How Diversity Was Shining Brighter Than Ever at This Year's SAG Awards

Updated on Jan 31, 2017 at 8:30 AM

Last year, award season was fraught with the #OscarsSoWhite controversy because (yet again) all the main acting categories in the 2016 Oscar nominations were devoid of people of color. Even so, one award show seemed to transcend the issue. The 2016 SAG Awards were blissfully diverse, with more than a handful of inclusive nods and winners. This year, the award show kept up the trend with yet another diverse list of winners! Let's go over some of the most exciting moments of the night as we head onward toward the noticeably more inclusive Oscars.

The Hidden Figures Cast Won the Night's Biggest Award

The cast of Hidden Figures couldn't contain their sheer joy after learning they'd taken home the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. As Taraji P. Henson aptly put it, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), the women portrayed in the film, are "hidden figures no more."

Orange Is the New Black Won Big For the Fourth Year Running

Even though the cast took home the award (outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series) in 2015 and 2016, they were still shocked to win again in 2017. Taylor Schilling was there this year, making the win especially sweet. Schilling even went a step further by stepping up to the plate for the acceptance speech. "What unites us is stronger than the forces that seek to divide us," she said, as her fellow costars cheered.

Mahershala Ali Won and Gave an Emotional Speech About Acceptance

Mahershala Ali's supporting actor win marked a huge moment in the night. The actor gave such an emotional speech that even he couldn't help but cry while reciting it.

Viola Davis Set a Record With Her Latest Honor

While Davis's previous wins were mostly for How to Get Away With Murder, she snagged this year's actor for her emotionally charged turn in Fences. Not only did she give a spectacular acceptance speech, but she also became the first black actress to win five times.

Even Denzel Washington Was Blindsided by His Victory

Before the night, it seemed either Ryan Gosling or Casey Affleck would take the award for best actor. Even Denzel later revealed he never thought he'd win. But he did, and it was his first SAG Award ever! The actor was so shocked, he remained in his seat while Viola Davis hugged him and helped him up. His surprised acceptance speech made the whole moment that much sweeter.