‘American Horror Story’ Star Sarah Paulson on Sleeping With the Emmy, Politics of Awards Season (Video)
“One time I took a nap with one and that was a little disconcerting to [its winner],” the actress tells TheWrap in the newest episode of “Drinking with the Stars: Emmy Edition”
Wrap Staff | May 21, 2015 @ 3:01 PM
Last Updated: May 23, 2015 @ 6:27 AM
“American Horror Story” star Sarah Paulson has been nominated for three Emmys over the course of her career, but she said in TheWrap‘s latest episode of “Drinking with the Stars: Emmy Edition” that she won’t be satisfied until she wins one because it’s been a dream of hers since she was a little girl.
“I was one of those girls who dreamt of doing this when I was a really small child. I’ve watched the Emmy Awards for as long as I can remember,” Paulson told TheWrap’s Greg Gilman. “I have a lot of friends who have them, and believe me, I’ve been known to be in the rooms of their houses with these Emmys for a little too long, just stroking them.”
“I think one time I took a nap with one, and that was a little disconcerting to my friend,” she added.
While talent matters to members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, so does the politics of campaigning for an Emmy. Paulson, however, is confident that the strongest performance usually beats even the best campaigns spearheaded by public relations gurus.
“I think it bummed me out only in the beginning when I realized there was any of that that went into it. I had this unicorn magical thought of, ‘The person that deserves it will win it!'” Paulson joked. “And that doesn’t always happen, and sometimes it really does.”
“For every time it doesn’t, there are five times when it does,” she continued. “There is sort of an awakening when you realize that this is a business, and not just a place where you get to go frolic in your imagination and play.”
Paulson stressed that although awards are an honor for any actor, trophies shouldn’t be sought as a means of professional validation.
“I think there is award worship, in general, but I think it’s only negative in terms of what you do with it,” Paulson said. “If you decide without it you’re nothing, or your work has meant nothing if you never win one — there are incredible actors who have never won an Academy Awards or Emmys, who deserve to.”
14 Biggest Snubs and Surprises of 2014 Emmys (Photos)
Surprise: "Silicon Valley" (HBO)
It debuted earlier this year to industry buzz, but that fizzled fast during its first season. Very few people believed that the voters would remember this freshman show.
HBO
Surprise: Ricky Gervais, "Derek" (Netflix)
"Derek" had no buzz, none, not one whisper. Gervais is hilarious in this role, but again no talk at all about him for a nom.
Netflix
Snubs: Andy Samberg and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox)
First, it was a big surprise that freshman show "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and its star Andy Samberg would rule at the Golden Globes. Now, it seemed a foregone conclusion both would be nominated for Emmys.
Fox
Snub: "Girls" (HBO)
Has Brooklyn lost its curb appeal to voters? Is "Silicon Valley" the hot new property for HBO?
HBO
Surprise: William H. Macy, "Shameless" (Showtime)
Macy was an outside possibility for a nom, but this was a field that most believed would include Andy Samberg and possibly Robin Williams.
Showtime
Snub: Tatiana Maslany, "Orphan Black" (BBC America)
She has been a frontrunner since the series debuted two seasons ago. Maslany, who plays several clone characters on the series, was again supposed to be in contention.
BBC America
Snub: "The Good Wife" (CBS)
There were no broadcast network shows nominated in the drama series category, but this one should have been the one exception.
CBS
Surprise: Kristen Wiig, "Spoils of Babylon" (IFC)
Very few experts predicted that Wiig would break through with "Spoils," especially as the show did so little to campaign itself or its stars for awards.
IFC
Snubs: Damian Lewis and "Homeland" (Showtime)
Although last season was a mixed bag, it was definitely eventful. Spoiler alert! Lewis played a main character and was killed last season. Isn't that usually enough to get an Emmy nom?
Showtime
Surprise: Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly" (CBS)
Sure, she was a previous Emmy winner. But, that seemed like a fluke to TV viewers and based more off her burgeoning movie career. She was out last year and this return didn't seem in the cards.
CBS
Snub: Mindy Kaling, "The Mindy Project" (Fox)
It just hurts to be chosen to read the nominations and not be nominated yourself. Ouch.
Fox
Surprise: "The White Queen" (Starz)
"The White Queen" is a deserving candidate, but it aired so long ago. Who knew if the voters would remember?
Starz
Snub: "American Idol" (Fox)
Despite a huge makeover, the series was still unable to take back its space from younger, prettier "The Voice."
Fox
Snub: "Late Show With David Letterman
For the first time since 1983, David Letterman's show didn't get a single nomination. Although it hasn't been nominated for the top variety-series award since 2010, the show always gets something.
Getty Images
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TheWrap rounds up the shoulda, woulda, couldas of the 66th annual awards nominations
Surprise: "Silicon Valley" (HBO)
It debuted earlier this year to industry buzz, but that fizzled fast during its first season. Very few people believed that the voters would remember this freshman show.