6 best acceptance speeches that remind us award shows are not always bad

Celebrity award shows have recently felt exponentially more disconnected year after year (just look at the 56% viewership drop at the Oscars in just one rotation around the sun). Rightfully so, most acceptance speeches are your typical “thank you’s” to faceless names and an exposé of celebrities out of touch from reality. A night of stroking their own ego’s and talking political issues they just learned about earlier that week. *cue Ricky Gervais*

However, sometimes, these delightful trophy holders will break the invisible barrier beyond the galas and the dining halls. They may even deliver inspirational and even comedic value to the dreamers and viewers at home.

Here, we share 6 artists and actors whose acceptance speeches contribute to their respective audiences and truly connect with no respecter of persons.

Note: Each paragraph is written to be read subsequent to watching each video. Time stamps have been added to each entry indicating where viewers may skip to the speech portion of each clip.

The 6 best acceptance speeches

21 Pilots – 2017 Grammy Awards: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (0:25)

This is brashly comical first glance at the thumbnail. Lead vocalist Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun stripping their pants to their briefs was met with mixed reactions of arousal and squinty-eyed bystanders (peep some of the audience members raising eyebrows while others shrug it off their shoulders as if to say “it’s the Grammy’s, these things happen”).

Their heartfelt anecdote puts wind into the sails of any artistic hopeful just wading in the water seeking validation. From watching the Grammy’s at home in their underwear to center stage… also underwear, the duo is recognized as lyrical sages of storytelling. This flashback inspires all to be great and to dream great in any field one might choose. 21 pilots are the personification of their own words, “Anyone, from anywhere, can do anything.”

Viola Davis – 2017 Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (2:07)

It has been said by the great British novelist George Santayana, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” This is the vital role stories from the grave and humanity’s past play in consistently building from our forebears. This is the essence of Viola Davis contributing her passion to celebrating the life of so many unnamed role models who have graced this planet without the praise that comes with the limelight.

Almost in congruent fashion to the way technology builds from preexisting hardware and software to make life easier and more efficient, patrons of the arts must build from previous human experience and storytelling. Viola Davis is a pure thespian whose range expands from psychopathic homicide defense attorney (How to Get Away with Murder) to captivating characters in renowned time-piece movies such as The Help and Fences. Mrs. Davis, in the same manner that you are grateful for Denzel Washington for directing and playing opposite you in this role, the world is grateful for your conviction to tell heartwarming and honest narrative.

​Speaking of Denzel…

Denzel Washington – 2017 Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role (beginning)

“Without commitment you will never start. Without Consistency you will never finish.” Frame that, stick it on your wall. Snatch an expo marker, write it on your mirror and recite it to yourself as you fix your hair every morning. A mantra that can only properly be reciprocated with a resounding “Amen!”

As seen in the video, this statement was in acknowledgement to the rising generation of performers, show runners, and creators. Having one of the greatest actors of his (or any) time cosign on your goals and aspirations fills all with hope to join the likes of the names Denzel listed (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Steven McKinley Henderson, and so on). To be a part of a piece that is truly incredible or make an artwork that astonishes is much easier said than done. But to that, Denzel tells us “to keep moving, keep growing, keep learning.” He might even say to look into the eye of the storm of hardship beating our chests with clenched fists and proclaim, “King Kong ain’t got s*** on me!”

Matthew McConaughey – 2014 Academy Awards: Best Actor (1:22)

Matthew McConaughey pays his respects to none other than… Matthew McConaughey. Past, present and future. There is not a soul in the show business who does not associate the coined “Alright, alright, alright,” with this Oscar winner, but fewer are aware that the word “alright,” was his first word ever in a feature length film (Dazed and Confused 1993).

McConaughey reminds the audience that in a world of self-image complexes and curating one’s public persona to appear better than is, our wins are measured by daily improvement, small and incremental as they may be. Improvement not towards getting one-up on your neighbor, but improvement towards the best you. Matthew McConaughey shows that, while we can be our own worst enemy, we can also be our own greatest motivator to push us into our best selves.

Tyler Perry – 2019 BET Awards: Ultimate Icon Award (0:43)

The quintessential product of what you get when you fuse philanthropist with entertainment mogul, Tyler Perry understands the power of his platform. In juxtaposition to the over exhausted acceptance script of, “follow your passions, thanks for the award, have a great night,” Mr. Perry brings down the house by breaking down his intentions that he has carried with him from acting in homage to his mother as Big Momma Medea.

These intentions evolved into building and owning a 330-acre movie studio in Atlanta. A studio that stands on the very grounds that were once run by slaveowners. Safe to say we could all have one or many takeaways from his mindfulness and wisdom. How intention powers our purpose and professional pursuits. Tyler Perry deserves every bit of recognition he receives, the Ultimate Icon Award no exception.

Adam Sandler – 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards Best Male Lead (0:41)

Perhaps no juxtaposition more extreme exists on the internet than Uncut Gems and Adam Sandler’s acceptance speech at the Independent Spirit Awards for his main role in the film. Off the bat with the voice change, the audience knows they are in for a treat. The movie itself was a seat clenching, white knuckle drama following the life of a jewelry dealer in Manhattan’s most lucrative trade section known as the Diamond District. Sandler’s meme worthy delivery should be a template on how to accept an award.

Which of these acceptance speeches is your favorite?