Sheryl Lee Ralph Wows Emmy Viewers, Lizzo With Powerful Acceptance Speech

Sheryl Lee Ralph on Monday won her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and she left an immense impression with her powerful acceptance speech.

The stunned star, who won for her portrayal of Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary, had to be helped to the stage by her table mates. However, as soon as she stepped to the microphone, Ralph took command and made the most of the allotted 30-second speech time.

Ralph, 65, began by belting out lines from the Diane Reeves song "Endangered Species."

"I am an endangered species / But I sing no victim's song / I am a woman I am an artist / And I know where my voice belongs," she sang to an enraptured audience.

Music star Lizzo was among those blown away by Ralph's brief song rendition, which she followed up with an equally emotional speech. Afterward, the cameras cut to Emmys host Kenan Thompson with Lizzo. Before Thompson could even get a question out to her, she sat astonished with mouth open and eyes wide in appreciation for Ralph.

Viewers at home were equally impressed, judging by social media posts.

"This was beyond beautiful! Inspiring! And encouraging! Thank you Sheryl Lee Ralph!" wrote one Twitter user.

"Sheryl Lee Ralph deserves the world," chimed in another viewer in a tweet.

The praise on Twitter continued.

"Well, Sheryl Lee Ralph's instantly iconic #Emmys acceptance event put every other winner on notice to just say "thank you" and leave the stage so as not to provide the anti-climax of all time," read one tweet.

Ralph has been a professional actress for more than 40 years. She found acclaim early in her career when she was nominated in 1982 for a Tony Award for best actress for her role in Dreamgirls.

Some fans watching from home noted Ralph's portrayal of Deena Jones in Dreamgirls.

"The original DREAMGIRL.. (Deena) .. legendary actress SHERLY LEE RALPH won her first #EMMY tonight ! I welled up! Beyond deserving!" one person wrote on Twitter.

Another viewer tweeted, "The first Broadway show I ever saw in NYC was "Dreamgirls" in the early 80's with Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Loretta Devine. All that huge talent on one small stage... It was great to hear and see her win an Emmy tonight!! Congratulations to SLR!!"

On ABC's Abbott Elementary, Ralph plays a veteran elementary school teacher at a fictional school in Philadelphia. The show co-stars Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter and Tyler James Williams.

Abbott Elementary earned Emmy nominations in five different categories, including outstanding comedy series.