Playing a serial killer may just be one of the best things to happen to Darren Criss.
The Filipino-American actor just won a Golden Globe for his performance in the show The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story during a ceremony held in Beverly Hills, California today.
Criss couldn’t hold his excitement during his speech at the 76th Golden Globe Awards.
“This is such an honor to be in front of so many incredible people. I feel like I won a fan contest,” he said.
In the show, Criss plays Andrew Cunanan, the Filipino-American serial killer who infamously killed fashion designer Gianni Versace in 1997.
He also won an Emmy in July for the same performance which has been praised by both critics and audiences.
He did not miss the chance to thank his Filipino mother as he celebrated the diversity in last year’s films.
“As we’ve seen, this has been a marvelous year for representation in Hollywood and I am so enormously proud to be a teeny tiny part of that as the son of a firecracker Filipino woman from Cebu that dreamed of coming to this country and getting to be invited to cool parties like this,” Criss said towards the end of his speech.
“So mom, I know you’re watching this, you are hugely responsible for most of the good things in my life. I love you dearly, I dedicate this to you.”
Criss is the son of a Filipino mother from Cebu and an American father from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who is of English, German, and Irish descent.
The actor also thanked his fellow nominees and called them inspirations.
“I’ve admired your work from afar for so long and whether you like it or not, you’re actually kind of a part of this so thank you for your inspiration,” he said.
Other nominees for the Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film include Antonio Banderas for Genius: Picasso, Daniel Brühl for The Alienist, Benedict Cumberbatch for Patrick Melrose, and Hugh Grant for A Very English Scandal.
Naturally, Twitter was filled with #PinoyPride after Criss’ win.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Criss is the first Filipino Golden Globe winner.
@KrisReports shared a gif of Criss to illustrate how Filipinos must feel right now.
Every Filipino watching the #GoldenGlobes when Darren Criss mentions his Filipina mother! pic.twitter.com/CBmZS7HrFV
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) January 7, 2019
“[D]arren criss claiming his filipino side on stage, we’re satisfied,” @Revelacaa simply said.
darren criss claiming his filipino side on stage we’re satisfied
— moomi (@moomicore) January 7, 2019
@glossyrem shared that she appreciated how Criss seemed proud to declare his Filipino heritage.
“[T]he fact that darren criss isnt even fully filipino yet mentioned the way his mom and the filipino culture impacted his life and some half/fully filipino actors dont say shit and isnt even proud to have that blood on them; i love HIM.”
https://twitter.com/glossyrem/status/1082109373407744000
How did you feel when Criss won? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
