Sheryl Lee Ralph gives powerful speech about the importance of loving yourself and it's everything

"Abbott Elementary" star Sheryl Lee Ralph expressed her gratitude after winning the award for best supporting actress in a comedy series. The actress has left the internet and the academy in awe of her empowering speech upon receiving the award at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards. Instead of the generic thank you speeches, she gave the world some insightful and truthful advice on self-love that people of all ages can put to use. According to TODAY, just before winding up, the original Broadway "Dreamgirls" diva nodded to the camera and addressed the viewers directly. "To all of you watching here, come close to the screen and listen," she spoke with a fierce expression

“People don’t have to like you," Ralph said. "People don’t have to love you. They don’t even have to respect you. But when you look in the mirror, you better love what you see. You better love what you see!” She was met with a thunderous round of applause from both the live audience and for sure from the people watching it on their television at home. The 66-year-old actress entered the room wearing a majestic gold gown to claim the award for her "Abbott Elementary" performance. Ralph shared a portion of her speech mentioning that many people told her early in her acting career that she wasn't talented enough to be successful. However, one such actress did believe in her which had evidently altered her life.

BET reports, “Every mistake, every back break, every ‘No,’ every rejection in an industry that when I was 19 years old was quick to tell me there was no place for me, Sidney Poitier looked at me and said, ‘You're a damn good actress.’” She also spoke of the creator of "Abbot Elementary", Quinta Brunson, saying, “That God could lead me to a moment when a young woman by the name of Quinta Brunson would look at me and say, ‘Ms. Ralph, I'm not sleeping on your talent.’”' She went on further to tell everyone that the cast has been extremely supportive labeling them as, “the best cast on TV.” A Twitter user @virgosgrooviest commented, "one thing about Miss Sheryl Lee Ralph, she’s gonna eat every speech up." @MichelleButeau wrote, "If I'm ever lucky enough to win an award I would want Sheryl Lee Ralph to make my acceptance speech."

As for her glam which turned quite a few heads was styled by none other than her daughter, Ivy Maurice. As per PEOPLE, Maurice tweeted a picture of her mom wearing a bespoke gold strapless dress designed by Haitian fashion designer Jovana Louis. She accessorized the ensemble with gold rings, bracelets, and circular earrings by Misho Designs that complimented the texture of the gown. She kept her beautiful curly hair down with seamless makeup which had a tint of gold around the crease of her eyes to complete the look. However, this isn't the first time when Ralph's fashionable daughter has helped her mom to get all dolled up. 

At the Golden Globes, Ralph told E!'s Laverne Cox on the red carpet that Maurice had accompanied her for the "whole award train" and that she has a keen eye for her mother's style. "My very beautiful daughter, Ivy Coco, who has been on this whole award train with me from the beginning." Adding, "You get my style, Coco. You get me, you get the style, and let's do this. And she's been winning. I've been on every best-dressed list, including The New York Times and I thank my child. Every birthing pain was worth it!"