It is TV's big day.
On Tuesday, July 13, the Television Academy unveiled the star-studded list of 2021 Emmys contenders. Father and daughter Ron Cephas Jones and Jasmine Cephas Jones did the honors of breaking the exciting news to the world as they listed off the beloved names being honored with a nomination this year. As is the case every year, the nominee pool features Hollywood veterans and first-time Emmy nominees alike with The Flight Attendant's Kaley Cuoco, Ted Lasso's Juno Temple, Hacks' Hannah Einbinder, Hamilton's Anthony Ramos and 20-time nominee Alec Baldwin all garnering nods, to name a few.
While it's definitely exciting to find out who's in the running for an award in September, it's just as sweet to see stars' reactions to the milestone news, especially after a particularly tough year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Still, as they say in Hollywood, the show must go on—and it did for many performers as they brought characters to life and continued to entertain in our socially distant time.
As fans give them a round of applause, keep scrolling for all the candid, unfiltered and priceless reactions from the nominees.
Plus, if you need to catch up on everyone who was nominated this year, not to fret—E! News has you covered with the list here.
"I'm very thankful to the Television Academy for this acknowledgment! Reverberations from Lin-Manuel's masterpiece continue to surprise and delight those of us that were lucky enough to be in the original company. So grateful for the support the film has received from audiences and the team at Disney+. What a morning!"
"It's never lost on any of us at The Voice that getting an Emmy nomination is such an incredible honor. We have so many talented, hardworking people who make this show so special. Top to bottom, the best in the business for almost 500 episodes. We appreciate their hard work getting the highest recognition a television show can receive. On behalf of our superstar coaches, our entire cast and crew, and the most talented singers in the world, we'd like to thank the Academy for this nomination. We'd also like to recognize the other inspiring shows we've been lucky enough to get nominated alongside. Thank you!"
"I'm so overwhelmed by this, especially given what it's for. To be nominated amongst not only peers, but friends, is a dream come true. More than anything, it feels like a true celebration of the legacy of Aretha Franklin. I thank the Television Academy for honoring the Queen of Soul."
"I am deeply honored and completely overwhelmed with gratitude that comes with this recognition. I am grateful to the Television Academy and all its members who champion the creative arts to uplift, inspire, educate and entertain. Funny how when you least expect it, and are inspired by the LOVE and commitment to the craft, all your dreams come true! Thank you, Team Mandalorian! So inspired! So proud!"
"What fantastic news to wake up to this morning! I'm deeply honored to have been nominated for what was a dream role for me, and I'm thrilled for all of my WANDAVISION family for the love they received from the academy. And then to see UNCLE FRANK get recognized as well makes this the happiest of mornings."
"On behalf of the Drag Race family, we are beyond grateful to the Television Academy for recognizing the love and passion that we poured into every frame of season 13. We couldn't do what we do without the unwavering support of ViacomCBS, VH1 and World of Wonder. I have the distinct pleasure of working with the most creative and dedicated cast and crew in television. But the success of Drag Race starts and ends with our amazing queens. It's their tenacity, creativity and vulnerability that tells queer kids everywhere that they are loved and worthy of celebration."
"I am so beyond honored for the my fellow hosts, myself, the entire Queer Eye team to be recognized by the Television Academy for the work and contributions we all love to do and share. Bringing smiles, joy and love to everyone is so important to us. THANK YOU, Thank you, Thank you!!"
"I am in complete shock but feel incredibly humbled and am so grateful for this nomination! I'm tremendously thankful that the show and my amazing cast members were recognized for our work and Misha Green's fearless storytelling. I feel like I'm living my ancestors wildest dreams. It's such an honor."
"Oh my. Gratitude and surprise are running laps in my heart. A full-throated thank you to the nominating body. Thank you for seeing the light in the dark, and the smile in the tears of this character, Atticus Freeman, he is one of my best friends, and I'm glad you all got to meet him as well. Playing this role has changed my life, and this nomination is yet another growing and changing moment. I'd like to offer a deep congratulations to my fellow nominees, I am honored to be listed amongst these incredible artists, all who in such a time offered humanity and respite to a historically chaotic year. Finally, to my Lovecraft Country family, congratulations to each and every one of you, I thank you for your spirits, hearts, fight, and support. Our journey continues…."
"It's a joy to be seen. 12 @televisionacad Emmy nominations for the dazzling group of artists @bridgertonnetflix Another for dreamy lovers in full technicolor, cause they just don't make ‘em like @sylvieslove anymore And 1 happy, tired boy who gets to be a part of it all, Thank you."
"Being part of Below Deck since the beginning has been a wild ride that has been filled with many surprises. Finding out today that we received two Emmy nominations is the most exciting surprise yet. I'm extremely humbled to be a small part of the talented team that actually makes this show what it is and I'm so very proud of everyone."
"Holy f***ing s***. What an incredible honor. Proper dream come true s***. Every part of this show has felt like magic to me. To have the privilege to work on it, to get to make something with this incredible team and now for us to be nominated as a team is just too lovely. Extra special thanks to Jason and Bill for inviting me to be part of this. What a thing...As a cynical English guy I'm struggling to deal with all this wonderfulness. I'm not crying, you're crying. F*** off! You're crying. You ****."
