Jordan Karlesson
Jennifer Coolidge probably got plenty of flowers yesterday for her role in The White Lotus. Not only did she win an Emmy Award, she also lit up social media with her impromptu dance.
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Coolidge — who many consider to be a character actor — got her comeuppance on Monday night. She picked up the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Everyone familiar with Jennifer Coolidge’s off-the-cuff comedy knew she would find a way to squeeze humor into her acceptance speech. But no one saw her little jig coming.
First, Coolidge thanked her fellow nominees — which mostly consisted of her co-stars in The White Lotus. They were Connie Britton, Alexandra Daddario, Natasha Rothwell, and Sydney Sweeney. Kaitlyn Dever and Mare Winningham also vied for the prize, for their roles in Dopesick.
Jennifer Coolidge continued, in her deadpan style: “You know, I took a lavender bath tonight, right before the show. And it made me swell up inside my dress.”
She then leaned into the mic, adding, “And I’m having a hard time speaking.”
She also had a hard time with her congratulations, forgetting at first that she had — in her hand — a piece of paper with their names.
“No, hold on. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and I’m full, I’m full,” she said, rubbing her waist.
As the orchestra started playing her off, Jennifer Coolidge began dancing to the music.
Jennifer Coolidge’s Hard Work Finally Pays Off
Coolidge picked up the trophy after decades of performing comedic roles, some of them improvised, for projects ranging from Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries to Legally Blonde.
Also rewarding for Coolidge is the fact that Mike White, creator of The White Lotus, wrote the role of spacey elite Tanya McQuoid, specifically for her.
A second season of The White Lotus is due for release next year and will see Jennifer Coolidge returning to her role as McQuoid.
Fans reportedly called the Legally Blonde star a “national treasure” who should “rule the world.”
Speaking of which, Jennifer Coolidge is set to appear in Legally Blonde 3, according to Mindy Kaling, who co-wrote the script.
