The Conversation (0)
X/Getty Images
The 2025 Emmy Awards proved to be a night of record-breaking wins, emotional speeches and unforgettable surprises that kept audiences talking long after the curtain fell.
From Adolescence dominating the ceremony and 15-year-old Owen Cooper making history, to Cristin Milioti's tearful speech and Hannah Einbinder's unapologetic sign-off, the night delivered a mix of heartfelt emotion and unforgettable statements.
Let's recap seven of the night's most memorable moments:
Adolescence's big win
The critically acclaimed streaming drama Adolescence cemented its status as a cultural phenomenon at this year's Emmy Awards, emerging as one of the evening's most celebrated titles.
Adolescence secured a total of eight awards on the night.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
Owen Cooper's heartfelt speech
In a history-making moment, 15-year-old Owen Cooper became the youngest male performer ever to receive an Emmy, recognised for his breakout role in the series.
Accepting the award from Sydney Sweeney in Los Angeles, Cooper admitted, "Standing up here… wow this is so surreal," before adding, "Tonight proves that if you listen and you focus and you step out of your comfort zone, you can achieve anything in life."
- YouTube www.youtube.com
Cristin Milioti delivers speech off the back of therapy notes
Cristin Milioti secured the award for Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series or Movie at the 2025 Emmys, recognised for her role as Sofia Falcone in The Penguin.
Milioti took to the stage, clutching a small slip of paper while fighting back tears.
"I'm sorry, I wrote this on the back of notes I took in therapy the other day, so don't look at the back," she told the audience.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
Hannah Einbinder: 'F*** ICE and free Palestine'
Hannah Einbinder claimed her very first Emmy on Sunday, taking home the award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role in HBO's Hacks.
Closing her speech with a striking message to the audience, she declared: "Go Birds, f*** ICE and free Palestine."
- YouTube www.youtube.com
A surprise appearance... from a Labubu
Spectators were baffled when they saw a life-size Labubu strut down the red carpet – but it turned out to be none other than Joella, best known from the 17th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Standing ovation for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
As it heads into its final season, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert finally clinched its first Emmy for Best Talk Series – a victory that earned a standing ovation before the winner was even announced.
- YouTube www.youtube.com
Gilmore Girls reunion
Fans were treated to a nostalgic moment when Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel stepped onto a stage designed to mirror their Gilmore Girls home in Stars Hollow.
Marking the show’s 25th anniversary, Graham reflected: "Twenty-five years ago, a show called Gilmore Girls apparently took the season of fall hostage."
You should also read...
- Netflix's hit Adolescence series will be shown in schools for this important reason
- Adolescence star drops major bombshell about Netflix show we all got wrong
Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter
How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel
Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
Top 100
