America Ferrera Receives New ‘SeeHer’ Award, Delivers Award-Worthy Speech
Actress America Ferrera isn’t done sharing her wisdom with the world. Although viewers and critics most recently recognized Ferrera for her exceptional monologue in the Barbie film, Ferrera has a bank of work that has inspired viewers and, thus, is no better candidate for the “See Her” award at the 2024 Critics Choice Award.
Barbie co-star Margot Robbie took the stage to present her with the eighth annual award. In her presentation, Robbie looked back on Ferrera’s previous projects, including Real Women Have Curves, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Ugly Betty. She also acknowledged that Ferrera is the first and only Latina to win the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy.
After an astounding introduction, a misty-eyed Ferrera made her way up to the stage to thank the Critics Choice Association first.
“I grew up as a first-generation Honduran-American girl, in love with TV, film, and theater, who desperately wanted to be a part of a storytelling legacy that I could not see myself reflected in,” she stated. “Of course, I can feel myself in characters that are strong and complex, but these characters rarely, if ever, looked like me,” she continued.
The actress shouted out her fellow Latina colleagues, who are now part of the dynamic storytelling legacy she once yearned to be involved in. She also mentioned her appreciation for the next generation of these Latinas, including her on-screen daughter Ariana Greenblatt, Jenna Ortega, and Selena Gomez.
say what you want about her monologue in the barbie movie but america ferrera is one of the most genuine women in the industry and always uses her platform for good. any award that she is presented with for barbie represents much more than her speech in the film.— sab (@kctewallis) January 15, 2024
“To me, this is the best and highest use of storytelling—to affirm one another’s full humanity. To uphold the truth that we are all worthy of being seen, we are all worthy of having our lives richly and authentically reflected,” Ferrera shared.
She thanked the entire cast and crew of Barbie, specifically Robbie and Greta Gerwig, for being fully invested in an idea that many would perceive as “too girly, too frivolous, or too problematic.” Of course, she showed the Kens some love for “being man enough to support women’s work.”
“This is for every kid yearning to break in. I see you, and you got this,” she concluded as the crowd gave her a standing ovation while holding back tears.
America Ferrera embodies the meaning of a trailblazer and continues to help create pathways for the rising Latina stars. Watch America Ferrera’s full speech below (grab some tissues) and rewatch the magic of her Barbie monologue on MAX.
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