Lisa Ann Walter Presents Sheryl Lee Ralph | Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honors - video Dailymotion

Variety

Watch Lisa Ann Walter Presents Sheryl Lee Ralph | Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honors - Variety on Dailymotion

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00:00Thank you so much to Variety for this wonderful evening of celebration at this most wonderful time of the year.

00:07Thanks Cheryl.

00:12She's like, please stop singing.

00:14For the last four years, I've had the good fortune to play besties with the divinely inspired Cheryl Lee Ralph.

00:25It's from your company.

00:28Many of you have enjoyed her work over her decades long extraordinary career.

00:33And some of you have had the pleasure of working with her on the stage or on a set or with one of her many charitable efforts.

00:42So, you know, she's a good one.

00:47In her Emmy winning portrayal of Barbara Howard on our show, Abbott Elementary.

00:58She has brought to life a character of uniquely genuine faith.

01:05Through every challenge that Barbara Howard faces, her faith remains a constant grounding force.

01:12And in a case of art imitating life, like Barbara Howard, with Cheryl, it's not just a private matter.

01:21Her faith is woven into the way she interacts with others, her patience, her endless ability to lift up those around her.

01:31And I will tell you this from a personal up close perspective.

01:36She is one of God's happiest angels here on Earth.

01:42You can clap.

01:45She doesn't proselytize.

01:49She doesn't speak empty verses.

01:52She will preach beautifully and impassioned.

01:58But it could be about lunch.

02:01Or she could make an inspirational speech to the crew about supporting each other in challenging times, which I've seen her do many, many times.

02:12She does it truly, intentionally and with joy.

02:17Enjoy watching her do just that in a clip from God's favorite show, Abbott Elementary.

02:26All right, everyone, before we feast, we are going to lift up our brother Gregory Eddy in prayer.

02:34We will put healing hands on him.

02:36Oh, no, no, no.

02:37We don't need to do that.

02:39All right, please.

02:41Everybody, bow your heads and close your eyes.

02:49Father God, we are gathered here to celebrate mothers and also to empower Gregory Eddy.

02:56Yes, Lord.

02:57Please, Father, watch over.

02:59What was your mother's name?

03:01It's not necessary.

03:02Oh, sure it is.

03:04It was, um, Faith.

03:07Here we go.

03:08Faith.

03:09Faith.

03:10The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.

03:15Yes, Lord.

03:16Just because he cannot see faith doesn't mean he doesn't have faith, that faith is with him.

03:20Yes, Lord.

03:22I gotta go.

03:23God is watching.

03:25Just close your eyes.

03:27Father God, we are asking that you hold him close in your deepest bosom since his mother is not here to do it herself.

03:36Yes, Lord.

03:37Hold him tight, Lord.

03:38Amen.

03:39Yes, Lord.

03:41There it is.

03:47Gosh, it's a good show.

03:49Cheryl, you are a true visionary in so many ways.

03:52Please come to the stage and accept your award.

04:07I have the faith that sees the invisible, expects the incredible, receives the impossible.

04:35Faith that can conquer anything.

04:43Faith that uproots my problems.

04:51Faith to know God.

04:57God can solve them.

05:02Faith to vision my freedom, my freedom.

05:10Oh, faith that can conquer anything.

05:31Good evening, everybody.

05:41And first, let me say thank you to my friend, my castmate, Lisa Ann Walters.

05:54You know, for taking the time to be here this evening.

05:56You know, we work very long hours.

05:58We are up at 4 o'clock to be on set by 5.30 to be ready to shoot at 7.30.

06:05And it is a grind.

06:07So when somebody asks you to come and be with them after hours, thank you.

06:18I want to thank Variety and the Coalition for Faith and Media for this extraordinary honor.

06:25To be recognized as a visionary for faith and spirituality in entertainment.

06:34Now that's humbling.

06:37Faith has been a guiding light in my life, a constant source of strength, resilience, and hope.

06:48It is that quiet whisper that reminds me who I am.

06:54Even in moments of doubt, and there have been many.

06:59It is that force that has carried me through doors that others said would not be open for someone like me.

07:13Faith has allowed me to stand tall in places where I wasn't always welcomed.

07:18And tonight it is faith that allows me to share this stage with so many faithful storytellers.

07:28Who are lifting up narratives that often go unheard.

07:34In an industry that thrives on the spectacular, it can be hard to make space for something as deeply personal as spirituality.

07:46But faith, real faith, is not about easy answers or glossy portrayals.

07:55It is about the messy, the beautiful, the complicated journey that we all take to find meaning, connection, and purpose.

08:09Faith, it's about stories that reflect our shared humanity.

08:14That honor the questions as much as the answers.

08:20That celebrate the sacred in the everyday grind.

08:29Through my portrayal of the blessed Barbara Howard.

08:34On ABC's Abbott Elementary, a character so lovingly created by our alchemist, Quinta Brunson.

08:48I have tried to honor that journey.

08:52Whether it's in a storyline of the committed teacher inspiring her students and those around her.

08:59Or the woman of faith simply striving to do what is right while embracing change.

09:08I am honored to show the power of faith.

09:13Not just as a belief system but as an action and a way of being.

09:22Because faith is that blessed thing that makes broken wings fly.

09:30I want to thank my family.

09:33I want to thank my team.

09:35I want to thank every creator, writer, and producer in this room who dares to tell stories that shine a light on the soul.

09:51You remind us that entertainment is more than just escapism.

09:56Entertainment is a mirror, a bridge, and sometimes a lifeline like Abbott Elementary.

10:07To those in this room and beyond because the cameras are running.

10:15Those who continue to push for nuanced compelling portrayals of faith in media.

10:23Know that your work matters. You matters.

10:27It is shifting hearts and it is opening minds.

10:31And to the dreamers out there, especially the ones who feel unseen.

10:36Oh, I know what that feels like.

10:39Know this.

10:41Your story matters.

10:45Your voice matters.

10:49And your faith.

10:51Whatever it looks like is enough to move mountains.

10:57And take that from someone who has looked at many mountains and said either you will move or I will have to climb you.

11:13Thank you for this honor.

11:15Let us continue to tell stories that uplift.

11:18Stories that connect.

11:20Stories that inspire.

11:22Together we can ensure that faith and spirituality remain vibrant, essential parts of our shared narrative.

11:33I thank you and God or whatever you believe in or don't believe in.

11:39Let it bless you indeed.

Lisa Ann Walter Presents Sheryl Lee Ralph | Faith and Spirituality in Entertainment Honors

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