Laverne Cox and Nava Mau share tearful moment at the 2024 Emmy Awards

Laverne Cox was all smiles ahead of the Emmy Awards on Sunday, chatting on the red carpet with icons such as Billy Crystal, Reba McEntire and Jodie Foster.

But the usually bubbly TV host was moved to tears as she hugged “Baby Reindeer” star Nava Mau, who became similarly emotional as they shared a long hug. Both actresses have made Emmy history as trans women: Cox, the first trans person to receive an acting nomination in 2014 for Netflix's “Orange is the New Black”; and Mau, the first trans woman to be nominated for best supporting actress in a limited series this year for “Baby Reindeer.”

“I'm so proud of you,” Cox told Mau, wiping tears from her eyes. “This show is so incredible and the work you do is so amazing. Ten years ago, I was the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy, and ten years later, I won't be the last. You're the fourth (person) and the first in this category. How special is it for you to make history and be part of such an amazing project?”

Mau responded that the trans community is “fighting” to tell stories like “Baby Reindeer” that show trans people in all their humanity.

“That's who we are as trans people: we're people first,” Mau said. “Yes, it's an LGBT show, it's a show with a trans character, and it's also just a really good show. Ultimately, I hope we can be all that we are on screen.”

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