Duana’s Best Dressed: Tramell Tillman  - And The Outies

This man looks absolutely incredible – not that there was every any doubt. As far as I’m concerned, this look is straight from the archives of Choreography and Merriment, and the speech that went with it is no less perfect – in rhythm, in cadence, and in its arresting affect: 

“Severance" actor Tramell Tillman has won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series. He is the first Black man ever to win the award #Emmys

— Phil Lewis (@phillewis.bsky.social) 2025-09-15T00:37:21.396Z

“You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for. Do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public.” 

Sometimes certain uncharitable factions, for whatever reason, will characterize actors as walking, talking puppets, who need writers or directors to bring them to life. This is of course ridiculous, but the three sentences above explain why – in just a few seconds, Tramell Tillman has introduced us to his mother and made us love her. “My first acting coach was tough, y’all… but all great mothers are.” That’s charisma, storytelling, and a decisive economy of words, all while looking absolutely incredible and showing us he got his looks and his charm from that same lady. 

The first Black man ever to win the Best Supporting Actor Emmy made history in custom Dolce and Gabbana, and did the best and most difficult thing in that speech – he made everyone remember why they voted for him, and incredibly glad they did, and that he won, in the same moment. 

Well. Maybe not Zach Cherry. I can see John Turturro being generous about it, but you know Cherry’s mad. (OBVIOUSLY I AM KIDDING, THEY KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN. MILKSHAKE IS UNDENIABLE) 

In fact, the other Severance winner of the night, Britt Lower, whose dress looked red on camera but was actually a brilliant copper with creases pressed in (Veronica Leoni for Calvin Klein, as though I knew that)  had either an easier or more stressful competition given that she didn’t share her category with costars – but she definitely copied one Tillman move – she charmed the audience right away: 

There – right there, in pencil, no less – three little words on the back of the tiniest scrap of paper. “Let Me Out” – it’s an easter egg, and it’s so skillfully done! 

This is rarer than you’d think! I got really mad about a Jesse Williams “punchline” earlier in the night referencing meal penalties, because it’s not a joke that plays outside that auditorium – but Britt Lower’s is exactly the opposite – it plays if you know Severance, and remember when Helly R was up in front of an audience like this.  It plays if you vaguely know the concept of the show, but not the details – ‘oh right, this is that show where they’re someone else downstairs!’ and in theory even works if you know nothing, it’s a quirky little question mark… ‘What’s that about? On purpose or did she use the wrong scrap of paper?’ 

Fine, okay, I admit that’s too much! It’s a lot of goodwill, obviously, placed in three pencilled-in words, I get it. But I can’t help it! These people are likeable, they’re aware of what a maelstrom they’re in, and they seem to be able to enjoy the process – all but poor Ben Stiller, who cannot help but look like he has a stomachache at all times, even when surrounded by his gorgeous and award-winning cast: 

Not pictured in that group lineup of beautiful people are Adam Scott, who was unironically anointed with “Whoa, Bro’s fit is fresh” by the 12-year old in my household...

...and John Turturro, who was in fact at the Emmys but seems like he went to another event. That’s not me being shady or implying anything – I mean literally, from the camera angle, the person he’s talking to who doesn’t make an appearance in any other reels…

To the kind young lady who escorted him inside, listening to his story like any good niece…

All in all, the Outies had a good day out – but we’re all terrible people, you and me,  because every single one of us wants to be like “Now get BACK into that horrific fluorescent PRISON and entertain me!” 

You know I’m right. 

P.S. Ask Lainey if she’ll repost a pic of her with Tramell and Zach Cherry from earlier this year. It’s an amazing study in, like, the heights adults can be!