It's Monday, and that sucks. What doesn't suck is remembering that Gina Rodriguez won a Golden Globe for Jane the Virgin on Sunday night and rejoicing in her perfect speech for her perfect show. Not only is this Rodriguez's first Golden Globe nomination — and win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy — but it is also Jane the Virgin's network, The CW's, first Globe. So overall, very exciting day. And while Rodriguez's win was exciting, it was really Rodriguez's inspirational speech at the Golden Globes press room that will win your heart — if she hasn't captured it already.
While in front of a ton of press representatives, Rodriguez was asked what it means to her to represent a show with so many women of color. She responded, "The nomination alone was a win for me because it allowed our culture, it allowed Latinos to see themselves in a beautiful light. It allowed them to see themselves where we all desire to be — invited to the same party." This is just off the cuff, so let that perfect wording sink in.
So for me the win means everything it meant a lot more than just me than just me. When I look up to that screen, and we change the way we feel about ourselves, we change our perception of ourselves by the way art has created such a ripple effect, and if we can create an effect that shows Latinos like the investment bankers, the doctors, and lawyers that exist in my own home, I think it'll change the way young girls and young boys will look at themselves. And I think that that's definitely needed, especially during a time where we have dealt with Eric Gardner and Michael Brown. When we are dealing with a society that that is so diverse, that is so beautiful, and that is so human, we all need to remember that we have the same stories and see them as such.
Rodriguez's comments on diversity and equality rang true throughout the night, where topics of conversation revolved around female roles, diversity in the industry, and freedom of expression.
During another question, Rodriguez described feeling sexy in the most perfect way. "The definition of sexy for me is confidence and strength and independence and class and that's how I feel today."
The most inspirational moment of her press room speech was when she spoke about following your dreams. She got emotional, I got emotional, and probably every reporter in the room suffered from some sort of feels.
When I was a little girl I dreamed of this moment. There's no better way to tell others that they can win too, but by living your dreams. When you dream and you follow your dreams you give others the allowance to do it themselves. So for me it's so exciting to be able to tell someone else, 'Hey don't be afraid to go after it, fear only exist between your two ears, going to take the world, you've got this.'
She's just perfection, right? Watch her entire press room speech below.
Images: Getty Images
