Family’s Tragedy

A big rig driver admitted he fell asleep at the wheel in Kaufman County before he collided with stopped traffic ...
Why Philadelphia is Going Viral For Streets That Look Like a Landfill

Why Philadelphia is Going Viral For Streets That Look Like a Landfill

Libraries are closed, the medical examiner's office has a backlog of bodies, and trash is piling up everywhere ...
How Bakari Sellers Just Got the Ultimate Revenge on His MAGA CNN Colleague

How Bakari Sellers Just Got the Ultimate Revenge on His MAGA CNN Colleague

Sellers and Jennings often go back and forth on the CNN show, and this was only amplified when Jennings asked Sellers not to touch him during one viral interaction from December ...
The Scary Reason 'American Idol' Winner Jamal Roberts Declined a Key to This Southern Town

The Scary Reason ‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts Declined a Key to This Southern Town

While Roberts' reasoning is understandable, it's a shame he had to make the decision in the first place ...
A Black Mom Posted Video of a Terrifying Exchange She had with Police in Delaware

A Black Mom Posted Video of a Terrifying Exchange She had with Police in Delaware

Black Mom Says Cops Approached Her and Her Children With Guns Drawn ...
Why Are There Still Black People Listening To R. Kelly At The Summer Cookouts -- And What Does That Say About Us?

Why Are There Still Black People Listening To R. Kelly At The Summer Cookouts — And What Does That Say About Us?

Despite convictions and backlash, his music continues to collect streams. Why is the "Pied Piper" still on the cookout playlist? ...
How Diddy Could Still End Up With a Long Sentence, Despite The Acquittals

How Diddy Could Still End Up With a Long Sentence, Despite The Acquittals

Even with credit for time served, Diddy, 55, wouldnโ€™t be free to break out the baby oil until 2031 ...
Why the Internet is Convinced Stephen A. Smith's And His Daughter Samantha Are Twins

Why the Internet is Convinced Stephen A. Smith’s And His Daughter Samantha Are Twins

Samantha Smith is the spitting image of her controversial sports commentator dad ...
Flint's Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

Flint’s Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

This milestone marks a record for one of the worst water crises in the nation's history ...
NBA's Mike Beasley's Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to <i>Who??</i>

NBA’s Mike Beasley’s Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to Who??

The amount of money Beasley apparently owes to his barber is insane ...
Diddy's Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All...

Diddy’s Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All…

After giving death stares to reporters and throwing up heart symbols to his children throughout the trial, Diddy's demeanor has taken a turn ...