"I can't stop saying WOW. I'm so excited to be nominated for an EMMY with all of these amazing actresses. And to be recognized in this category with my sister, Phillipa Soo, has me crying tears of joy! For me, Hamilton is truly a gift that keeps on giving! Thank you, Television Academy, for providing this opportunity to celebrate our work together again. I am so grateful for this tremendous honor!"
"This is amazing! Thank you to the Academy for this tremendous send-off. It has been such an honor to be a part of this beautiful family for the past three years, and to share this recognition today with Emma, Olivia, Gillian, Helena, Emerald, Tobias, Peter Morgan, and the entire cast and crew of The Crown just means the world."
"I am absolutely thrilled and so over the moon proud of both shows. They were incredible collaborations."
"I am very surprised to be nominated along with many of my hugely talented colleagues. Thank you Emmy voters for your support for the show. The cast, crew and creatives appreciate it very much. I hope we can continue to entertain you with forthcoming seasons. Now I am going to bed with a hot beverage."
"I am THRILLED that ABLSS has been nominated for FIVE Emmys this year! I am so proud of Issa and Yvette on their individual nominations, our editing team of badass women, our Black lady writers' room and our entire cast and crew for the series nomination! The number of Black women who get to add 'Emmy Nominated' before their names is giving me so much joy. We worked incredibly hard at the height of a global pandemic to bring this season to the audience and I was already extremely proud of it, but now I'm simply over the moon! HBO, Jax Media and our producing partners (hello Issa Rae!) are stellar and we can't wait to come back for an even more epic Season 3!"
"It was such a privilege to come to know Aunt Lydia this season as she continues to evolve. I'm deeply honored and grateful to be nominated in the company of my beautiful colleagues. Thank you."
"We got some good news today for The Kominsky Method - 6 nominations. What a joy to finish off three seasons with these well-deserved nominations. A wonderful job by everyone. Thank you all for a great experience."
"I am so thrilled to be recognized by the television academy and am so thankful that season 4 of The Handmaid's Tale has been so widely recognized with many of my castmates and friends along with the show also being nominated. I am especially thrilled for first time nominees McKenna, Maddie, O-T and Max. Eternally grateful to be part of such a special show."
"I am so very grateful for this recognition! This was not expected, and was a great way to start a Tuesday! I am especially grateful to Jen, Lucia, and Paul for creating such a beautiful and brilliant story. And am so excited for Jean, Hannah, and every other nominee with Hacks!"
"I'm so glad that all of the hard work and sacrifices made by everyone in the Top Chef crew has been recognized by the Television Academy, as we filmed this season during the pandemic, fires and civil unrest in Portland. We are lucky to be nominated every season but this nomination is especially meaningful."
"For 15 years, I've been lucky enough to work with some of the most creative, knowledgeable and dedicated people in both the entertainment and restaurant industries, but nothing could have prepared us for the challenges faced shooting Bravo's Top Chef season 18 in Portland last fall. Amidst a global pandemic, raging wildfires and divisive civil and political unrest, our production persevered and evolved. I'm humbled and grateful to sit at their table and celebrate these hard-earned accomplishments. Our six Emmy nominations are the icing on the cake, and the nod for Outstanding Co-Host is the sparkler on top."
"Thank you dear Emmys voters for this compliment! I had the time of my life playing Princess Margaret and now you reward the fun with this! The words 'Pig in S--t' come to mind. I share it with the many skilled and brilliant people who helped me put her together -the crew , Jess Hobbs, Peter Morgan and the wig and Netflix."
"I'm completely shocked and overwhelmed to be nominated for both SNL and Shrill. I immediately thought of the cast, writers, and crew of both shows who helped me at every turn this year. With Shrill ending, this feels particularly meaningful to me, and to celebrate, I will pace around my apartment for the rest of the day."
"I'm extremely grateful and honoured, but I should point out that I was basically carried all the way by my fellow actors - especially Nicole."
"Wow. Trip. Big love to all the Ham fam, specifically nominated and otherwise. How crazy is it that we got to make a thing that continues to resonate with people so much? Does this mean we get to hang out again soon?"
"I could never have dreamed of a moment like this…so surreal! I am so proud of the entire TFA cast and crew for each and every one of these Emmy nods. It is a massive team effort bringing a show like this to life and I'm so grateful to each person involved. Thank you to the Television Academy for this recognition. My heart is exploding!"
"I'm so proud of our show @queereye! We're nominated for Outstanding Host of a Reality or Competition Show for the 2nd time and the Queer Eye team is nominated for 5 more awards including Outstanding Structured Reality Series for the 4th time in a row It's so moving and surreal to be recognized in this way and I'm just so so honored. Thanks so much @queereye @netflix@televisionacad @itvamerica@scout.productions."
"I am honored and humbled to have my work once again be recognized by the academy. I stand at the intersection of art and activism, and I am forever grateful for the healing journey that POSE has been for myself, my colleagues and the world!"