Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish told her two young co-stars from Kids Say The Darndest Things during filming she was "just happy to be nominated" for a Grammy Award for her comedy album Black Mitzvah.
But when producers informed her she won the Grammy, Haddish got visibly emotional.
The producer of the show told an incredulous Haddish through her earpiece:
"You just won a Grammy."
The 41-year-old comedian thought the whole thing was a joke.
But as the reality of her victory sunk in, the Girls Trip actress asked:
"I just won a Grammy? Are you serious?"
Indeed, the news was real.
After crying happy tears, Haddish regained her composure and explained to the girls why this was an important moment.
"You know a Black woman hasn't won in that category since 1986?," asked Haddish—referring to the year when Whoopi Goldberg won a Grammy for Best Comedy Recording for her 1985 album, Whoopi Goldberg: Original Broadway Show Recording , and became the first African-American woman to receive the award.
One of the girls proudly responded, "Yes, I learned that from Black History Month."
While wiping her tears, Haddish asked her two young co-stars—who were applauding for her—"Can I tell you why I'm crying?"
"It's a lot of bumpy roads that you cross and it's a lot of times you feel like, 'What? Am I doing the right thing? Is this good enough? Am I good enough? Am I strong enough to do this job?'"
"And you just have to believe in yourself as much as you can and against all odds, you just say, 'You know what? I'm gonna put my best foot forward and I'm gonna give the world the best that I've got.' Anything is possible."
Fans celebrated her Grammy win and joined her in her tears.
Haddish previously spoke about the Grammys in December when she revealed she turned down an offer to host the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony because she was told she would not receive compensation.
Not only was she told she would do it for free, but she was also informed she would be responsible for providing her own hair, makeup and wardrobe expenses.
Said Haddish at the time:
"I was like, 'The exposure is amazing but I think I have enough. I appreciate you guys asking. And as much as I appreciate the honor of being nominated, that's not okay."
Harvey Mason Jr., the Recording Academy Interim President and CEO, apologized to the comedian in an Instagram video.
